Meghan Markle & Prince Harry’s new Portugal home is ‘shrewd’ as she’s ‘concerned’ Harry will be ‘manipulated’ by royals
MEGHAN Markle and Prince Harry have reportedly bought a new home in Portugal, and it is a “shrewd move”, according to an expert.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have snapped up a luxurious property in Alentejo, Portugal, just a stone’s throw away from Princess Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbank.
As reported by the Mail, the couple plan to set up a base there after being seen in the area last September following the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf, Germany.
A source told Closer: “Buying in Portugal is a shrewd move for Meghan.
“She’s deeply concerned that the Royal Family might manipulate Harry into reintegrating without her, so she needs to be proactive to make sure she’s not isolated or pushed to the sidelines.
“Now, if it is deemed safe from a security standpoint, it’s likely she’ll give her blessing for Harry to take Archie and Lilibet to see their grandpa, King Charles, at some point.
“And in terms of logistics, having a place in Portugal will make that easier, because Meghan can fly over with the kids without feeling trapped.”
Meghan has returned to the UK just twice since the Sussexes stepped down as working royals in 2020.
Both of the visits were in 2022, with the first being the late Queen’s Jubilee and then her funeral.
Prince Harry’s trips have been more frequent, with him doing four visits this year.
In September the Duke of Sussex, 40, made a solo trip to attend the WellChild Awards where he met seriously ill youngsters and their families.
During the whistle stop visit he did not meet up with Prince William and King Charles, according to reports.
The couple – who live with their two kids in California – are said to have splashed out on the home in Portugal after being asked to vacate their former UK home Frogmore Cottage by King Charles two years ago.
It is said to be close to Harry’s cousin Princess Eugenie, Jack, August, two, and Ernest, five months, who are said to be splitting their time between living at the CostaTerra Golf and Ocean Club and their life back in the UK.
The reason for the move is Jack’s job, as he is doing marketing, sales and promotion for property entrepreneur Mike Meldman, who is managing the 300-home development there.
The purchase may allow the Sussexes to acquire a “Golden Visa”, where they would have access to the EU’s Schengen area, reports the Daily Mail.
It will give them a base to stop off at whenever they make transatlantic flights to see friends and family, or make appearances at events.
They stepped down as working royals in March 2020 and have since fuelled a major rift with many members of the Firm thanks to controversial tell-all interviews and Harry’s memoir Spare.
Californian home
The Duke and Duchess purchased their first home together, a sprawling, nine-bedroomed property in Montecito, California, in June 2020 for $14.6 million (£11.2 million).
She’s [Meghan’s] deeply concerned that the Royal Family might manipulate Harry into reintegrating without her, so she needs to be proactive to make sure she’s not isolated or pushed to the sidelines
Closer source
The 16-bath home is located in a star-studded enclave in California and sits on 5.4 acres of land.
Fit for royalty, it features a library, office, spa, gym, game room, wine cellar and five-car garage, it’s believed.
The estate also boasts sweeping lawns, tiered rose gardens, tall Italian cypress trees, blooming lavender, olive trees, a tennis court, tea house, children’s cottage and a pool.
There is even a chicken coop with “Archie’s Chick Inn”, which has rescue hens.
Megxit timeline
- November 2016 – Harry formally reveals he is in a relationship with Suits actress Meghan Markle.
- September 2017 – Meghan tells Vanity Fair the couple are in love and happy together.
- September 2017 – The couple make their first public appearance together holding hands at the Invictus Games in Toronto.
- November 2017 – Prince Charles issues a statement revealing Harry and Meghan are engaged.
- May 2018 – Harry and Meghan tie the knot, becoming Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
- October 2018 – The couple announce they are expecting their first child while on their first overseas tour in Australia.
- March 2019 – Harry and Meghan set up their own household, splitting their joint operation with Prince William and Kate.
- May 2019 – Meghan gives birth to a baby boy named Archie.
- October 2019 – Harry reveals his rift with his brother William in a bombshell documentary.
- January 2020 – The couple stun the Queen by announcing plans to quit senior roles and settle in North America. After ten days of talks at Sandringham, it’s agreed the couple will no longer be working royals and will give up their “Royal Highness” titles.
- March 2020 – Harry and Meghan carry out their last official engagement and move to California.
- September 2020 – Netflix announces a huge deal with the couple.
- February 2021 – Buckingham Palace announces the couple’s split as working members of the monarchy is permanent and they will lose their royal patronages.
- March 2021 – The palace says it is “very concerned” about allegations of bullying made by former staff of Harry and Meghan, launching a probe.
- March 2021 – Meghan tells Oprah Winfrey Archie wasn’t made a prince after “concerns and conversations” about “how dark” his skin would be when he was born. She claims Kate “hurt her feelings” and made her cry before her wedding. Harry says Charles has stopped taking his calls and he has been “cut off” financially.
- January 2023 – Harry publishes his tell-all memoir Spare, launching scathing attacks on William, Kate and Camilla. He says he and William once got into a physical fight over Meghan.
- April 2023 – Harry has a “heart-to-heart” talk with his dad before agreeing to come to the Coronation in London.
- September 2023 – Harry rejects an offer to spend the anniversary of the Queen’s death at Balmoral with his father.
- February 2024 – Prince Harry flies to the UK to be with his father as royal experts claim their four-year rift could be put aside. They meet for half an hour before Harry flies home. He does not meet William.