Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who stepped back from Royal duties four years ago and relocated to the USA, are rumoured to be expanding their property portfolio with a stunning new holiday home in Portugal.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have reportedly purchased a new residence in Portugal, according to MailOnline, which could potentially grant them a ‘Golden Visa’ for visa-free access to the European Union’s Schengen area.
While unconfirmed, this move could mend Harry’s strained family ties by allowing him to reconnect with his cousin, Princess Eugenie, who also owns a property in Portugal.
Despite the distance, Harry has maintained close relations with Eugenie and her sister, Princess Beatrice, who have provided support amid his familial tensions.
Following last year’s Invictus Games in Dusseldorf, Harry and Meghan visited Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank at their home in the CostaTerra Golf and Ocean Club, located south of Lisbon, enjoying a “short stay” themselves, reports The Mirror.
A move to Portugal could bring Prince Harry closer to his cousin and significantly reduce his travel time to the UK compared to his current base in California.
This could increase the likelihood of him making short, last-minute trips to accommodate a busy Royal schedule, especially after being denied an audience with his father, King Charles, earlier this year due to scheduling conflicts.
Non-stop flights between the UK and Portugal typically take 2 to 3 hours, which would allow the Prince to return home more easily and frequently – potentially easing the ongoing tensions with his brother, Prince William.
Harry has frequently expressed a desire to reconnect with his family in recent years, and a shorter travel distance would also enable him to play a more active role in UK organisations and causes close to his heart – something he is thought to have missed while living in the US.
Unfortunately, security concerns following the withdrawal of his police protection when he stepped down from Royal duties have prevented him from travelling to the UK as often as he would like.
This is also a key reason why he has not travelled to the UK with his wife Meghan and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, due to safety concerns.
