Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may be eyeing one UK town with new move
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may be eyeing one UK town with new move
Charlotte Becquart & Conor Wilson & Eleanor TolbertThu, August 20, 2026 at 1:49 PM UTC
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The couple are expected to make the move back to the UK before September -Credit:Getty
A royal expert has revealed two potential locations where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle could be setting down roots.
The couple is set to return to the UK later this month, taking up residence in a non-royal property outside of London, and have already enrolled Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet in British schools. The relocation is anticipated to take place within the next 10 days, ensuring the children can begin classes in time for the new school term. According to the BBC, the Cotswolds and the Northampton area — in close proximity to the Spencer family estate — are considered the frontrunners for the family's new UK base.
During a recent trip to the UK, the family visited the Spencer family estate, spending time at the Grade I-listed Althorp House, the childhood home of Harry's mother, Princess Diana. It comes after Meghan dropped a subtle hint she'd be leaving US weeks ago.
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The sprawling 13,000-acre estate in Northamptonshire, situated approximately six miles from Northampton, has served as the family's ancestral home since 1508.
Royal reporter Tom Sykes believes the Cotswolds stands out as the most probable destination, citing the duke's deep-rooted connection to the region, reports the Express.
Speaking on his The Royalist YouTube channel, he said, "Harry is very interested in the Cotswolds- it's obviously where he grew up.
"He knows the roads around there, he knows the back roads very importantly, he knows the pubs, and he has a lot of friends in the area still."
Sykes also suggested the area could be one of the few locations in the country that would resonate with Meghan, largely due to its sizable community of wealthy Americans. He added, "It's also probably about the only place in the United Kingdom outside of London where Meghan might be able to friend some high-end, or high net worth Americans- because as we know, Meghan didn't like the English very much, did she?"
"She didn't like her experience in England; she found that people were snobby, rude, racist, and that they didn't get her."
Meghan was able to join Harry in the UK in July, accompanied by Archie and Lilibet, as he wrapped up a week-long series of events promoting the Invictus Games.
During the trip, the duke and duchess brought their children to meet the King for the first time in four years at his Highgrove residence, though the couple are not believed to have discussed any plans for a permanent return to the UK during that meeting.
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Nevertheless, the visit itself — which gave the children the opportunity to spend time with their aunts, uncles, and cousins — was deemed "significant" by BBC Senior Royal Correspondent Daniela Relph.
She wrote, "As well as spending time with the King at Highgrove, Harry, Meghan and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet are said to have loved being with the family of Harry's mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.
"The visit to Europe, which included time in Portugal, where they have a home, was described to me as 'such a great time' for the family. It turned a possible move back to the UK into a firm decision."
The family recently visited Althorp House, the childhood home of Harry's mother Princess Diana -Credit:Getty
It is understood there will be no change to Harry and Meghan's role and status as private individuals and non-working members of the royal family.
The King, who is still living with cancer, was reportedly informed of the decision on Sunday, just three days before the public announcement, but is said to be pleased at the prospect of spending more time with the family in both a private and personal capacity.
However, their status will remain unchanged, with the couple not being granted a "half-in-half-out" option when it comes to their roles.
The Sussexes' decision raises the question of how the news will be received by the Prince and Princess of Wales.
William - a future king - is estranged from his brother after Harry levelled a barrage of accusations against the prince, Kate, the King and Queen Camilla in the years since the Megxit crisis of 2020.
Former BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt suggested the surprise return is likely to have left William "apoplectic."
Hunt told the Press Association, "In the long term, the return of the Sussexes to the UK opens up the prospect of two rival courts, William's and Harry's. In the short term, Harry will be able to deepen his rapprochement with his father. And his presence back home will make it harder for his brother to duck a reconciliation.
"The surprise return of Harry and Meghan is likely to have left William apoplectic."
The decision is also expected to ignite discussion about how the British public will respond to the reversal, given the pointed remarks the Sussexes have directed at the royal family and the monarchy as an institution.
A YouGov survey conducted last month revealed that just 22% of Britons view Meghan favorably, while 65% hold a negative opinion of the former actress, with 33% viewing Harry positively and 58% unfavorably.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
