A royal commentator has suggested that Prince Harry might utilise his and Meghan Markle‘s recent home acquisition in Portugal as a getaway spot, particularly to reconnect with pals from the UK.
Discussing the purchase on the Palace Confidential podcast, Richard Eden, Diary Editor at the Daily Mail, suggested: “Maybe Portugal is somewhere where Harry can escape to with a bunch of his mates. He’s lost touch with a lot of old friends as well from Britain but if he says then ‘Come on, why don’t you come join me in Portugal for a few days? ‘”
The couple’s new property is set to serve as a holiday residence rather than replacing their Montecito estate. Interestingly, this move also brings them in closer proximity to one of Harry’s cousins, Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank who possess real estate in Melides, not far from the Sussexes’ European retreat.
While the close proximity of the two properties is intriguing, it remains unclear if this influenced Harry and Meghan‘s decision to buy in Portugal. Richard suggested there could be practical reasons for their choice.
He said: “One thing that is very intriguing is, certainly until quite recently, Portugal had a deal whereby by buying property you could obtain what they were describing as a golden visa. Now that gives unrestricted access through Europe.”
The Sussexes’ decision to purchase a house in Portugal has sparked speculation about Harry’s future relationship with senior members of the Royal Family, given the country’s closeness to the UK. However, Eden also proposed that the new house might be part of a ‘rival royals’ plan by the Sussexes, turning them into “the ‘rival royals’ across the water”.
He explained that the ‘Golden Visa’ could play a role in this, saying: “Acquiring a Golden Visa would help Meghan as she and her husband develop their plans to become the ‘rival royals’ across the water, enabling them to travel easily through European countries.”
“We have already seen them undertake ‘quasi royal’ tours of Nigeria and Colombia. And it may be that Harry’s cousin Princess Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, who also own a Portuguese property, join their rival Royal court.”
While it remains speculation, some Royal observers are hopeful that Prince Harry may eventually return to the UK on a more permanent basis. Earlier this year, Royal commentator Jennie Bond expressed her belief that Harry hadn’t completely severed ties with the British public and could still make a positive comeback.
Speaking to OK!, Jennie said: ” and that he could still return on positive terms.Jennie told OK! : I don’t think Harry has burned all his bridges with the British public. There’s something about Harry that remains quite charming and engaging. His many attacks on his family will never be forgotten… but perhaps they can eventually be forgiven, by enough people, anyway to make him welcome here.”
She added: “He is forging a different way of ‘service’ as he puts it… and that’s the path I think he will continue on while Meghan pursues more commercial activities.”