The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, spent a significant portion of their recent summer holiday in Portugal, staying at a luxury development known as the 'Iberian Hamptons.' The couple is believed to have purchased a £6.3 million villa at the CostaTerra Golf and Ocean Club, a private enclave on the Melides coast, which is also a favored residence of Harry's cousin, Princess Eugenie, and her husband Jack Brooksbank.
Meghan shared a series of photographs from the European trip on social media, offering glimpses of their family activities. The images included the couple with their children, Archie and Lilibet, enjoying beaches, a swimming pool, and dining at a local seafood restaurant. The photographs emphasized the family's privacy, with the children's faces consistently turned away from the camera. The location, with its sandy beaches and approximately 300 days of sunshine annually, is often compared to the Hamptons in the United States.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams suggested that the trip likely facilitated time spent with Eugenie and Brooksbank, noting that the couples have maintained a close bond. He indicated that this shared European base could signify the Sussexes' determination to preserve ties with the Royal Family, making their California-based life feel less distant.
During their time in Europe, the Sussexes also visited Althorp, the ancestral home of Princess Diana in Northamptonshire, England. Harry, Meghan, Archie, and Lilibet reportedly laid flowers at Diana's grave and a nearby memorial. Meghan's shared photographs from Althorp included images of Lilibet walking through the estate's tree-lined avenue, Archie barefoot at sunset, and Meghan relaxing on a sun lounger with Earl Spencer and his wife, Dr. Cat Jarman. The presence of their rescue beagle, Mamma Mia, in these images suggests the dog may have accompanied them on their European travels.
Following their European sojourn, the family reportedly had tea with King Charles and Queen Camilla at Highgrove, the King's private estate in Gloucestershire. This meeting was noted as potentially the first time Charles had seen his daughter-in-law and grandchildren since 2022. The visit to Highgrove occurred amidst a period of logistical complexities regarding Harry's accommodation during his trip to the UK, including a withdrawn invitation to stay at Buckingham Palace.