Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are given the go ahead for a ‘privacy hedge’ and ‘£4,000 hand-built barbecue’ by Windsor Council
PRINCE Harry celebrated his 35th birthday today, and among the many gifts he was sure to have received he has also been granted planning permission for the final finishing touches to his home.
Harry and Meghan Markle have now been given the go ahead for a “privacy hedge” around their home of Frogmore Cottage in Windsor.
The hedge will help to keep the Sussex’s home from view from a nearby footpath, which is open to the public three days a year when Frogmore House is open to visitors.
According to the works also included a £4,000 ‘outdoor seating and cooking area’ with a hand-built barbecue.
And according to a royal source it is “very nearly finished”, although builders have now been assigned three years to complete the works by the council.
The Duke and Duchess had applied for retrospective planning consent for parts of ‘external landscaping works’ after wanting an alternative design to the council-approved garden.
After two months of waiting, plans were official approved by Windsor and Maidenhead council on Friday – meaning that Harry and Meghan won’t have to abandon any previous works.
According to the Express the original application made by the royal couple is not available to the public and the council passed their own deadline for approval – which should have been approved or declined by Wednesday.
Despite the high cost of the barbecue, a royal source has claimed that the outdoor kitchen is “cosy” rather than “grand.”
Speaking to the, they said: “Living in the countryside, the Duchess feels that the outside is just as important as the inside especially in the summer when relaxing in the garden.
“It’s not overly grand, though. Quite cosy really. It’s somewhere to cook and hang out with their friends.”
The royal couple faced criticism earlier this year after it was revealed that a total of £2.4 million of tax payers money had been spent refurbishing the Sussex’s Windsor home.
Harry and Meghan moved into their new home in April, a month before baby Archie Harrison was born.
When the Sun last year revealed their planned relocation, officials tried to downplay the cost, saying it would be closer to £1.5million.
But accounts revealed the refurbishment of the property near Windsor Castle cost £2.4million in the financial year to April alone.
Any work carried out since then has not been included, and the exterior has yet to be repainted — so the true cost is expected to be closer to £3million.
The books revealed major work was undertaken to turn five properties back to a single home.
A luxury kitchen was installed, while an existing studio with a bedroom was renovated, and fireplaces, floors and staircases replaced.
Meghan chose eco-friendly, toxin-free and vegan paint for the redecoration, which was reportedly overseen by designer Vicky Charles.
She was responsible for the interiors of Soho Farmhouse in Oxfordshire, a hotel and members’ club popular with celebs.
It was also revealed the pair had a £5,000 luxury copper bath installed, from Soho House supplier William Holland.
The freestanding bath takes 120 man hours to be hand beaten out and depending on the model that they selected could cost up to £5,000.
In other royal news, Meghan says “amazing dad” Harry inspires her every day in her birthday tribute, sharing a sweet snap of him with Princess Diana.
And we told you shoppers are already flogging Meghan’s Smart Works dress on eBay for THREE TIMES the price.
We also revealed Meghan Markle wears Princess Diana’s bracelet and butterfly earrings as she launches her new clothing line.