Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's "inappropriate" request to live in Windsor Castle after their wedding was "firmly denied" by Queen Elizabeth, according to reports.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex married in 2018, ultimately taking residence at Frogmore Cottage within the Windsor estate.
Located near where the late queen spent a lot of her time, it seemed an ideal location for a growing family.
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However, rumours suggest that Harry and Meghan initially wanted to set up home in Windsor Castle itself, seeking "living quarters could be made available after their marriage."
At the time, living spaces within the castle were reserved solely for the late Queen and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.
Yet, her Majesty "politely but firmly suggested" that they should consider Frogmore Cottage as their abode instead, reports the Mirror.
Renowned Royal writer and historian Hugo Vickers shared with The Times: "There are empty bedrooms and suites in the private apartments which the Sussexes may have had their eye on, or perhaps some former living quarters in the castle grounds converted into other things.
"But I can see how it might not be entirely appropriate to have a young family living there."
The paper revealed that Royal aides consider Windsor "a special place" for the Sussexes, as it's where they tied the knot and celebrated Archie's christening. In her book, The New Royals, Royal expert Katie Nicholl discussed the late Queen's decision to gift Frogmore to Harry and Meghan.
She quoted Lady Elizabeth Anson, who passed away in 2020: "The cottage was a big deal. The Queen's entrance into the gardens is right next to their cottage. It is essentially her backyard, her solitude, and her privacy. She was giving that up in gifting Harry and Meghan Frogmore Cottage. We all thought it was very big of her. She said 'I hope they'll respect it'."
After settling into Frogmore Cottage, the Sussexes welcomed their firstborn, Prince Archie. Then in early 2020, they relocated to California, where they now reside with their son and daughter, Princess Lilibet, born in the US in 2021.
Meanwhile, an expert has shed light on why Harry and Meghan are unlikely to receive an invite to spend Christmas with the Royal Family again. The royals traditionally celebrate the festive season at Sandringham estate, but Meghan and Harry, who live in California with their two children, reportedly haven't been invited to this year's family festivities.
The last time the couple celebrated Christmas with the royals was in 2018, just a few months post their nuptials. The following year saw them whisking their son Archie off to Vancouver Island and it's believed they've spent every festive season since 2020 stateside.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams reckons it's "likely" they won't be extended another invite from King Charles to spend Christmas as a family due to the "huge rift" between them. Speaking to the Express, Mr Fitzwilliams said: "Harry and Meghan spent Christmas at Sandringham in 2017, when they were engaged and Meghan was the first fiancée to receive an invitation, and were also there in 2018. The memories they have shared on a couple of occasions - Meghan in the third episode of the Harry and Meghan Netflix documentary, and Harry on the Today programme - appear to have been fond."
He added: "Unfortunately these are not the only memories they have shared of the Royal Family, and the only sensible thing whilst a rift exists, and it is huge, is not to ask them, which is what has happened this year and what is likely to happen in the foreseeable future."
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