'It's surprising how close people can get': Harry and Meghan install CCTV and new gates at Frogmore Cottage as portable loos are set up on estate for the public to use during £7 day trips

  • Members of the public get to within 10ft of Duke and Duchess of Sussex's private residence in Windsor today 
  • Visitors allowed into grounds of Frogmore House for second day in a row as part of series of charity open days
  • Insiders at historic royal residence say they are surprised that open days went ahead following Archie's birth
  • Portable loos are brought in for public today as well as a marquee with a stall selling cake and hot drinks 

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Members of the public got to within just 10ft of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's private residence in Windsor today as Frogmore House was opened up to visitors for a second day in a row.

Insiders at the historic royal residence said they were surprised that the public open days went ahead at all following the birth of Prince Harry and Meghan's first child Archie just three weeks ago on May 6. 

Kensington Palace would not say whether Harry and Meghan were there but the Duke of Sussex had an engagement with the Queen at Buckingham Palace this afternoon.  

Hundreds of history buffs and royal enthusiasts paid just £7 to access the historic Victorian property as part of its annual open day, and were made to go through airport style security flanked by Metropolitan Police officers.

Portable loos were brought in for the public as well as a marquee with a stall selling cake and hot drinks.   

Visitors found themselves walking very near Harry and Meghan's garden fence (right) at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor today

Visitors found themselves walking very near Harry and Meghan's garden fence (right) at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor today

This diagram shows how near Frogmore Cottage visitors were able to walk and take photos during the open day

This diagram shows how near Frogmore Cottage visitors were able to walk and take photos during the open day 

Frogmore House and its gardens today welcomed visitors on the second of three consecutive open days for charity

Frogmore House and its gardens today welcomed visitors on the second of three consecutive open days for charity

Today, portable loos were brought in for the public (pictured) as well as a marquee with a stall selling cake and hot drinks

Today, portable loos were brought in for the public (pictured) as well as a marquee with a stall selling cake and hot drinks

Day trippers could get close to the royal couple's Victorian love nest once inside the gardens of Frogmore House (pictured)

Day trippers could get close to the royal couple's Victorian love nest once inside the gardens of Frogmore House (pictured)

The cottage was openly visible to the public as they walked past in their droves to access Frogmore House's gardens (above)

The cottage was openly visible to the public as they walked past in their droves to access Frogmore House's gardens (above)

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex with their son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor in Windsor after his birth on May 6

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex with their son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor in Windsor after his birth on May 6

One member of staff at Frogmore House, which today welcomed visitors on the second of three consecutive open days for charity, told MailOnline: 'We were expecting it to be cancelled, but it was given the go ahead. 

'But there are a lot more restrictions in place than previous years for obvious reasons. They've fitted new security cameras outside the cottage and brand new wooden gates. Still, it's very surprising how close the public can get.'

Diana's wedding dress designer visits estate

Princess Diana's wedding dress designer David Emanuel was among the Frogmore House visitors today.

The Welsh fashion designer told MailOnline he had visited many times before, saying: 'I've had a wonderful day exploring the grounds.'

The celebrated designer who made his name with Diana's wedding dress in 1981 was accompanied by a friend.

Once inside, guests found themselves walking very near Harry and Meghan's garden fence. One visitor said: 'It's quite surreal to think they live just there. It is a bit of a worry, anyone could pay £7 to get in here.'

Their sprawling cottage was openly visible to the public as they walked past in their droves to access Frogmore House's expansive gardens.

The 19th century abode, guarded by armed police was half shielded by a thick hedge, was fronted by a wooden gate which remained firmly closed.

One photograph demonstrates just how close the public could come within the parameters of the property. Once inside the grounds, activity could be heard coming from Frogmore Cottage as members of the public walked past with interest. But there was no sign of either Prince Harry or Meghan.

At one stage, a lorry towed a green skip outside the 19th century home, thought to be undergoing further modernisation at the couple's request.

Day trippers were astounded by how close they could get to the royal couple's Victorian love nest once inside the gardens of Frogmore House.

While two pathways which ordinarily link the cottage to the house were closed, passers by could catch a glimpse of Harry and Meghan's private back garden which featured manicured lawns and organic growing meadows.

A map shows the distance between where Meghan, Harry and Archie live at Frogmore Cottage in relation to Frogmore House

A map shows the distance between where Meghan, Harry and Archie live at Frogmore Cottage in relation to Frogmore House

Royal fans could go into Frogmore House (pictured yesterday) for the ticketed event and passed the gatekeeper's property

Royal fans could go into Frogmore House (pictured yesterday) for the ticketed event and passed the gatekeeper's property

Nurses from the Queen's Nursing Institute visited Frogmore yesterday, with the charity saying they had a 'fantastic tour'

Nurses from the Queen's Nursing Institute visited Frogmore yesterday, with the charity saying they had a 'fantastic tour'

Cars are seen driving out of the grounds of Windsor Castle on the Long Walk yesterday while others walk around the gardens

Cars are seen driving out of the grounds of Windsor Castle on the Long Walk yesterday while others walk around the gardens 

Princess Diana's wedding dress designer David Emanuel was among the visitors at Frogmore House today.

The Welsh fashion designer told MailOnline he had visited many times before. 'I've had a wonderful day exploring the grounds,' he said.

The celebrated designer, who made his name after designing Princess Diana's wedding dress, was accompanied by a friend. 

But for many the lure for visiting was the delicious possibility that they might bump into Prince Harry or Meghan Markle, or at the very least get a sneak peak of their fiercely private Windsor love nest. 

Royal enthusiast Olivia Brown, 26, who recently moved to England from New Zealand with boyfriend Sam Kitson, was among the visitors.

'I hoped we would see them but we were just happy to wander around this beautiful house and gardens,' she said.

Mr Kitson said: 'I couldn't believe how close you could get to their house. We came past on a bus. We saw some windows open and a couple of cars on the driveway.'

Miss Brown added: 'I met Meghan very briefly when she came to New Zealand. I shook her hand but forgot to give her the flowers I bought her in a bit of a panic, she seemed really nice - she was much more little in real life.'

She said her love for the royals came from her mother and grandmother. 'I've always found myself drawn to English culture. It's nice following the Royal family because it's something positive.'

Proceeds will be donated to the National Garden Scheme, British Heart Foundation and National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society

Proceeds will be donated to the National Garden Scheme, British Heart Foundation and National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society

Mavis Beldham, who travelled down from Middlesex with friends, said: 'The garden here is spectacular, it's a wonderful place to visit.

She said she was had an interest in the royals after once meeting Prince Andrew in Scotland for an injured jockey's event. 'He was very nice and kind, though he did describe me and my party as a rent-a-mob!'

Another visitor said she was told Meghan and Harry were in today. 'I'm sad we didn't get to see them, though it was incredible to see a glimpse of their house. It looks like they've spent a lot of money on it.'

Not everyone was as complimentary about the couple's abode. One man commented: 'It looks like a gigantic council house.'

Julian Clayton and his wife Elaine traveled 200 miles from East Yorkshire to visit Windsor - and by luck their trip coincided with the opening days at Frogmore House.

'We didn't see Harry and Meghan pushing Archie round in the prom but we have had a lovely day,' Mrs Clayton joked.

'It's my birthday today so I feel really lucky. We only stumbled on this open day by chance yesterday.

'It's a beautiful house with so much history. We really enjoyed the gardens too though the weather hasn't been great.' 

The charity event was a hit with the public with more than 400 cars parked up on the approach to the house yesterday

The charity event was a hit with the public with more than 400 cars parked up on the approach to the house yesterday

Fans were able to wander through the royal gardens as part of a special charity event for the National Garden Scheme
Impressed royal fans took snaps of the gardens

Fans were able to wander through the royal gardens as part of a special charity event for the National Garden Scheme

Each exit was protected by an armed police officer and by a low level fence with a sign reading: 'Private: no admittance'. Dozens lingered at the bottom in the hope of catching a peek at the royal couple and Archie.

However, they were nowhere to be seen - and it is not known if they were there today. One woman pointed out the bed of forget me knot flowers thought to have featured in Meghan's first picture of Archie on the US Mother's Day.

Other royal fans recognised the white pergola in Harry and Meghan's engagement photos. The royal couple, who celebrated their first wedding anniversary on May 19, were the topic of conversation throughout the day.

It was revealed the pair, who held their wedding reception at Frogmore House, hired out a marquee which was erected in front of the property while the historic property was left open free for wedding guests to roam.  

Visitors were gushing in their praise of the gardens yesterday and children could be seen making the most of the mild weather

Visitors were gushing in their praise of the gardens yesterday and children could be seen making the most of the mild weather

The house is defended at all times by armed police and trespassers can be shot on sight for breaching the perimeter

The house is defended at all times by armed police and trespassers can be shot on sight for breaching the perimeter

Asked whether Harry and Meghan were home at Frogmore Cottage, a Kensington Palace spokesman told MailOnline today that she would not comment on their private schedule.

Yesterday, several visitors commented on the sound of planes flying overhead, with some wondering how the newborn royal baby manages to sleep with the constant noise from the nearby London Heathrow Airport.

Harry and Meghan are believed to have splashed out a whopping £50,000 on a soundproofing unit for their new home, in order to block out the noise from the jets - with 14 passing within a mile of the house every 30 minutes.

Despite the noise of planes and the lack of royal sightings, visitors were gushing in their praise of the gardens. The house is defended by armed police and trespassers can be shot on sight for breaching the perimeter. 

Frogmore House and Gardens are only open to the public for three days this week, with proceeds donated to the National Garden Scheme, British Heart Foundation and National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society.

Frogmore Cottage: The history of Harry and Meghan's Grade II-listed two-storey home on the Windsor Estate

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex took up residence earlier this year at Frogmore Cottage, a Grade II-listed two-storey, stucco-faced house sitting in the north of the Frogmore Estate on the Windsor Estate.

The estate is the site of Frogmore House, a beautiful 17th century manor which has been a royal residence since 1792, which was where Harry and Meghan had their evening reception after their wedding in May 2018.

The house was built from 1680 to 1684 by Charles II architect Hugh May on the estates of Great and Little Frogmore, which were bought by Henry VIII in the 16th century and let to various tenants.

Frogmore Cottage is a Grade II-listed two-storey, stucco-faced house sitting in the north of the Frogmore Estate on the Windsor Estate

Frogmore Cottage is a Grade II-listed two-storey, stucco-faced house sitting in the north of the Frogmore Estate on the Windsor Estate

The name comes from the high number of frogs which live in the low-lying marshy area, which is set within a long sweeping curve of the River Thames.

The lease passed through many hands until 1792 when Queen Charlotte, wife of George III, purchased it to use the house as a country retreat for her and her daughters.

It later became the home of the Duchess of Kent, Queen Victoria's mother, who is laid to rest in a mausoleum in the grounds.

Frogmore House was repaired, restored and redecorated in the 1980s, revealing lost early 18th-century wall paintings by Louis Laguerre illustrating scenes from Virgil's Aeneid.

From Queen Charlotte's time in residence, there is the the Mary Moser Room – painted for her by the celebrated flower artist with sprays and garlands of brightly coloured flowers.

The Duchess of Kent's lilac-coloured sitting room is recreated as accurately as possible from how it appears in old photographs from 1861.

There is also the Britannia Room where, following the decommissioning of the Royal Yacht in 1997, the Duke of Edinburgh arranged a selection of items to reflect the interior of the much-loved vessel.

The winding lakes, wooded mounds, glades, walks and bridges around the Grade I listed building were laid out in the 1790s, and include a summerhouse designed as a Gothic ruin.

The grounds include the Mausoleum of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert and the Royal Burial Ground where Harry's great great uncle, the abdicated King Edward VIII, is buried with his wife Wallis Simpson – later Duchess of Windsor.

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Harry and Meghan install CCTV and new gates at Frogmore Cottage

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