Prince Andrew’s royal downfall continues to make headlines — and now, it’s not just the scandal surrounding Jeffrey Epstein or his eviction from the grand Royal Lodge that has tongues wagging. Sources close to the royal family reveal that the Duke of York, 65, is reluctantly preparing to move into Frogmore Cottage — the former residence of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle — and his reaction to the new home’s interior is said to be one of absolute disbelief.
Having spent decades surrounded by the stately grandeur of the 30-room Royal Lodge, with its gothic drawing rooms, green-paneled saloon, and oil portraits that seemed to whisper stories of royal history, Andrew is about to face a dramatic change. Frogmore Cottage, though charming and historic, is worlds away from his beloved estate. Its minimalist, beige-toned design — a modern makeover spearheaded by Meghan and her favorite designer, Vicky Charles of Soho House fame — has been described by insiders as “too vibrant” and “shockingly modern” for the prince’s conservative tastes.
The cottage, renovated at a cost of £2.4 million, is said to be filled with neutral shades of “greige,” copper accents, and vegan-friendly paint. Underfloor heating, soundproofing worth £50,000, and sleek lighting fixtures add to the Hollywood-style aesthetic. For Andrew, who prefers dark oak furniture, heavy curtains, and the echo of formality in every room, Frogmore’s open-plan kitchen and modern breakfast bar are reportedly “a nightmare disguised as luxury.”
“Andrew walked in and didn’t recognize the place as part of the royal estate,” a palace insider told The Mirror. “The décor is pure California — all light tones, circular handles, and glass displays. It feels like a boutique hotel, not a royal residence.”
The kitchen — famously shown in Harry and Meghan’s Netflix documentary — is airy and sleek, with pendant lamps hanging over a marble island where Meghan once perched as Harry leaned in for a kiss. Gone are the vintage stoves and grand dining tables; in their place stand smooth lines and minimalist chic. Personal touches like family photos and blooming roses once gave the space a cozy feel, but Andrew’s entry will mark a new era — one that insiders say may feel “alien” to him.
The living room, glimpsed in photos from Lilibet’s first birthday, boasts plush cream sofas, a velvet chaise longue, and soft natural light — a far cry from Andrew’s taste for rich reds and royal blues. For a man accustomed to the weight of history in every room, this “California calm” design might feel more like an exile than a fresh start.
And yet, Frogmore Cottage’s history is undeniable. Once a royal retreat built for Queen Charlotte in 1801, it has been home to generations of royals — from Grand Duchess Xenia to Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank. Now, as the Duke of York prepares to step into its pale-hued halls, the symbolism is hard to ignore: a fallen prince trading opulence for modesty, grandeur for quiet reflection.
Whether this move marks the beginning of Andrew’s redemption or the quiet end of his royal chapter remains to be seen. But one thing’s certain — the moment he steps inside Frogmore’s bright, modern living room, it won’t just be the décor that leaves him reeling. It’ll be the realization that his royal life, as he once knew it, has changed forever.
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