Prince Harry, Meghan's former royal home now a PR headache for palace

King Charles and the royal family have been urged to make use of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s former residence Frogmore Cottage.

A property expert criticised the monarch for leaving the property vacant as he said that it sends the wrong message during a time of economic struggle.

Speaking to People's Channel, Robin Edwards said the empty royal residence has become a symbol of the ongoing debate around the monarchy’s spending.

"When many people in the country are struggling with the cost of living and housing costs in particular, leaving a royal residence empty does little to help the institution's public image,” he said.

Edwards suggested that the property could at least be used for staff housing or as royal guest house.

"At the very least, the property could be made functional, whether that's through staff housing or short-term accommodation for visiting royal guests," the expert said.

"Leaving it sitting vacant seems a massive missed opportunity and risks reinforcing the view that the Royal Family is out of touch with the reality most people are living in."

The cottage was given to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as a wedding present from the late Queen Elizabeth II.

However, in March 2023, King Charles asked the Sussexes, who left the royal family in 2020 and moved to the US, to vacate the property.