After a short-lived attempt to carve out a life in America, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly begun a house hunt in Portugal, sparking fresh speculation about the direction of their so-called “independent” life away from the British monarchy. According to reports, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are eyeing a home in the exclusive CostaTerra Golf and Ocean Club, a new 722-acre luxury community about 81 miles south of Lisbon. The couple is rumored to have spent a whopping $4.7 million on one of the club’s soon-to-be-constructed residences.
This transatlantic real estate move comes as little surprise to some close to the royal family, who have suggested that life in America hasn’t been all the couple envisioned. King Charles’ former butler, Grant Harrold, weighed in on the matter, noting that it might signal the Sussexes are “edging their way back in the direction of the UK.”
“There are plenty of people who relocate to the States, only to realize it’s not what they expected,” Harrold explained. “It’s entirely possible Harry and Meghan are feeling the same way and now want to explore other options in Europe. For them, a move to Portugal might be the beginning of a return to their roots.”
Though neither Harry nor Meghan has openly commented on the motivations behind the purchase, the decision to plant roots in Portugal raises some questions. The country’s climate does resemble California’s, which may appeal to the couple who initially settled in Montecito, but Portugal isn’t just close to home for them — it’s close to the UK. The former palace staffer even suggested it might reflect a softening of their stance toward the monarchy.
Reports indicate that before Harry and Meghan can truly settle in Europe, there’s a legal obstacle to consider: European Union citizenship. Should they succeed, it would allow them to move freely across the Schengen Area’s 29 countries, potentially making travel far easier for the couple and their children. However, it’s yet another hurdle on a path that’s proven far from straightforward since their decision to step down from royal duties.
For now, Harry and Meghan’s business ventures remain in limbo. Meghan’s upcoming lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, has encountered delays, and there’s speculation that juggling these ventures from overseas could create new challenges. “Their business can technically continue from anywhere in the world,” Harrold suggested, downplaying concerns over the couple’s professional future. Still, skeptics point to the rocky state of their recent joint ventures as evidence that their brand may face even tougher challenges once they’re based across the pond.
Then there’s the question of their high-profile Hollywood friendships, connections that helped propel them into the American celebrity sphere. Harrold, however, seems confident that star-studded friendships won’t be lost with an international move. “Friends will visit, just as they do for anyone who moves abroad,” he commented. “It’s unlikely that distance will affect their celebrity network in any meaningful way.”
As the Sussexes look toward Portugal, the American dream may be waning, but the public is watching closely. The pair’s ongoing search for the perfect post-royal identity has seen them jet across continents and launch multiple ventures with mixed success, and this potential move feels like just another twist in their journey. Could this be a step closer to reconciliation with the royal family, or is it merely another attempt to find the life they claim they wanted all along? Only time will tell.
