Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, following their announcement of an extended return to the United Kingdom from California, have yet to confirm their new residence. However, speculation suggests the couple may settle in the Cotswolds, an area they have previously favored and which is popular among American celebrities.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex rented a four-bedroom farmhouse in the Cotswolds around the time of their 2018 royal wedding while renovations were completed on Frogmore Cottage. This region also holds significance as it is relatively close to both Windsor and the Spencer family estate, Althorp House in Northamptonshire, where the couple stayed during a July visit to the UK.
Several of Harry and Meghan's celebrity acquaintances reside in the Cotswolds. Among them are former talk show host Ellen DeGeneres and her wife Portia de Rossi, who purchased Kitesbridge Farm near Burford for £15 million in 2024 and had developed a friendship with Meghan during their time in California.
Rumors about the couple's living arrangements have intensified since their announcement of a return to the UK for an extended stay, during which they have reportedly secured a new home. While their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, are expected to enroll in a British school, the family is not anticipated to reside in a royal residence or return as working members of the Royal Family.
In the early stages of their relationship, Harry and Meghan frequented Soho Farmhouse, a retreat in the Cotswolds known for its luxury cabins. Meghan's hen party in March 2018 also took place at this venue. Sources indicated before their 2018 wedding that the couple expressed an interest in high-end properties in the Cotswolds.
During the renovations of Frogmore Cottage, which were overseen by Vicky Charles, the former design chief of Soho House, the couple leased an 18th-century, four-bedroom farmhouse with a staff cottage on the Great Tew Estate in Oxfordshire. They occupied this property as their country retreat until 2019.
Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi faced challenges at their Cotswolds property, including local planning disputes and flooding, which led them to acquire a second, higher-elevation home. Despite these issues, they have reportedly been granted permission for stables, potentially allowing them to keep their original property.
George and Amal Clooney, who attended Harry and Meghan's wedding, also live in the vicinity of the Cotswolds and frequently visit the area. However, recent reports suggest a cooling of their relationship with the Duke and Duchess, particularly after the Clooneys attended a reception hosted by King Charles at Buckingham Palace in June.
Family connections to the area also exist for the Sussexes, with the Cotswolds serving as a midway point between Windsor and the Spencer family estate. Princess Beatrice, Harry's cousin, also maintains a home in the Cotswolds, dividing her time with her London apartment. She and her husband purchased a six-bedroom farmhouse in the region in 2021.
