Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have decided to relocate to Portugal

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have decided to relocate to Portugal, citing that their life in the United States did not turn out as they had expected. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have reportedly invested over $4.7 million (A$7.2 million) in a home that is still under construction at the Costa Terra Golf and Ocean Club, a luxurious development on the Atlantic Ocean. The development, located in the small town of Melides, about 130 kilometers south of Lisbon, will feature 300 properties.

Grant Harrold, the former personal butler to King Charles, suggests that the couple’s rumored move to Europe indicates they may be slowly “moving back in the direction of the UK.” In an interview with the New York Post, Harrold explained, "It’s not unusual for people to leave the US and move back to Europe, and Harry and Meghan could be making the same decision. It’s possible their life in the States wasn’t what they had hoped for, and that could explain why they’re reportedly heading back toward the UK."

Harrold also speculated that the move could signal a desire for reconciliation with the royal family, a notion he had previously discussed in interviews. While the couple’s reasons for choosing Portugal remain unclear, Harrold pointed out that European royals have a long history of living abroad, with figures like Princess Margaret frequently spending time in places like Mauritius. "It’s not uncommon for royals to make their homes outside the UK, and Harry would not be the first to do so," Harrold added.

The couple, who stepped back from their royal duties in 2020, initially settled in Montecito, California. In their Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan, Prince Harry claimed that senior royals were envious of Meghan’s popularity and sought to undermine her, including by allegedly planting negative stories about her in the media. Harry also discussed the expectations placed on those who marry into the royal family, referencing his late mother, Princess Diana, as an example of someone expected to play a supporting role.

In addition to their ongoing efforts to carve out a life outside the royal spotlight, the Sussexes were asked to vacate their UK residence, Frogmore Cottage, following the release of Harry’s memoir Spare last year.

Contact DRP Advisers If you are interested in Portuguese Real Estate.

‍