Comparing Meghan and Harry's Renovation Costs to Kate and William's: Who Spent More?

Meghan Markleand Prince Harry aren’t the only royals who know a thing or two about home renovation.

The royal couplerenovated the interior of the historic homeearlier this year in anticipation of thearrival of Archie Harrison.More recently, they’ve attended to the outside of the property, redecorating the exterior doors, windows and walls and upgrading some of the outbuildings — while also re-landscaping the garden and adding some extra garden lighting too.

Frogmore Cottage.Shutterstock

Kate MiddletonandPrince Williamalso spent a chuck of the Sovereign Grant on renovations when they moved into their current home at Kensington Palace. It wasrevealed in 2014that more than $5 million was spent transforming offices into an apartment for the Cambridges, with work including electrical services, new heating, hot and cold water, the removal of asbestos and a “simple redecoration.”

Like Meghan and Harry, Kate and William also dipped into their own pockets for a new kitchen and furnishings.

Prince William and Kate Middleton.Samir Hussein/WireImage

A source tells PEOPLE, “If a member of the royal family says, ‘We want a better kitchen than you’re prepared to provide with public money,’ then that would fall to them privately and they would have to meet the cost. If they want that higher specification, they have to pay the extra.”

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Over the past six months, Frogmore Cottage was converted from five small dormitory-style units to a five-bedroom home. Outdated heating and electrical systems were replaced, and new gas and water mains were introduced to the property.

In addition, “a very large proportion of the ceiling beams and floor joists were defective and had to be replaced,” adds the source about the mid-1800s cottage. (Contrary to past reports, there is no “floating floor” yoga studio.)

The end result is that Harry and Meghan now have a cozy — and very private — home to raise Archie.

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“The property had not been the subject of work for some years and had already been earmarked for renovation in line with our responsibility to maintain the condition of the occupied Royal Palaces Estate,” Sir Michael Stevens, Keeper of the Privy Purse told reporters at Buckingham Palace on Monday.

source: people.com