Frogmore House

Tucked away in the lush and serene grounds of the Home Park in Windsor, Berkshire, Frogmore House stands as a testament to centuries of British royal history and architectural elegance. This splendid 17th-century English country house, owned by the Crown Estate, is not just a historic Grade I listed building but also a cherished royal retreat, steeped in stories of the past and adorned with beautiful gardens.

The History of Frogmore House

The Frogmore estate has been under royal ownership since the 16th century, but it wasn't until 1680 that construction began on Frogmore House for tenants Anne Aldworth and Thomas May. The work, believed to be by Hugh May, an architect employed by Charles II, continued until 1684. The house's first royal resident was George FitzRoy, 1st Duke of Northumberland, the illegitimate son of Charles II and Barbara Palmer. After his death in 1716, his wife continued to live there until 1738, followed by a series of tenants, including Edward Walpole.

In 1792, George III purchased the house for his wife, Queen Charlotte. She used Frogmore House as a country retreat for herself and her unmarried daughters, transforming it into a haven where they could indulge in their pastimes of painting, drawing, needlework, japanning, reading, and botanizing. The Queen's passion for botany is reflected in the house's decor, particularly in a room adorned with painted flowers by the artist Mary Moser.

A Royal Retreat

To accommodate its royal inhabitants, James Wyatt was commissioned to enlarge and modernize Frogmore House between 1795 and 1804. Wyatt added a second floor, flanking pavilions to the north and south, and extended the building to include a new dining room and library. Queen Charlotte also had a simpler retreat house built in 1801, now known as Frogmore Cottage.

Upon Queen Charlotte's death in 1818, the house was inherited by her daughter, Princess Augusta Sophia, who lived there until her death in 1840. Frogmore House then became the residence of Queen Victoria's mother, the Duchess of Kent, who made several alterations to the house's decor to suit her tastes. The house was used regularly until the Duchess's death in 1861, with Queen Victoria often visiting and hosting private family functions there. Victoria described Frogmore as a place of peace and quiet, where one could hear the hum of bees, the singing of birds, and the occasional crowing and cackling from the poultry yard.

Recent History

Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Frogmore House was used intermittently. Princess Alexandra gave birth to her first child, Prince Albert Victor, at the house in 1864, and it later became the home of Princess Helena, Queen Victoria's third daughter, and her husband, Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein. They moved out in 1872, and the house saw various uses, including as a residence for Queen Mary's cousin, Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna of Russia, who stayed at Frogmore Cottage after escaping the Russian Revolution.

In the 20th century, Queen Mary took a special interest in Frogmore House, furnishing it with family mementos and keepsakes from the royal yacht HMY Britannia. The house continued to be a venue for royal family events, including the wedding receptions of Peter Phillips and Autumn Kelly in 2008, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018, and Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston in 2019.

Restoration and Modern Use

Frogmore House underwent extensive restoration during the 1980s, revealing lost early 18th-century wall paintings by Louis Laguerre. The restoration also focused on the Green Pavilion, aiming to restore its appearance from Queen Charlotte's time. The work, which included restoring the cornice, dado, and chimneypiece, cost a total of £2.5 million and was completed in 1990.

Today, Frogmore House is used by the royal family for both private and official events. Its beautifully maintained gardens, spanning 33 acres, feature a variety of trees planted by Queen Charlotte and several follies, adding to the estate's charm. The house itself stands as a symbol of the British royal family's enduring legacy, offering a glimpse into the past while continuing to serve as a cherished retreat for the present.

In conclusion, Frogmore House is not just a historic monument but a living part of the British royal heritage. Its walls echo the stories of queens, princesses, and duchesses who found solace and joy within its confines. A visit to Frogmore House is a journey through time, offering a unique insight into the private lives of the British royals and the timeless beauty of their countryside retreat.