As many know, Prince Harry and Meghan have lived in Montecito, California, USA, since they stepped down as working royals in 2020. The couple moved with their son, Archie and have since welcomed their daughter, Lilibet.
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Throughout the year, there were rumours circulating that Prince Harry was looking for a home in the UK to have a place to stay during his odd visits to his home country. However, recent reports suggest that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have purchased a home in Portugal.
Prince Harry and Meghan allegedly bought a house in Portugal
The Telegraph reports that Prince Harry and Meghan have allegedly bought a house in Portugal, allowing them to have a base in Europe. This would allow the couple to have a place to stay when they make their long journey to visit friends and family.
As per Daily Mail, it is believed that Prince Harry and Meghan made this decision so they would be eligible for the ‘Golden Visa’, which would allow them to travel through the European Union's Schengen area without a visa.
There could be another reason Prince Harry and Meghan chose Portugal to potentially buy a second home, indeed, they have allies in the form of two family members.
Prince Harry and Meghan may want to be close to family
The other reason Prince Harry and Meghan may have chosen Portugal for a second home is because the former’s cousin, Princess Eugenie lives there part-time with her husband, Jack Brooksbank.
Indeed, since the Duke and Duchess stepped down as working royals, they stayed close with Princess Eugenie, who is the only member of the Royal Family to have visited Harry and Meghan in the US. The mother-of-two visited her cousin back in February 2022 when they attended the Super Bowl together.
Moreover, Princess Eugenie is the only member of The Firm to have appeared in Prince Harry and Meghan’s Netflix docu-series, which was released in December 2022. More recently, it has been said that Prince Harry and Meghan visited Princess Eugenie and Jack after Harry attended the Invictus Games in Germany.
As per The Telegraph, the couple allegedly flew from Dusseldorf to Lisbon and then travelled an hour south to the coastal town of Melides, in the Alentejo region, in a ‘mega-secret’ operation.
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told Express he believes Prince Harry and Meghan chose Portugal in order to spend more time with Princess Eugenie and her family:
They [Eugenie and Jack] moved into Frogmore when the Sussexes vacated it, Eugenie and Jack visited them in California and they reportedly holidayed with them in Portugal too.
Now they have bought a house in Portugal where Eugenie and Jack live as he works there and they are likely to see more of each other.
Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank split their time between the UK and Portugal after the latter was offered a job in marketing and sales at the CostaTerra Golf and Ocean Club in Melides, in the Alentejo region.
King Charles ‘happy’ Princess Eugenie and Prince Harry are close
Princess Eugenie and Prince Harry’s connection is understood to particularly delight one person - King Charles. According to royal expert Jennie Bond, Princess Eugenie could be fundamental in bringing the family together and healing the rift. She told OK! Magazine:
Eugenie undoubtedly does have something of a challenge on her hands to maintain good relationships with both Harry and Meghan - and the rest of the Royal Family.
As she continues to support both, Jennie believes King Charles is happy to see Prince Harry get some support from within the family. She explained:
I think the King is probably happy that Harry still has at least one royal cousin he clearly trusts, and presumably wants to see more of.
Additionally, he is happy as he has someone he can ask about Prince Harry. Jennie added:
The family are all so busy that they don’t really see that much of one another. However, I think it’s a positive thing that Charles does have someone he can quietly ask about Harry‘s well-being, if he is so inclined. And Harry can presumably gauge the mood of the family via Eugenie.
Who else may benefit from Prince Harry’s move to Portugal?
Reportedly, the move will also help Prince Archie and Princess Lillibet to build a relationship with at least some of their royal roots. The fact that Prince Harry bought a house instead of just keeping Princess Eugenie’s house as an option for a visit speaks volumes about how often he will visit the place.
This will serve as the perfect opportunity for his kids to get acquainted with their European roots. Jennie said:
It will be good for Archie and Lilibet to spend time with their little cousins, and Eugenie will remain an important link between Harry and the rest of his family.
Read more:
Prince Harry reveals children Archie and Lilibet have been 'blessed' with Meghan Markle's long hair
Royal Family: As Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie step up, can they help Harry and William reconnect?
Netflix announces release date of Polo docu-series, Prince Harry and Meghan face backlash
Sources used:
The Telegraph: ‘Prince Harry and Meghan ‘buy new property in Portugal’
Daily Mail: ‘Harry and Meghan buy a holiday home in EUROPE after Charles asked them to give up their British base Frogmore Cottage: RICHARD EDEN EXCLUSIVE’
Express: ‘Royal Family LIVE: Real reason for Meghan and Harry's Portugal house purchase revealed’
OK! Magazine: Prince Harry trusts just one royal as he paves the way to heal royal rift with new move
