I hope they did actually pay back the money themselves after signing that deal with Netflix and spending a lot of money on a mansion in California.
It wouldn't have surprised me if it was "suggested" that they hand the keys to a young couple who wanted to be in Windsor and were suitable tenants. However a couple of different sources said HM/Crown Estates were initially blindsided by the deal - which does seem to be how Harry and Meghan have operated. But who knows?
At the time it was said they wanted their own space (possibly not being on top of William and Kate) and that they loved Windsor because it was where they spent so much of their "courtship" in privacy.
But then there are also stories of them feeling slighted and upset as well because it used to be a servants house, especially that they didn't get their own court there. It may have seemed like a good idea at first and not worked out well. Although they didn't exactly give it much time and may have already been planning their escape.
The difference between FC and their home in Montecito is pretty apparent, even allowing for a change in country and culture.
It wouldn't have surprised me if it was "suggested" that they hand the keys to a young couple who wanted to be in Windsor and were suitable tenants. However a couple of different sources said HM/Crown Estates were initially blindsided by the deal - which does seem to be how Harry and Meghan have operated. But who knows?
At the time it was said they wanted their own space (possibly not being on top of William and Kate) and that they loved Windsor because it was where they spent so much of their "courtship" in privacy.
But then there are also stories of them feeling slighted and upset as well because it used to be a servants house, especially that they didn't get their own court there. It may have seemed like a good idea at first and not worked out well. Although they didn't exactly give it much time and may have already been planning their escape.
The difference between FC and their home in Montecito is pretty apparent, even allowing for a change in country and culture.