Frogmore Cottage vs Kensington Palace: The Ultimate Royal Home Comparison

The primary difference between Frogmore Cottage and Kensington Palace lies in their scale and location: Frogmore Cottage is a Grade II-listed, 5-bedroom country home situated within the private Home Park of Windsor, whereas Kensington Palace is a massive, historic Royal Palace in Central London containing multiple “Apartments,” including the 20-room Apartment 1A. While Frogmore Cottage was famously renovated for £2.4 million to become a single-family residence for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Kensington Palace serves as a working royal hub housing over 50 residents, including the Prince and Princess of Wales. In 2026, Frogmore Cottage remains a focal point of royal property reshuffling, with reports indicating it may become the new residence for Prince Andrew following his departure from Royal Lodge, while Kensington Palace continues to serve as the primary London base for senior royals and the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection.

Architecture and History of Frogmore Cottage

Built in 1801 under the direction of Queen Charlotte, Frogmore Cottage was originally designed as a retreat for the Queen and her daughters. Located about half a mile south of Windsor Castle in Home Park, the cottage was constructed on low-lying marshland, which famously attracted a high population of frogs—giving the estate its name. Architecturally, it is a Grade II-listed building that reflects the “Cottage Orné” style of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, characterized by its rustic charm and integration with the surrounding landscape.

Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, the cottage served various purposes, from housing members of the royal household to serving as a refuge for Russian royals following the 1917 Revolution. It was notably the home of Queen Victoria’s “Munshi,” Abdul Karim, in the late 1800s. The property’s most significant modern transformation occurred in 2019 when it was converted from five separate staff units back into a single-family home for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. This renovation included the installation of a luxury country-style kitchen, a nursery, and specialized soundproofing to mitigate the noise from the nearby Heathrow flight path.

Architecture and History of Kensington Palace

Kensington Palace began its royal life as Nottingham House, a Jacobean mansion purchased by William III and Mary II in 1689. They commissioned the legendary architect Sir Christopher Wren to expand the property into a palace that would offer a healthier environment than the smog-filled Whitehall. For over 70 years, it was the favorite residence of successive sovereigns, including Queen Anne and George II. It is perhaps most famous as the birthplace of Queen Victoria, who spent her “Kensington System” childhood within its walls before moving to Buckingham Palace upon her accession in 1837.

The palace is a complex arrangement of red-brick buildings centered around several courtyards. It is divided into the State Apartments, which are open to the public and managed by Historic Royal Palaces, and the Private Apartments, which house various members of the Royal Family. Architectural highlights include the King’s Staircase, featuring murals by William Kent, and the Cupola Room, often cited as the most splendidly decorated room in the palace. In the 21st century, Apartment 1A—formerly the home of Princess Margaret—underwent a £4.5 million renovation to serve as the permanent London residence for the Prince and Princess of Wales.

Living Space and Size Comparison

When comparing the interior scale of these two residences, the contrast is stark. Frogmore Cottage is often described in the media as “modest,” but by standard British housing metrics, it is a substantial luxury home. Following its 2019 renovation, it features approximately five bedrooms, a spacious kitchen-diner, a large living room, and a nursery. The total square footage is significantly larger than Nottingham Cottage (where the Sussexes lived previously) but smaller than the expansive apartments found at Kensington.

In contrast, Kensington Palace Apartment 1A is a four-storey residence containing over 20 rooms. This includes two master suites, multiple guest bedrooms, his-and-hers dressing rooms, and three kitchens (one for the family and two for staff). The “Apartment” label is technically a misnomer; it functions as a large, attached townhouse within the palace’s wing. Other residences on the Kensington site vary in size, from the five-bedroom Apartment 10 (home to Prince and Princess Michael of Kent) to the more compact Wren House and Ivy Cottage.

Location and Privacy Logistics

Privacy is the defining factor that separates these two locations. Frogmore Cottage sits within the “Ring of Steel” of the Windsor estate. Because it is located in the Home Park, which is not open to the general public, it offers a level of seclusion that is virtually impossible to find in Central London. The surrounding gardens and proximity to Frogmore House provide a rural atmosphere where royals can walk their dogs or play with children away from the lenses of the paparazzi. However, its location directly under the Heathrow flight path means it is subject to significant noise pollution, necessitating the £50,000 soundproofing installed during the 2019 works.

Kensington Palace, meanwhile, is situated at the western end of Kensington Gardens, one of London’s busiest public parks. While the private residential areas are shielded by high walls and 24-hour police security, the palace is inherently more exposed to the public eye. Residents are often photographed entering or leaving the grounds via the “Palace Gate.” For those who work primarily in London, the location is unbeatable, offering immediate access to the political and social hubs of the West End and Westminster.

The Renovations: Harry & Meghan vs. William & Kate

Both residences have been the subject of intense public scrutiny regarding renovation costs funded by the Sovereign Grant. The Frogmore Cottage renovation in 2019 cost approximately £2.4 million. The works were controversial at the time but were later fully repaid by the Duke of Sussex following his move to the United States. The interior design was reportedly overseen by Vicky Charles of Soho House fame, featuring eco-friendly energy systems and a neutral, modern-country aesthetic.

The renovation of Apartment 1A at Kensington Palace for the Prince and Princess of Wales in 2013-2014 was a significantly larger undertaking, costing roughly £4.5 million. This was largely due to the building’s age and the presence of asbestos, which required a complete “down to the studs” overhaul. The work included new wiring, plumbing, and the restoration of historic features. While the public funded the structural repairs, the couple reportedly paid for the interior furnishings and personal fixtures themselves.

2026 Occupancy and Resident Status

As of late 2025 and heading into 2026, the occupancy of Frogmore Cottage has entered a new phase. Following the eviction of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in 2023, the property has remained largely vacant, though it was briefly used by Princess Eugenie and her family. Current reports from December 2025 suggest that King Charles III has earmarked the cottage as the next home for Prince Andrew, who is expected to vacate the much larger 30-room Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park due to rising maintenance costs and the withdrawal of his private security funding.

Kensington Palace remains a bustling hub in 2026. While the Prince and Princess of Wales have moved their primary family life to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor to be near their children’s schools, they still retain Apartment 1A as their official London residence and office base. Other current residents include the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester (who downsized to the Old Stables), the Duke of Kent at Wren House, and Princess Eugenie, who uses Ivy Cottage as her London base.+1

Security and Public Access

The security protocols for both sites are among the most stringent in the world. Kensington Palace is protected by the Royalty and Specialist Protection branch of the Metropolitan Police. The public can visit the historic State Apartments, but the private wings are strictly off-limits, guarded by both physical barriers and advanced surveillance technology.

Frogmore Cottage benefits from the wider security infrastructure of the Windsor estate. Access to the Home Park is restricted to residents and authorized staff, making it one of the most secure private residences in the UK. Unlike Kensington Palace, Frogmore Cottage is never open to the public. However, the nearby Frogmore House and Gardensare opened for a few charity days each year, usually in May, allowing a rare glimpse into the grounds that surround the cottage.

Practical Information and Planning

How to Visit Kensington Palace

• Location: Kensington Gardens, London W8 4PX.
• Opening Hours: Typically 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Summer) and 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Winter).
• Prices: Tickets for the State Apartments generally cost £20–£25 for adults.
• Transport: The nearest Tube stations are High Street Kensington (District/Circle) and Queensway (Central Line).
• What to Expect: High-security checks, a view of the Sunken Garden (featuring the Princess Diana statue), and world-class exhibitions of royal fashion.

How to View Frogmore (Windsor)

• Location: Home Park, Windsor Castle, Berkshire.
• Access: Frogmore Cottage is strictly private. You cannot see it from public areas of Windsor Great Park.
• Charity Days: Check the Royal Collection Trust website for “Frogmore House Charity Days” in May. These are the only times the general public can enter the Home Park grounds.
• Transport: Trains run from London Paddington to Windsor & Eton Central or London Waterloo to Windsor & Eton Riverside.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Prince Harry still live at Frogmore Cottage in 2026? No, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex officially vacated the property in 2023. They currently reside in Montecito, California, and no longer have a permanent residence in the UK.+1

Who is living in Frogmore Cottage now? As of late 2025, the cottage is unoccupied, though it is widely reported that Prince Andrew is being pressured to move into the property from Royal Lodge.

How many rooms are in Kensington Palace Apartment 1A? Apartment 1A contains 20 rooms spread over four storeys, including multiple reception rooms, nurseries, and staff quarters.

Can you walk past Frogmore Cottage? No. It is located within the private Home Park of Windsor Castle, which is closed to the public and hidden from view by trees and security fencing.

Why is it called Frogmore Cottage? The name comes from the high number of frogs that historically lived in the low-lying, marshy area near the River Thames where the estate was built.

Is Kensington Palace open to the public? The State Apartments and the gardens are open to the public with a paid ticket. The private residences (Apartments 1-10 and the cottages) are strictly off-limits.

How much did the Frogmore Cottage renovations cost? The 2019 renovations cost £2.4 million, which was initially paid for by the Sovereign Grant but later fully reimbursed by Prince Harry.

Which is bigger, Frogmore Cottage or Kensington Palace? Kensington Palace is a massive complex of multiple buildings and apartments, making it vastly larger than the single-structure Frogmore Cottage.

Is Prince William still living at Kensington Palace? The Prince and Princess of Wales use Apartment 1A as their official London office and residence, though they spend most of their time at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor.

How far is Frogmore Cottage from Windsor Castle? It is approximately half a mile (about a 10-15 minute walk) south of Windsor Castle within the private grounds of the estate.

Did Meghan Markle design the interior of Frogmore Cottage? The interior was reportedly designed by Vicky Charles of Charles & Co, following a “modern country” aesthetic preferred by the Duchess.

What is the “Kensington System”? It was a strict and isolated upbringing imposed on the young Queen Victoria at Kensington Palace by her mother and Sir John Conroy to keep her under their control.

Who lives in Wren House at Kensington Palace? Wren House is the residence of the Duke of Kent.

Is there a tunnel between Kensington Palace and other buildings? While there are service tunnels and basement levels, the rumors of a secret tunnel to Buckingham Palace are widely considered to be urban myths.

What happens to Frogmore Cottage if Prince Andrew doesn’t move in? It remains under the management of the Crown Estate and could be offered to other “working” members of the Royal Family or used as high-end rental property for estate staff.