Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are searching for a house in the Cotswolds ahead of a planned return to Britain, according to reports. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex spent several days in early July staying at a private residence belonging to a wealthy friend or associate in the region during their latest visit to the United Kingdom.
Reports cited by the Daily Mail state that the couple have already selected a property in the area. Their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, have reportedly secured places at a local private school ahead of the new academic year.
The couple reportedly plan to return to Britain within the coming weeks before the start of the school term in early September. The precise location of the property remains undisclosed for security reasons.
The Cotswolds is a rural area in south-central England known for its traditional stone villages and private estates. Prince Harry and Meghan previously lived in the area for a period in 2018 before moving away after their home address was exposed.
During their stay in Oxfordshire, Prince Harry visited Highgrove on the southern side of the Cotswolds with his family to meet King Charles. The family also visited Althorp, the estate where the grave of Harry's mother, Princess Diana, is situated.
Very little was made public about the rest of their itinerary during the visit. This led to assessment that their stay was tied to house hunting and making practical arrangements for their children's schooling and routine.
Previous residence and privacy dispute
The Cotswolds holds previous history for the Sussexes, who rented a farmhouse valued at approximately 2.5 million pounds in 2018. The property served as a meeting place for close acquaintances, including George and Amal Clooney, Serena Williams, Alexis Ohanian, Priyanka Chopra, Nick Jonas, and Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland.
That tenancy ended when the location of the house was exposed by aerial photographs taken for a paparazzi agency. Prince Harry launched legal proceedings against the agency and won a court ruling for violation of privacy.
The property currently has another tenant and is considered unlikely to meet the space requirements of a family of four. Real estate contacts in the area reported discreet enquiries regarding luxury rental homes made by individuals connected to the couple as early as October of last year.
High-profile neighbours and royal relatives
The decision to look for a home in the region aligns with the presence of several prominent figures from the couple's social network. Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi now live in the Cotswolds, having previously lived near Harry and Meghan in Montecito, California. DeGeneres has spoken publicly about her life in the area, describing a home with chickens, dogs and horses.
Television executive Simon Cowell also resides in the wider area with Lauren Silverman and their children. Cowell relocated his family to the countryside following repeated burglaries at his residence in London. He has known Prince Harry for years, and both maintain shared social circles in the United States.
Members of the extended royal family also live in the Cotswolds. Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi own a country home in the area. Princess Anne's estate at Gatcombe Park is home to Zara Tindall, her husband Mike Tindall, and their children.
Celebrity interest and regional ties
The Cotswolds has attracted interest from other high-profile figures. Beyonce and Jay-Z previously looked into purchasing an estate in the area covering approximately 58 stremmata with an asking price of around 7.5 million pounds, though the plan was abandoned over flooding concerns.
David and Victoria Beckham own property in the region near Soho Farmhouse. The venue holds personal significance for Meghan, who held her pre-wedding celebration there in 2018.
The relationship between Prince Harry and David Beckham previously experienced tension over reports of disagreements regarding media leaks. David Beckham has since established closer ties with Prince William and King Charles, who recently awarded him a knighthood.
A move to the Cotswolds would place Prince Harry and Meghan Markle close to family members and established friends. Although it remains uncertain whether the property search will lead to a permanent move, the region offers the privacy, education and social environment the family requires.
