Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are one of the most recognised couples in the world and until recently, seemed joined at the hip when it came to public appearances. The former Suits actress even previously likened them to "salt and pepper", stating they always "move together".
It's been noted in the past couple of weeks that the pair are spending more time on solo ventures, including Harry's trip to South Africa last month as well as other jaunts to New York and London without his wife. This led to speculation in their local paper - the Montecito Journal - which featured a report on rumours about Harry and Meghan leading "increasingly separate lives".
A source close to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex spoke out on their behalf, to remind people that it's "normal" for couples "to not do everything together", putting to an end the increased talk of a separation.
But the development seems worlds away from the honeymoon period of the couple's early relationship - leading up to Harry and Meghan tying the knot back in 2018 in front of millions of viewers watching at home worldwide. And it reminds royal watchers that the pair's new life in California, where they moved in 2020 when they stepped down from official duties, is poles apart from what could have been...
When they became husband and wife, they moved into Frogmore Cottage on the Windsor estate. However, it is said that the couple had their eyes on a different property which was even grander.
Sunday Times Royal Editor Roya Nikkah said that the pair hoped to live within Windsor Castle itself, as we previously reported.
Windsor Castle has been part of the Royal Family for almost 1,000 years. Several members of the family have resided in the large estate including the late Queen and Prince Philip, the Prince and Princess of Wales, Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.
The estate contains a number of properties, including huge mansions and smaller cottages, all of which were gifted to members of the royal family by the Queen herself.
However, Queen Elizabeth II is understood to have 'firmly rejected' the pair’s request for the property.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex desired to live within the Castle itself and reportedly asked if "living quarters could be made available after their marriage". At the time, only the Queen and Philip had private apartments within the actual castle, with everyone else living elsewhere on the estate.
Writing in the Express, Hugo Vickers said the request may have been declined due to concerns the castle was not appropriate.
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He wrote: "There are empty bedrooms and suites in the private apartments within Windsor Castle 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."
Windsor Castle, which has been the site of a royal residence for centuries, was the favoured home of the late Queen during her later years.
Generations of royals are buried at the site, including the former monarch and her husband Prince Philip.
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