Where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Will Live (and Other British Royal Residences)

According to British newspaper The Sun, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will reside at Nottingham Cottage, a modest two-bedroom cottage located on the grounds of Kensington Palace (in fact, it’s the smallest structure on the property). Harry lived there after his stint in the military, but moved out when Prince William and new bride Kate Middleton moved in after their wedding (the ceilings are reportedly so low that William was constantly bumping his head; there’s also no air conditioning). When the couple moved into a substantially larger apartment within Kensington Palace, Harry moved back in and has lived there ever since. The cottage itself was designed by famed renaissance man Sir Christopher Wren in the late 1600s, and was once home to Princess Diana’s sister Lady Jane Fellowes and her husband Sir Robert Fellowes, the Queen’s former secretary.

When Harry and Meghan furnish their home, will they use IKEA furniture like Prince William and Duchess Kate?

The Sun

also reports “rumours” that Harry and Meghan are eyeing a 21-room apartment within Kensington Palace, next door to the apartment that houses William, Kate and their three children. This will likely be their next move. In fact, Kensington Palace is home to about 50 residents, ranging from assorted royals (including the Prince and Princess of Kent, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke and Duchess of Kent) to royal staff, members of the military and even regular civilians who have enough money to pay the hefty rent required to live at such a posh address.

The big enchilada of royal residences, Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of the Queen and Prince Philip, and will serve the same purpose for Prince Charles when he is eventually crowned king. Located in the heart of London, Buckingham Palace boasts 775 rooms, including 19 state rooms, 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices, 78 bathrooms and even an indoor swimming pool.

Officially, St. James’s Palace is the senior palace of the British monarchy, although these days it is no longer used as a residence for the king or queen, but serves mainly as a space to house offices and host official functions. Commissioned by King Henry VIII in the 1530s, St. James’s Palace is currently the London residence of Princess Anne and Princess Alexandra, the Hon. Lady Ogilvy. In addition, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie of York have an apartment there.

Another of the British monarch’s official residences, the Queen spends most weekends at Windsor Castle (which also served as the site of Harry and Meghan’s wedding). Originally constructed as a fortress for William the Conqueror (who died in 1087), Windsor Castle is today considered the largest inhabited castle in the world, and the oldest castle to have been continually occupied since its construction.

Located about a mile outside Edinburgh, the Palace at Holyrood House is the Queen’s official residence in Scotland, and she has traditionally spent one week per year here, at the end of June. During the Queen’s annual stay, she and Prince Philip host an annual garden party (which was first held there by her grandparents, King George V and Queen Mary) for about 8,000 guests.

Located outside of Belfast, Hillsborough Castle’s primary function is as residence of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. However, the castle also serves as the official residence of the Queen and other members of the Royal Family when visiting Northern Ireland. Despite its name, Hillsborough Castle isn’t technically a castle, but a Georgian-style country house built in the 18th century.

Purchased as a country home for King Edward VII (son of Queen Victoria), Sandringham House is traditionally where the Queen and the rest of the royals spend Christmas, with the Queen typically staying until Ascension Day on February 6. In addition to the main house, there are also several smaller buildings on the property, including: York Cottage (once home to the future King George V and Queen Mary, but now used as offices); Park House (now operated as the Park House Hotel, but famed for being the birthplace of Princess Diana); Anmer Hall (the country home of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge); and Wood Farm (where former spouses and assorted guests are housed during the holidays).

Located in Aberdeenshire, Balmoral Castle is the Queen’s primary residence in Scotland. The property came into the Royal Family during the reign of Queen Victoria, who stayed there with husband Prince Albert and loved it so much they decided to buy it. Realizing it would be too small for their regal needs, plans for expanding the castle were scrapped so a brand new castle could be built while the existing one was torn down, with construction completed in 1856. Of all the royal residences, Balmoral is said to be the Queen’s favourite, and she traditionally spends the months of August and September there.

Birkhall is part of the Queen’s Balmoral estate, and is the official Scottish residence of the Prince of Wales. Previously, it was the Scottish residence of the Queen Mother.

Located in London, just east of Buckingham Palace, Clarence House is the official London residence of Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and is part of St. James’s Palace. Clarence House was also the residence of the Queen Mother, who lived there for nearly 50 years until her death in 2002.

Situated in Gloucestershire, this 18th-century mansion was owned by various aristocratic families until being purchased by the Duchy of Cornwall in 1980. Since 1981, Highgrove has served as the country home of Prince Charles, home of his famed organic gardens.

Located in Wales, Llwynywermod was originally owned by William Williams (a relative of Anne Boleyn) during the 14th century, and was purchased in 2006 for use as the official residence of Prince Charles and Camilla when they visit Wales.

The official residence of Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, Bagshot Park is located within Windsor Great Park in Surrey, England. Nearby is another royal residence within Windsor Great Park, Royal Lodge, which is the home of Prince Andrew, Duke of York. Great Lodge, by the way, previously served as the residence of the Queen Mother.

Gatcombe Park, located in Gloucestershire, is the primary residence of Princess Anne and her husband, Vice-Admiral Tim Laurence. Originally purchased by the Queen as a wedding gift for her daughter upon her marriage to Mark Phillips, the property was later expanded to include the adjacent Aston Farm Aston Farm. After her divorce, Princess Anne held onto Gatcombe Park while her ex received Aston Farm, which remains his residence.

Thatched House Lodge, located in the London borough of Richmond Upon Thames, is the private residence of the Queen’s cousin, Princess Alexandra, the Honourable Lady Ogilvy. The property includes the six-bedroom main house, lavish gardens, an 18th-century two-room thatched summer house (which gave the estate its name) as well as a larger cottage, stables and other structures.

Looking for more on the Royals? Check out 11 of the Most Scandalous Royal Relationships Ever over on Slice.ca.