Harry and Meghan’s shifting homes reflect their changing lives

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have spent the last eight years moving between homes that told a story of their relationship—from a cramped royal cottage to a sprawling California estate. Now, after six years in the U.S., they’ve returned to England, settling in the Cotswolds, a region known for its charm and privacy. Their real estate choices have mirrored their shifting priorities: from royal duty to family life, from public scrutiny to a quieter existence.

Their first home together, Nottingham Cottage, was a 1,300-square-foot red-brick dwelling within Kensington Palace grounds. Built in the 17th century by Sir Christopher Wren, the cottage had two bedrooms and famously low ceilings. Meghan called it “so small,” and Harry joked in their Netflix documentary that the entire house was “on a slight lean.” Despite its modest size, it became the backdrop for their early years—engagement celebrations, Meghan’s transition from acting to royal life, and the planning of their next steps.

The cottage’s intimacy suited their early marriage, but as their family grew, so did their need for space. By 2019, they had moved to Frogmore Cottage, a wedding gift from Queen Elizabeth II. Originally five separate units, the property was renovated into a single-family home at a reported cost of $3 million. The upgrades included a yoga studio for Meghan, a nursery for Archie, and a guest wing. The move was meant to offer privacy and prestige, but tensions with the royal family escalated. By June 2023, after stepping back from official duties, they reimbursed the renovation funds and left Frogmore behind.

Across the Atlantic, their next home was Montecito Mansion, a 7.4-acre Mediterranean-style estate in Santa Barbara County. Purchased for $14.65 million in 2020, the property boasted nine bedrooms, 16 bathrooms, and features like a tennis court, swimming pool, and even a chicken coop. The house reflected their California lifestyle, sun-drenched rooms, a wine cellar, and a gym, but it also served as a filming location for Meghan’s Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Though they left in 2024, they still own the home and plan to return for the holidays.

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Beyond these homes, reports suggest they own a retreat in Portugal, linked to Harry’s cousin Princess Eugenie. The property is part of the Costa Terra Golf & Ocean Club in Melides, believed to be purchased for £6.3 million in 2023. The club’s 300-unit development spans 700 to 900 acres along the coast, offering a quiet escape for the family.

Their latest move, the Cotswolds, marks a return to England without the formality of royal life. The area, known for its countryside beauty, has been a favorite among the elite for decades. Meghan’s bachelorette weekend at the Soho Farmhouse in the region hints at the kind of home they’ve chosen: private, picturesque, and far from the public eye.

Each property they’ve lived in has reflected a chapter of their journey, from royal beginnings to a more independent future. The question now is whether their new home in the Cotswolds will be the start of a new, more settled phase.

Royal engagements in Nottingham

During a weekend in early June, the Sussexes appeared together at a series of public events in Nottingham, marking their first formal appearance on British soil since relocating to the Cotswolds. The itinerary included a charity garden party at the city’s historic castle grounds, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a local youth sports centre funded by their charitable foundation.

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Following the garden party, the couple toured a refurbished community centre that will serve as a hub for after-school programmes. While there, they met with local officials and schoolchildren, listening to stories about the city’s regeneration projects. Their presence drew large crowds, prompting heightened security measures and a temporary road closure on the main thoroughfare.

Meanwhile, members of the royal household, including the monarch and the heir apparent, remained at their traditional residences in London and Windsor. The contrast showed the Sussexes’ new, more independent public-engagement style, which relies on personal initiatives rather than official royal duties.

Life in the Cotswolds and beyond

When they settled in the Cotswolds this summer, the couple chose a property that remains undisclosed to the public, reportedly sourced from a close acquaintance. Photographs shared on social media depict a stone-faced manor surrounded by rolling fields, with a garden that features a small orchard and a pond.

In addition to the English countryside retreat, the Sussexes continue to maintain a presence at the coastal development in southwest Portugal. The property is located within the Costa Terra Golf & Ocean Club, part of a larger resort community that includes several hundred residential units.