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Did you know Meghan Markle & Prince Harry's refurbished Frogmore home was once owned by an Indian?
The property which is located on the grounds of Windsor was gifted to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex last year by Queen Elizabeth when they got married. But did you know that Frogmore Cottage has an Indian connection to it?
After carrying out extensive renovations, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry finally have a huge five-bedroom 19th century cottage. The couple who had moved into Frogmore Cottage earlier this year, recently concluded renovations and the house has cost a whopping 2.4 million pounds to the UK taxpayers. The property which is located on the grounds of Windsor was gifted to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex last year by Queen Elizabeth when they got married. But did you know that Frogmore Cottage has an Indian connection to it?
Turns out, that the 19th Century cottage was actually a royal gift to Abdul Karim by Queen Victoria,then Empress of India, as a sign of her affection for her Indian aide and confidant. The estate has its own man-made lake, Frogmore Lake, and is home to the Royal Burial Ground and the tomb of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.
It is also widely recognised and attracted attention because of the 2017 film Victoria and Abdul starring Judi Dench and Ali Fazal playing the lead role of Abdul. Karim, known as “the Munshi”, was an Indian attendant of Queen Victoria. He served her during the final 14 years of her reign. It is reported that Karim decorated the house with various gifts which were handed to him by British royalty.
The overall renovation costs have been paid through the Queen’s annual Sovereign Grant, Buckingham Palace. A source told People magazine, "All fixtures and fittings were paid for by their Royal Highnesses. Curtains, furnishings — all that would be paid separately, paid privately."
