Meghan and Harry Reportedly Don't Have a Staff at Frogmore Cottage

According to fairy tales and Prince Charles's actual life, being a royal would normally include a full staff of cooks, maids, ladies-in-waiting, enchanted animal helpers, and at least someone to handle Instagram. But for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, real life is a little different. According to the Daily Mail, the royal couple and new parents haven't actually hired a staff to run Frogmore Cottage. Instead, they're relying on the generosity of new grandma Doria Ragland.

"They don't yet have a nanny or a team of staff and there's no chef," a source told royal commentator Katie Nicholl. She notes that Ragland has been staying with the couple at Frogmore for several weeks. The source added that she's been "indispensable" to the royal couple, especially with Harry taking official trips and doing royal-person things during his paternity leave.

Before the birth of baby Archie, there were rumors that Harry and Meghan would be unconventional when it came to their staff. There were murmurings of an American nanny or even a — gasp — manny, though none of that seems to have come to light just yet. Instead, it looks like Archie will be living it up in pretty normal circumstances, just like his parents wanted. That means no title and, apparently, no staff.

According to people close to the royals, the fact that Ragland was mentioned during the palace's official announcement was a big deal. It could be a message to everyone just to let them know that Grandma Doria is going to be a big part of Archie's life, whether that's part of royal protocol or not.

"The Duchess's mother, Doria Ragland, who is overjoyed by the arrival of her first grandchild, is with their Royal Highnesses at Frogmore Cottage," the birth announcement read.

At the moment, Doria's one of the only family members to have face time with Archie. During an appearance on Good Morning America, royal expert Omid Scobie noted that Prince Charles hasn't gotten a chance to meet the new arrival just yet. Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, however, have gotten a chance to meet the baby.

"Archie's first week at home with mum and dad was quiet, they wanted that personal space with their newborn," Scobie said. "This week, it's all about the visitors."