The royal family has released their annual financial report, and the numbers are enough to make your head spin. As you might imagine, keeping things running smoothly isn't easy, and it certainly isn't cheap. Before getting into the costs of things, the report reminds readers what the Queen and the larger royal family do for the UK. Members of the royal family participate in over 3,200 engagements a year, both inside and outside of the country. The work of the extended family isn't just to support the Queen but to make the monarchy an accessible institution for people of all ages and all walks of life. Among those helping are Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, whose Frogmore Cottage renovation was listed among the costs.
The Frogmore Cottage renovation was a bit of a controversial subject as it was revealed. Harry and Meghan had already endured some criticism for what many felt was an overabundance of extravagant living. Subjects that have been raised include Meghan's wardrobe and the expensive trips the couple took. Now the cost of the renovation is the latest subject to infuriate taxpayers.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's decision to move from Kensington Palace to Frogmore Cottage was met with a lot of controversy. Many people thought the decision to move was out of a desire to put space between the Cambridges and the Sussexes.
That wasn't the only criticism of Harry and Meghan at the time. Before the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced they were expecting, critics accused the couple of living too extravagantly on the taxpayers' dime.
The move to Frogmore was framed differently by those close to the couple. They maintained Harry and Meghan were looking for more privacy and normalcy away from palace life as they expanded their family.
Initial reports suggested the renovation would be pricey. Representatives for the family scoffed at the idea that the work would cost £3 million, saying the figure would be closer to £1.5 million, according to the Daily Beast.
The royal family's annual financial report has revealed the figures, and they're close to what was originally speculated. The report says that the renovation cost British taxpayers £2.4 million ($3.05 million).
The renovations were very expansive, however. Frogmore Cottage had been used to house staff prior to this, so it was converted from five flats to a single residence.
The Queen's treasurer, Sir Michael Stevens, explained more to AP News. He noted, "The property had not been the subject of work for some years and had already been earmarked for renovation in line with our responsibility to maintain the condition of the occupied royal palaces estate."
He also noted, "The building was returned to a single residence, and outdated infrastructure was replaced to guarantee the long-term future of the property. Substantially all fixtures and fittings were paid for by their royal highnesses."
Town & Country revealed even more about what the renovations entailed. Ceiling beams and floor joists in the Victorian-era structure needed to be replaced.
What's important to note is that Harry and Meghan contributed to the renovations. They paid for furnishings, design elements, and more.
It's also interesting to note that it's not particularly costly in comparison to some other renovations. William and Kate's 2014 renovation of apartment 1A in Kensington Palace cost £4.5 million ($5.7 million) in public funds.
Buckingham Palace is also undergoing renovations. While this year, those renovations cost £2.7 million ($3.4 million), it's only the second year of a 10-year plan that will ultimately cost £369 million ($482.5 million).
Despite the figures being relatively typical considering other royal property projects, critics are still enraged. Many feel that the money is better served on projects that benefit the public and communities in need.
While Harry and Meghan are taking a lot of the heat, the problem is bigger than them. Many people believe that the monarchy as a whole should not benefit from public tax dollars. That conversation has been present for many years and surely will continue over time.
