Although a royal expert claims it is “sad” Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet are growing up away from their royal cousins, it is believed a home base in Portugal might strengthen relationships between Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and the Royal Family and even help put an end to the estrangement between the Sussexes and the rest of the royals.
The Duke and Duchess’s decision to buy a property in Portugal has been seen by some as a symbol that the couple wish to integrate European life into the lives of their children.
Former BBC royal correspondent, Jennie Bond, told OK! Magazine: “It may well be that with Donald Trump back in the White House, Harry and Meghan might spend more time in their Portugal house, at least in the school holidays.”
Jennie described the sadness of Archie and Lilibet being “estranged” from Harry’s relatives. She explained: “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.”
Reports suggest Harry and Meghan have forked out £3.6million for their Portugal property in a resort dubbed the “Hamptons of Portugal” located just an hour’s drive south of Lisbon on Portugal’s west coast, between Comporta and Melides.
The Sussexes’ purchase of the property was said to have been prompted by Princess Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, who also own a home in Melides, just south of Lisbon and split their time between the UK and Portugal.
However, the expert believes the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and their two young children would be able to forge relationships with their cousins in future having Portugal as a European base home.
Jennie added: “It can only be good for the children to mix with at least some of their royal cousins.”
She further explained: “The Portugal house does suggest that Harry and Meghan want the children to experience European culture, and get to know Eugenie’s kids. Perhaps we shall finally see some pictures of the Sussex brood, playing with their cousins. But, by now, they must be steeped in the Californian way of life and sound like proper little Americans.”
Meanwhile, leading royal commentator, Richard Fitzwilliams, described the couple’s move as highlighting how close Harry and Meghan were to Eugenie and Jack.
Richard said: “It will certainly involve their children and we may see photos of Archie and Lili, in the future, possibly the distant future, we may well see them with Eugenie and Jack and their family. This move obviously advertises that the couples are close.”
The resort where Harry’s new property is located, CostaTerra Golf and Ocean Club, is owned by multimillionaire property tycoon Mike Meldman. Eugenie’s husband, Jack, works for Mike’s Discovery Land Company, which specialises in building luxurious private golf and residential holiday communities across the globe.
PR guru Edward Coram James, chief executive of Go Up, previously told the Express: “Eugenie and Jack are settled and enjoying life there [In Portugal], they might have talked up the location to Harry and Meghan, maybe even recommending the exact area. After all, it’s one thing to move to a new country, but knowing family is nearby can make the transition so much easier.”
