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Prince Harry, Meghan Markle will live in Kensington Palace cottage

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For now

Kensington Palace in Kensington Gardens in London, England.
Kensington Palace in Kensington Gardens in London, England.
Jack Taylor/Getty Images

Prince Harry of Wales and American actress Meghan Markle are slated to marry at the St. George Chapel at Windsor Castle on May 19. Of course, the question that has had Curbed HQ buzzing is: Where will they live?

We already know from the official engagement announcement that the couple’s first shared residence will be Nottingham Cottage on the grounds of Kensington Palace in London. The modest home, nicknamed “Nott Cott” by palace insiders, is located just steps away from the much grander official residence of Prince William and Kate Middleton. But as we get closer to the wedding, the couple is also rumored to be scoping out bigger digs even closer to the their royal sibs.

According to House Beautiful UK, there are hints emerging that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will upgrade to the 21-bedroom Apartment 1 at Kensington Palace, right next door to William and Kate. There are photos of that wing of the palace under renovation since last fall. The Queen is also reportedly giving the pair a royal country house as a wedding gift.

Stay tuned for more on the couple’s real estate happenings. But in the meantime, here’s all the important or otherwise intriguing things we know so far about Nott Cott.

  1. Prince Harry already lives there, and has been since 2013. Markle moved out of her Toronto home in the fall, and the pair has been residing at Nott Cott since. They’ll probably live there until at least their wedding, like William and Kate did.
  2. Reportedly the first thing Prince Harry did upon moving in was install a hammock in the yard.
  3. As one of the smallest properties on Kensington Palace grounds, it’s a true royal starter home. Looks like the couple will be needing small space design tips like the rest of us.
  4. It’s not a tiny home though, because they’re still royals! Nott Cott has two bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchen, and garden. (Note: A floor plan circulating online in reference to Nott Cott is not it, though, as the image can be traced back to a North Carolina retirement community.)
  5. The house was purchased for just £20,000 in 1689 by King William III and Queen Mary II from the Secretary of State Daniel Finch, the Earl of Nottingham.
  6. It features rooms designed by Sir Christopher Wren, one the most famous architects in English history. Wren was known for rebuilding over 50 churches after the Great Fire of London in 1666, including the iconic St. Paul’s Cathedral.
  7. Nott Cott better get ready for some paws. Markle has two rescue dogs, Bogart and Guy. Good thing we’re kind of in a golden age of designer pet furniture.