The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited the remote Scottish island of Tanera Mor last month during a week-long trip to Britain, The Mail on Sunday has revealed. The couple, along with their children Archie and Lilibet, are believed to have spent two days on the 800-acre island in the Inner Hebrides. The island, owned by hedge-fund tycoon Ian Wace, is said to have inspired the cult British horror film "The Wicker Man."
During their stay, the Sussexes reportedly experienced the island's natural features, including views, wildlife such as otters and seals, and sandy bays. They are also understood to have taken a boat trip around the island's coastline aboard Rita, a vintage Clyde puffer.
Tanera Mor is owned by Ian Wace, a 63-year-old hedge-fund tycoon worth an estimated £600 million. Wace purchased the island nine years ago for £1.7 million and has since invested up to £100 million in developing it into a private retreat for up to 60 guests. His renovations have included planting 100,000 trees, restoring buildings, reviving traditional skills like bee-keeping, and constructing three miles of roads. Visitors to the island are expected to adhere to a strict environmental ethos.
Wace, who has maintained friendships with both Prince William and Prince Harry, reportedly takes measures to ensure guest privacy. According to locals, staff involved in re-wilding projects are removed from the island the day before high-profile guests arrive and return only after they have departed. Access to the island is controlled through jetties owned by Wace, requiring visitor permission.
The Sussexes are thought to have arrived on Tanera Mor on July 8, the day after Prince Harry's High Court privacy case ruling against the publisher of the Daily Mail. They are believed to have stayed in either the North or South Ends of the island, areas offering extreme privacy and featuring renovated croft cottages described as places for 'recovery' and resilience.
Despite the privacy measures, Meghan may have inadvertently revealed the family's location through a series of 12 photos posted on her personal Instagram account under the title 'Summer Holiday.' One particular photo, featuring hills and water, was identified by The Mail on Sunday as being taken near Loch Droma, approximately 25 miles from Tanera Mor along the A835 Inverness to Ullapool road.
Locals in Achiltibuie, the nearest mainland village, noted the heightened privacy measures often associated with important visitors. Rumors of Harry having visited the island previously, and even Prince William, have circulated. Some reports suggest the Sussexes may have also visited the mainland side, using electric bikes available to guests. The renovation and development of the island by Wace have significantly enhanced its amenities.