The Harkles 'Requested' To Hop It From Frogmore Cottage
First they were kicked out of Kensington Palace, and now they are asked leave Windsor
We all know the old proverb, ‘Don’t bite the hand that feeds you,’ means don’t be ungrateful to those who support or help you, yet it seems that Harold, The Overseas Son (TOS) didn’t understand this, or will he blame his lack of education at Eton for failing to teach him this? In his book, SPARE, he blames his lack of education on not knowing the Nazi fancy dress costume was a mistake–no one told or taught him that he claims.
The duo have in their recent whingefest on Netflix, and in SPARE have complained about Nottingham Cottage (too small), the first grace and favour property that was offered to Harold. How do you respond to a pair of ungrateful people who believe they are entitled to more when they had a free home, and with no running costs either inside the palace grounds? In the case of TW, she didn’t do a thing to ‘earn’ the privilege while Harold was gifted the perk as part of his birthright, and all he has done is moan and complain about his sad lot in life. You can have nothing but contempt in this day and age where having a warm home is out of the grasp of many.
An announcement that they were to be removed from Kensington Palace came in October 2018, where the duo were to relocate to Frogmore Cottage in April 2019. The property had been earmarked for renovation, and the duo moved in when the restoration was incomplete but habitable. It remained their official residence until 31 March 2020, when they officially were no longer working members of the Royal Family (basically they then had to pay to retain the property), even though they had left in November 2019. In their exit statement, they stated that that they believed they were entitled to keep the property on the same terms as before, hence why they sought the half in, half out model so that it would retained as an official residence paid for by the public purse.
Reports claimed that the duo didn't want to move, but had desired a larger property in Kensington Palace. The move didn’t appear to be their choice. In his book, TOS claimed that Frogmore Cottage was to be their forever home, yet he knew they could never own it and could be removed with notice. The deal upon leaving was that the duo would lease the property and pay rent at a market rate (although we assume this would have been a favourable rent, just like Prince Michael of Kent in Kensington Palace). As the duo have stated they don’t intend to spend time in the UK (because they hate it and had to escape) the Crown Estate has chosen not to renew the lease and has given them notice to vacate the property. https://www.royal.uk/financial-reports-2020-21
Some claim that the notice was given after the release of SPARE, and that too would be understandable as it was clear that TOS didn’t appreciate the free, and next to nothing accommodation he had been provided all of his life. The decision to repay the £2.4 million refurbishment cost appears to be the grant allocated to them to refurbish the property to their liking. That seemed to be a PR move as there was public discontent where the People were disgusted that public money was given to them, and then they quit their role and have benefitted without the quid pro quo (of serving the country).
Cult fans say that the duo should be compensated for that lump sum, however, it appears that it has been used to offset the rental payments, yet it is also claimed that the then Prince Charles ‘loaned’ the duo the £2.4 million to repay the grant, so technically the duo are not owed anything unless they repaid the grant from their own personal funds. That seems unlikely, as TOS has stated in interviews that he had no money in 2020, and claimed he had been cut off, although it was stated that his father would support them financially for the first year (2020). Therefore, if Charles had paid the £2.4 million on their behalf, the duo are not owed any money back.
Reports claim that they will be permitted to remain until after the Coronation, that is if they choose to attend or if they are invited as much can happen in the next 2 months. However, will they wish to return knowing that the entire world knows they have been told to vacate the premises? It is publicly humiliating, yet they could simply buy another property or find a gullible friend who has a spare house to squat in as they have done before.
More importantly, without an official residence (albeit it was in name only) the argument to remove Harold as a Counsellor of State grows stronger, as the claim was that he had an official residence in the UK and was ‘residentially domiciled’ (whatever that means?). This no longer applies, in fact, it never actually applied IMHO, as it is evident from his own statements that he considers the US his primary residence and home. It was semantics, and the government had not defined what ‘resident in the UK’ meant in terms of being a Counsellor of State (one of the qualifiers). In the literal meaning, it meant that the person lives in the UK, and considers it their primary residence. This was initially inserted as members of the RF would be away at war, and who would temporarily absent, and there were members of the family who were born in Germany and who lived there too a century or so ago.
Some consider the issue resolved by adding Counsellors of State (Edward and Anne), but Harold is still officially listed, which gives him a status that he can use to support his claim for a round-the-clock protection detail. Surely now it is time to remove him until such time that he chooses to return to live in the UK on a permanent basis? As he has said it is unlikely he would ever be a working member of the Royal Family again (and there would be uproar if he was allowed to carry out any duties), then it is unlikely he would ever officially qualify as a Counsellor of State and should be removed to allow others to assume the role.
Many believe Frogmore Cottage should have been released from them earlier, as the property was provided because it was claimed the duo would split their time between the US and the UK, but that is because they had hoped to have their half in and half out deal to keep their perks. The duo have only returned to the UK a handful of times, and appear to have no desire to be in the UK, leaving at the earliest opportunity during each visit. The property merely served as an address where TOS can claim residency for tax purposes, and enables his claim as a Counsellor of State to assist with his claim to have a round-the-clock protection detail.
These are the approximate dates they resided in Frogmore Cottage from 2019-2022, where it is clear, it was not used as a residence after 2019. They may have stayed there longer unofficially, and so the dates are a rough estimate. How will the IRS consider this if Harold has claimed he was resident in the UK for tax purposes?
2019 (approximately 6 months)
April moved in.
August, away for summer.
September, away for Southern Africa tour.
November (mid), left for extended holiday in Canada (but had actually left).
2020 (approximately a month)
Returned in January for about 14 days where TOS had prior engagements to fulfil.
Returned in March for about 10 days to attend final engagements as working members of the RF.
Covid-19 pandemic and a lockdown.
2021 (approximately 2 weeks)
April –Spent about 7 days in the UK for the funeral of Prince Phillip.
June-July – Spent about a week for the unveiling of the Diana statue and to attend a WellChild event.
Covid-19 restrictions still in place for travel.
2022 (approximately a month but not through choice)
Stopped for a night in April on the way to the Invictus Games in the Netherlands.
Returned for the Platinum Jubilee, in June and stayed for about 5 days.
Returned in September (4th) to carry out private engagements in Manchester, Germany, and a the WellChild event in London. The anticipated stay was to be about a week, but ended up being three weeks as the Queen died (8th) and they remained for the funeral and left the day after (20th).
Is Buckingham Palace and the Crown finally taking a stand and defending themselves? Has the penny dropped, and have they finally accepted the duo have been attacking the monarchy and the nation with their words and actions? Until the Sussex titles have been revoked, then taking away Frogmore Cottage isn’t enough because each time the titles are used, abused, and monetised it weakens the monarchy and lines their pockets. It tarnishes the nation, and the monarchy that was once respected, and the only way to reinstate loyalty and respect is to remove that which enables the duo to harm the Crown and the nation.