Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are rumored to have recently bought a luxurious home in Portugal, signaling a possible shift away from their Montecito, California, lifestyle. According to a former palace staffer, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex may have made this decision because life in the U.S. hasn’t fully lived up to their expectations.
Grant Harrold, a former butler to King Charles, hinted that this decision could mean the couple is “edging their way back in the direction of the UK.” Although they’re not moving directly to Britain, Portugal could provide a comfortable halfway point between their current U.S. home and Harry’s native UK. As Harrold explained to The Post, “There’s so many people that move away and move back, so I don’t think there’d be anything unusual about Harry and Meghan leaving the US for Europe.”
Reports indicate that Harry and Meghan have invested over $4.7 million in a property at CostaTerra Golf and Ocean Club, a high-end development located about 81 miles south of Lisbon. The 722-acre private estate offers a coastal atmosphere reminiscent of California’s Montecito but with a European twist, which could have influenced the couple’s decision to purchase there.
The former butler suggested that Portugal’s mild climate and European culture may have also played a role in the couple’s choice, adding, “There’s no obvious reason for choosing Portugal as a location to live, but…Harry would be following in the footsteps of other royals who have done something similar.”
If Harry and Meghan do decide to call Portugal home, they’ll likely face logistical challenges, particularly in establishing EU citizenship, which would enable them to travel more freely across Europe. This move also raises questions about how they will manage their trans-Atlantic business ventures from the EU.
Meghan’s lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, has encountered delays due to trademark issues. Still, Harrold believes the couple’s business ambitions can flourish from any location. “Their business ventures can very much continue wherever they are in the world,” he noted, dismissing concerns about the sustainability of their careers in Hollywood.
Despite moving, Harrold is confident that the couple’s Hollywood friendships will remain intact. “The friendships they have I’m sure they will keep, as it is for anyone who moves abroad, friends will come and visit,” he said.
With a potential new chapter in Europe, Harry and Meghan seem to be redefining their family’s future, bridging their connections between the U.S., the UK, and now Portugal.