Meghan Markle and Prince Harry ‘secretly house hunted in Cotswolds’ on UK visit before announcing big move

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reportedly made a private visit to the Cotswolds while searching for a new home in the UK.

The couple’s reported plans for a UK return could now take them back to an area they knew before their royal wedding. The Daily Mail claimed they explored the Cotswolds during their UK trip last month and house hunted in an enclave that is popular with celebrities.

The Cotswolds is an area of outstanding natural beauty and a favourite among celebrities, including the Beckhams and royal Princess Beatrice.

Harry and Meghan’s ‘Cotswolds home search’ amid UK return

The newspaper further claims the couple have found a possible home, although its location remains unknown. It also reports that Archie and Lilibet now have school places.

The area already holds personal history for the Sussexes. Before their 2018 wedding, they spent seven months at a £2.5m Grade II-listed Cotswolds farmhouse while renovations continued at Frogmore Cottage.

The four-acre property stood on the Great Tew Estate. Harry later recalled their time there in his autobiography, Spare.

He wrote: “We loved it out there. The air fresh, the verdant grounds plus, no paps.”

The couple left after the farmhouse’s location became public. They then moved to Frogmore Cottage in Windsor.

Prince Harry and Meghan are returning to live in the UK. (Credit: Shutterstock)

Why the Cotswolds could appeal to Meghan

The Cotswolds offers countryside privacy alongside several well-known residents and exclusive venues. Soho Farmhouse, a private members’ club which Meghan has visited on several occasions, also sits in the area.

The Beckhams have a country home nearby. Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi also own a farmhouse in the region. Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi live in the Cotswolds too.

During their latest stay in the UK in July, Harry and Meghan visited King Charles at Highgrove.

The couple also visited Althorp House in Northamptonshire, where Princess Diana grew up and now rests. Harry was seen leaving the Spencer family estate during the trip. Meghan later shared a picture showing Harry, Archie and Lilibet holding flowers in the grounds.

Prince Harry and Meghan are not returning to their royal roles. (Credit: Shutterstock)

Prince Harry’s UK security remains undecided

Questions over the family’s security arrangements continue alongside the home claims. Harry lost his automatic, round-the-clock police protection after he stepped back as a senior working royal and moved abroad in 2020.

The Sun reported Harry is still waiting to learn whether taxpayer-funded armed protection will be restored.

According to the newspaper, officials face a backlog that includes nine former prime ministers. It claims the Royal and VIP Executive Committee put new Risk Management Board evaluations on hold for at least four months, delaying the fresh threat assessment expected in Harry’s case.

Read more: ‘Clue’ Prince Harry may have gave about UK return months before move was revealed

Prime Minister Andy Burnham declined to discuss whether officials had resolved Harry’s case. He called it a “private matter” and added: “It’s a matter for Harry and for Meghan.”

A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been contacted for comment.

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