Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are currently living in the U.K. – something we definitely didn’t have on our bingo cards for 2026! However, the Duchess of Sussex reportedly had one major condition for returning with her family: having a place of their own rather than staying with members of the royal family!
And it seems the former Suits actress may have gotten her wish, as the couple have reportedly moved into a private residence in the Cotswolds following their shock return in August. Security was also said to be another major factor in Meghan’s reported conditions. Keep reading for more details…
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Meghan Markle Reportedly Had One 'Major Condition' For Returning To The UK With Prince Harry
According to reports, Meghan's insistence on having a private residence was described as a "major condition" for returning to the U.K. with Prince Harry, whether for a short visit or something more permanent. She reportedly didn't want to stay with Harry's relatives or in a property provided by the royal family.
Speaking to The Mirror in August 2024, royal author and expert Tom Quinn claimed: "Meghan will never return to the UK and stay with her husband's relatives." He added at the time: "Meghan has said she's only prepared to return to England if she and Harry have a place of their own and the security they both feel is essential."
The comments came after King Charles asked the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to vacate Frogmore Cottage in 2023. The Windsor property, which was gifted to the couple by the late Queen Elizabeth II following their 2018 royal wedding, had served as their U.K. residence before they stepped back from their roles as senior working royals and relocated to California in 2020.
Following their departure from royal duties, the Sussexes lost their automatic taxpayer-funded police protection in the U.K., with their security arrangements instead being assessed on a case-by-case basis. Prince Harry subsequently challenged the decision in court, arguing that the arrangements were inadequate and left his family vulnerable when visiting the country. However, he lost his appeal in May 2025, and their current security arrangements haven't been publicly confirmed. But given that Harry and Meghan have previously expressed concerns about returning to the U.K. without adequate protection, we can only assume they're somewhat happy with their current setup.
Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Have Reportedly Moved Into A New Home In The Cotswolds
The couple have reportedly been settling into life in the Cotswolds with their children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, after returning to the U.K. in August.
They initially stayed in the main house of a wealthy businessman friend, whom Harry reportedly met through their shared support of military charities, while searching for a more permanent home. According to a November 3rd report from The Independent, the family have since moved into a separate property on the same estate.
They were reportedly looking for a large country property with plenty of land and privacy, although their latest move may have brought their house hunt to an end. The exact location of their new home hasn't been disclosed, but the arrangement appears to offer the independence Meghan was reportedly seeking, without relying on a royal residence. The Sussexes are also believed to be keeping their Montecito, California, mansion.
And while their new surroundings may offer some distance from royal life, they certainly aren't short of famous neighbors! The Cotswolds has long been a favorite among A-listers, including David and Victoria Beckham, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi, Kate Moss, and Damien Hirst.
Could Prince Harry And Meghan Markle's UK Return Help Heal The Royal Family Rift?
Interestingly, Quinn also suggested back in 2024 that having a permanent U.K. home could help Archie and Lilibet develop closer relationships with their royal cousins. He said that if Harry and Meghan were able to find a permanent home and resolve their security concerns, it could help the children develop "a genuine and warm relationship with their cousins George, Charlotte and Louis," referring to Prince William and Kate Middleton's three children.
Whether the cousins have had a chance to spend time together since the Sussexes' return remains unclear. However, there may be some hope for a reconciliation between Harry and his older brother based on recent reports…
According to reports from October 2026, the Prince of Wales is reportedly willing to meet with Harry, as their long-running feud has allegedly become a source of embarrassment. An insider suggested that it's in both brothers' best interests to end their feud, especially as they've "reached a point where continuing to ignore each other is becoming increasingly embarrassing."
The source added: "This cannot continue. Two grown men avoiding each other is making them both look petty and foolish. Their feud has become a national joke."
