Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's reported return to the United Kingdom is eliciting a cautious response from locals in the North Cotswolds, an area where the couple is reportedly house hunting. Royal commentator Kinsey Schofield told Page Six that the "chattering class" in the region is "not overly excited" about the prospect of their arrival.
Schofield explained that the Cotswolds are accustomed to high-profile residents, operating under an unwritten agreement of mutual discretion. "You don’t make a spectacle of yourself, and neither will we," she said.
However, the dynamic with Harry and Markle is perceived as different. "The irony is that Harry and Meghan are moving to a place that is accustomed to famous people… but completely unimpressed by fame," Schofield noted, adding that the area is also strongly royalist. "You can bump into Liam Gallagher at the local pub and nobody cares."
Sources close to the community have reportedly advised the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to maintain a low profile. "The advice from locals is essentially that Harry should keep a low profile and allow the family to settle quietly into the community," Schofield relayed. "One source put it rather colorfully: ‘Shut up for at least eight months!’ and ‘Harry needs to respect the community.’"
Schofield urged the couple to "be incredibly boring" as they settle in, stating, "There’s a sense of, ‘Please don’t bring the circus here.’" She added that while the couple has an opportunity to "change the temperature" around them, it requires restraint. "You cannot ask a community to protect your privacy while simultaneously generating headlines that bring attention to their doorstep."
News broke earlier this month that Harry and Markle, who have been living in California for six years after stepping down from royal duties in 2020, were moving back to the UK for an "extended period." Sources indicated that the move was partly to allow their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, to be closer to King Charles III.
The couple reportedly chartered a private jet for their return, having moved out of their Montecito mansion. Insiders have suggested that British hedge fund billionaire Ian Wace is assisting with the transition. Harry and Markle have been estranged from many royal family members since their departure, though Harry has reportedly been mending his relationship with his father. Prince William remains on the outs with his younger brother.