Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s lives have undergone major transformations in recent years. The couple relocated to the US seeking a more private life, but instead, they’ve found themselves at the center of global media attention. Their travels, which some have dubbed “royal tours” to places like South America and Africa, have only added to the spotlight.
As they explore separate professional ventures—rumored to extend beyond mere business decisions—the couple has purchased a new home in Portugal. This new European residence follows their eviction from Frogmore Cottage last year by King Charles. The move places them closer to the Royal Family, providing their children, Archie and Lilibet, an opportunity to connect with their cousins.
However, Archie and Lilibet are unable to visit the UK due to their parents’ concerns about security. A royal expert has encouraged Harry and Meghan to reconsider, warning that their refusal to reconcile could negatively impact their children’s future relationships with the Royal Family.
The couple, married for over six years, once shared what Meghan described as a “salt and pepper” dynamic. However, rumors suggest their relationship may have taken a turn for the worse. Speculation about a rift in their marriage has been fueled by Meghan’s recent solo appearances.
Although the Sussexes have not officially commented on the rumors, sources indicate the Duchess is feeling the pressure. A source told GB News, “She has really felt the strain in recent weeks, and with all the speculation surrounding her and Harry and their marriage.”
Prince Harry & Meghan Markle’s ‘Professional Split’
“They haven’t done themselves any favours by doing so many separate events but this is what they have decided to do as it works best for them at the moment as a couple and they both feel they can shine at events that are close to their hearts,” the source explained.
The insider added, “But it does upset her that, while Harry was getting praised for all of his appearances, she is getting criticised for what she says, what she wears, etc and it brings back hurtful memories of when she was a royal.”
Despite widespread rumors that the couple is leading separate lives, PR expert Ed Coram James believes this decision might be strategic. Speaking to the Mirror, Coram James stated that the Sussexes had a “distinct brand as a duo for many years.” However, since their controversial Oprah interview, their brand has become “more toxic” and “commercially untenable.”
The PR expert elaborated, explaining that major brands might hesitate to collaborate with the Sussexes because of this. “This is because the ongoing confrontation with the rest of the Royal Family, as well as much of Meghan’s family, have made them appear confrontational and combative, their string of commercial projects that haven’t worked out and have led to a sense that they aren’t the best producers. And their worldwide publicity tour made them look whiney, ungrateful, and unconscious to the enormous privilege that they have enjoyed,” he told the Mirror.
“To overcome the obstacles of appearing spoiled, arrogant, immature, attention-seeking, aggressive, fight-picking, hypocritical, and incompetent is very tricky. But, it is achievable. To do it, they need to lean into the exact opposites of these labels. The first step in this always had to be to dissociate themselves from the brand that had achieved such labels in the first place.”
Prince Harry & Meghan Markle Purchase Property in Portugal
Coram James continued, “When combined, the Sussexes brand is, from a PR perspective, toxic. But, when separate, they have a genuine chance of creating an entirely separate brand, with completely different labels. If they manage to achieve this, then one day they could again reunite brands, and create a new combined brand that works.”
Amid the rumors about their marriage, the couple has opted for privacy, raising their children, Archie and Lilibet, in their $14 million California mansion. Recently, they also purchased a property in Portugal, located in Alentejo, about an hour from Melides.
This location may not be coincidental. Princess Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, own a home in Melides. Reports suggest that Harry’s cousin is one of the few Royal Family members still close to the Sussexes.
Royal commentator Christopher Andersen explained to Fox, “The number of people inside the Royal Family who are willing to proclaim their friendship for Harry and Meghan has dwindled to practically nothing. Somehow Prince Harry’s cousin Princess Eugenie, who has a home in Portugal, has been able to straddle the fence – to remain in the king’s good graces but also not turn her back on the Sussexes. Obviously, Harry and Meghan are very grateful for the loyalty Eugenie has shown.”
He added, “Purchasing a villa in Portugal has more to do with being close to a Royal Family member who is still genuinely fond of them than it does with being geographically closer to Great Britain.”
A Potential Bridge to the Royal Family?
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told the Daily Mail that the Sussexes’ new home “emphasizes that they still have goodwill” with some members of the Royal Family.
“This proves they are close, and it also gives the Sussexes a base in the EU with the possibility of acquiring the Golden Visa, which would give them free access to the EU’s Schengen area. This also gives them a base near Britain,” Fitzwilliams noted.
He speculated that this could lead to “more solo or perhaps even joint visits to Britain, but without participating in royal life or royal rituals at Sandringham and Balmoral.”
“Sad” Impact on Archie & Lilibet
Fitzwilliams emphasized the importance of relationships for Archie and Lilibet, stating, “How curious and sad it will be for Archie and Lilibet if they grow up knowing they are part of one of the most famous families in the world — and yet they are estranged from almost all of them. To know that their grandfather and uncle were both Kings, and they didn’t know them.”
Despite concerns, royal expert Tom Quinn revealed to the Mirror that Meghan is deeply worried her children might “blame her” for not knowing their royal cousins. “A friend of the couple – one of Meghan’s few aristocratic friends from her time in the UK – told me Meghan does miss some aspects of life in the UK and worries that her children will blame her if they never get to see their cousins,” he said.
While it’s unclear whether Harry and Meghan will reconcile with the Royal Family, it’s evident that their decisions could shape their children’s future relationships with their extended family.