The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, have made headlines once again with the recent acquisition of a home in Portugal. This move has ignited curiosity and speculation about the couple’s future intentions, particularly in the context of their post-royal lives.
Royal expert and Daily Mail’s Diary Editor, Richard Eden, sheds light on the potential significance of this purchase. According to Eden, the new property could serve as a retreat for Prince Harry, offering him a chance to reconnect with friends from the UK. He suggests that Portugal might be a place where Harry can escape to with his old friends, many of whom he has lost touch with since his departure from the royal family.
However, Eden goes further, hinting at a more strategic purpose behind the move. He believes the acquisition could be a deliberate step towards establishing the Sussexes as ‘rival royals’ in Europe. Eden argues that securing a Golden Visa, which comes with property ownership in Portugal, would grant Meghan and Harry easy travel across Europe, allowing them to pursue their own ‘quasi-royal’ engagements and projects. He cites their recent visits to Nigeria and Colombia as examples of such endeavors.
Eden’s insights also highlight the potential for a closer connection between the Sussexes and Harry’s cousin, Princess Eugenie, and her husband, Jack Brooksbank. Both couples own properties in Portugal, suggesting the possibility of a shared circle of friends and a budding ‘rival royal court’ across the Atlantic.
The advantages associated with the Portuguese property extend beyond social connections. Eden notes that Portugal recently offered a special ‘Golden Visa’ program, which granted unrestricted access to Europe through property acquisition. While the program has since undergone changes, the acquisition still holds significant advantages, particularly in terms of travel and residency within Europe.
The purchase of this Portuguese home represents a new chapter in the Sussexes’ lives as they navigate their post-royal path. While currently residing in California, the couple maintains connections to their British roots. While some commentators remain optimistic about Harry’s eventual return to the UK, this new acquisition adds another layer of complexity to their evolving story, particularly given the potential for building a new royal influence in Europe.