King Charles criticised for leaving Frogmore Cottage empty

King Charles is criticised for leaving Frogmore Cottage empty, years after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were evicted from the residence, according to a royal commentator.

The monarch is currently undertaking cost cutting reforms within the Royal Household, exemplified by the recent decision to retire the Royal Train, which has been in operation since 1869 during Queen Victoria's reign.

The historic train is set to be decommissioned before 2-27 due to high maintenance costs and the need for substantial upgrades. 

This move coincides with the Royal Family receiving a static public funding allocation of £86.3 million for the fourth year in a row- an amount now significantly impacted by inflation. 

However, despite efforts to project fiscal responsibility, one notable royal property remains unused-Frogmore Cottage. Robin Edwards, a property buying agent at Curetons, spoke exclusively to GB News, highlighting concerns over the symbolism and practicality of leaving the Windsor estate vacant since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle moved out in 2023.

'Frogmore Cottage has become something of a symbol in the ongoing conversation around the Royal Family's finances and whether they offer good value for money to the taxpayer,' Edwards told the People's Channel. 

He stressed that the empty property sends the wrong message, both symbolically and logistically. 

'It's not just about optics, though, it's also about practicality,' he said. Edwards offered potential uses for the cottage: 'At the very least, the property could be made functional, whether that's through staff housing or short-term accommodation for visiting royal guests,' he said.