Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly made special security arrangements for their return to the UK as they await a decision over taxpayer-funded police protection.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived in Birmingham on Wednesday and are understood to be staying at a luxurious property in the Cotswolds. Although the couple plan to keep their multimillion-dollar Montecito mansion and Portuguese bolthole, they have not held back when choosing their new British residence.
Royal expert Katie Nicholl revealed that the property offers the privacy Harry and Meghan want as they settle into their new surroundings.
“Harry and Meghan have made it clear that they want to be able to be private individuals. They are not returning as working members of the Royal Family,” Nicholl told Entertainment Tonight.
“They want their children to be able to enrol at their new school and be able to enjoy a private life.”
Nicholl said she had seen photographs of the impressive home but would not disclose its exact location. She described the property as an 18th-century farmhouse set within 83 acres of private farmland, complete with stunning views and a swimming pool.
“What I can tell you is that it’s in the Cotswolds; it’s a very beautiful place; it’s an 18th-century farmhouse; it has a swimming pool and, most tellingly, it’s incredibly private,” she shared.
The estate reportedly has no public footpaths running through or close to it, reducing the risk of curious onlookers disturbing the family. Its size, however, means that an extensive security operation will be required, with Harry currently covering the cost himself.
Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet are also expected to begin school next week, bringing school runs and everyday shopping trips into the family’s routine.
The Cotswolds has long been popular with celebrities and wealthy residents, while its local shops are known for their expensive products. In fact, Meghan’s luxury fruit spread is said to cost less than a similar jar of jam available in the Sussexes’ new neighbourhood.
