Meghan Markle wanted a ‘special place’ for her UK visits with Prince Harry

After Meghan Markle and Prince Harry surprised royal fans by returning to the UK in August, speculation turned to where the family would live. Their choice to live in a private residence not affiliated with the royal family could be linked to a “major condition” Meghan had made regarding her visit to the UK, according to a royal expert.

As well as losing their security after stepping back from their royal roles in 2020, Meghan has reportedly made it clear that she wants to visit the UK on her own terms when it comes to accommodation.

“Meghan said she was only prepared to return to England if she and Harry had their own accommodation and security which they both considered essential,” said author and royal expert Tom Quinn. The mirror in August 2024. “Meghan will never return to the UK and will stay with her husband’s loved ones.

The couple previously lived at Frogmore Cottage from 2019 to 2020 and still owned the property until they were evicted from the royal residence in 2023. Harry would have considered the decision a “slap in the face”, Quinn said. The mirror at the time.

“Harry was absolutely furious and in tears at being kicked out of Frogmore,” the royal author said. “He felt that his father had no right to do so and that it was purely vindictive. Harry did not see that choosing to cease being a member of the royal family would inevitably mean being deprived of his royal residence. Harry took this as a cruel rejection.”

Harry, Meghan and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, have since ended up living in a private residence in the English Cotswolds, maintaining their distance from the royal family. The Duchess shared a rare glimpse into their new life with a video shared on September 13 showing picturesque scenes of the English countryside, with Lilibet and Archie running and playing on what appears to be their new property.

The Sussexes have already been embroiled in a years-long legal battle to have their security restored. Last month, The telegraph reported that Meghan and Harry would receive risk assessments from the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (RAVEC) to determine whether they were eligible for security again. In the meantime, the family will benefit from an interim security benefit. The assessment took place after Lilibet and Archie had to change schools due to safety concerns.

A long-time royal photographer, Arthur Edwards, recently said The telegraph that Archie and Lilibet “should enjoy royal protection.”

“If they were kidnapped, there would be an outcry,” he added.

Quinn also added that the hope is that “Archie and Lili are able to develop a genuine, warm relationship with their cousins ​​George, Charlotte and Louis,” referring to Prince William and Kate Middleton’s three children. Despite their new closeness, Harry and William’s relationship remains strained. In a recent GQ During the interview, Harry expressed his desire to reconcile with his older brother, saying: “I want to make it work.”