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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly taken another significant step in building their lives apart from the Royal Family, purchasing a new holiday home in Portugal valued at £3.6 million. While some see the move as a fresh start, a PR expert believes it is unlikely to improve relations with the British royal family and may, in fact, add strain if interpreted in certain ways.
Public relations specialist Edward Coram James weighed in on the development, explaining that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s decision to establish another residence away from the UK could be perceived as an assertion of their independence. “I think it’s unlikely to directly affect relations with King Charles and Prince William. Harry and Meghan’s relationship with the rest of the royal family has been strained for years now. A home in Portugal probably won’t be a major factor in healing or worsening the situation,” Coram James told The Express.
The Duke and Duchess’s relationship with the rest of the royal family has indeed been rocky since their departure from royal duties and subsequent move to the United States. Their series of interviews and projects, including Harry’s memoir Spare, only deepened the divide, leading many royal watchers to view each new step they take independently as a further divergence from their former lives in the UK.
James remarked that the recent real estate purchase could simply symbolize the “geographic and emotional distance” that already exists. “They’ve already created so much distance — geographically and emotionally — so this move could just be another sign of their increasing independence,” he noted.
However, James also raised the possibility that within royal circles, the purchase might be perceived differently. “If the purchase is seen as yet another example of their desire to remain outside the ‘royal bubble,’ it could raise eyebrows within royal circles,” he suggested, adding that it might come across as the couple “turning their backs” even further on the UK. “It could look like Meghan and Harry ‘turning their backs’ further on the UK — although I don’t think this is true.”
The decision to purchase a home in Portugal was reportedly influenced by Princess Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, who also have a residence in the same area. Prince Harry has maintained a close friendship with Eugenie, who is said to be one of the family members he and Meghan are still in regular contact with. Having a home in proximity to Eugenie’s may indicate an effort to foster that relationship, even as they maintain their lives outside the monarchy’s day-to-day operations.
While Prince Harry and Meghan’s new holiday home is unlikely to directly impact their standing with the royal family, its symbolism may reinforce their commitment to a path outside the traditional royal sphere. With their lives increasingly rooted outside the UK, it’s clear that the Sussexes are committed to cultivating a lifestyle and image that reflects their priorities — albeit at the risk of further straining their already fragile relationship with the British monarchy.
