07-09-20, 18:13
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Re: Prince Harry & Meghan Pay Back UK £2.4mil After £112m Netflix Megadeal
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Pay Back £2.4m for Frogmore After £112m Netflix Megadeal
Harry and Meghan came under fire for renovating the property after moving out of Kensington Palace, only to quit the royal family and head off for a new life in America
The Telegraph UK, 7 SEP 2020.
Frogmore Cottage was renovated to the tune of £2.4m (Image: PA)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have paid back the cash taxpayers shelled out for their Frogmore Cottage apartment, the couple announced today.
Harry and Meghan came under fire for renovating the property at public expense after moving out of Kensington Palace.
Just months later they quit the royal family and moved to North America, first heading to Canada before settling in the US.
Today's statement comes days after couple announced a major deal with Netflix, reported to be worth £112 million, to make documentaries and children's shows.
It was initially thought it would take them 11 years to pay back the huge sum.
Harry and Meghan came under fire over the cost of the renovation (Image: Getty Images)
A spokesman for The Duke and Duchess of Sussex said:
“A contribution has been made to the Sovereign Grant by The Duke of Sussex.
"This contribution, as originally offered by Prince Harry, has fully covered the necessary renovation costs of Frogmore Cottage, a property of Her Majesty The Queen, and will remain the UK residence of The Duke and his family.”
Last year's royal accounts showed the cost of the renovations - paid for from taxpayers' money - was £2.4 million.
Harry and the Duchess of Sussex agreed to pay back the money as part of the plans drawn up when they quit as senior working royals in March.
A statement from the couple said the cost of the renovation has been paid back (Image: UK Press via Getty Images)
It was initially believed that they would be paying back an estimated £18,000 per month - meaning it would take 11 years to settle the bill.
The payment of the whole sum was made possible thanks to the couple's multi-million pound Netflix deal, a source said.
Meghan, 38, is understood to have chosen eco-friendly, toxin-free, vegan paint for the walls.
Five apartments were knocked together to re-form the cottage, while beams, floors and the water and gas systems were replaced.
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