Get the camera crew together, line up those oddly dull but ridiculously expensive houses, and for heaven’s sake, someone call British TV hosts Phil Spencer and Kirstie Allsopp. If there was ever a time for an emergency episode of Location, Location, Location, this is it.
You might have heard—a certain well-known couple, both in their early-to-mid 40s, with the small title of “Duke and Duchess of Sussex” to their name—have suddenly decided to move back to the UK after living in the US. They’ll need a place to live, and fast.
But finding the perfect spot for Harry, Meghan, and their family isn’t easy. They want the comforts of California living (at the very least, a Whole Foods nearby) and a love for countryside activities (ironically, you can’t grow up royal without dealing with your fair share of horse manure).
While we wait to see which area wins them over, here are a few ideas.
Windsor, Berkshire
The Duke and Duchess started their married life in Windsor, and there’s plenty of family close by.
Photo: Getty Images
A bit awkward, really. Relatives just up the road, but not on great terms. It could be a chance to reconnect—or it could be absolutely terrible bumping into each other in the crisps aisle at Waitrose.
All jokes aside, Windsor makes sense for Harry and Meghan. It’s where they got married and began their life together, and big brother lives nearby. This place is so tied to the family that it literally shares their name. It’s also practical: just an hour from London, plenty of space, and Legoland up the road if you’re bored. What more could a royal couple want?
The potential school: The cousins go to Lambrook School, and Harry’s old school, Eton, is in the next village. Nice to keep it in the family (at around $28,000 per term).
The VIP neighbours: Kate, William, and the kids, plus Uncle Edward and his family at Bagshot Park.
Closest airport: A quick helicopter ride to Heathrow.
Richmond, London
They’d have plenty of high-profile neighbours in Richmond.
Photo: Getty Images
Not Windsor? Fine. Maybe Harry and Meghan want to be closer to the action in London—or as close as you can get when your idea of “normal” includes a home with a tennis court. The couple has been criticised before for enjoying a celebrity lifestyle, so why stop now? It could be lovely: BBQs with Tom and Z, a quick coffee with Blake Lively… it’s basically like LA, just with constant rain.
The potential school: Quite a few options with “Kew” in the name, all of which I’m sure are fiercely competitive.
The VIP neighbours: Don’t be surprised if Meghan and Jerry Hall are photographed heading to Pilates together soon.
Closest airport: Pretty sure they’d fly private jets straight from their gardens.
Bruton, Somerset
Bruton is a magnet for the fashion crowd, so Meghan would fit right in.
Photo: Getty Images
You know what? Sometimes it’s better to escape the chaos of London and just… reconnect with yourself. By moving to a miniature version of all the poshest parts of London.
If Meghan and Harry want to reinvent themselves as fashion icons, there are worse places than Bruton. It’s home to the likes of Stella McCartney, Phoebe Philo, and Alice Temperley. They could have lunch at Osip, the local restaurant, which doesn’t have a menu—because of course it doesn’t. They could pop over to the Newt when things get overwhelming. And it’s handy for Glastonbury. Wins all around, really.
The potential school: King’s Bruton—around $12,300 per term for day pupils and $18,600 per term for boarders. So, pretty reasonable, all things considered.The VIP neighbours: The aforementioned fashion crowd, plus former British chancellor George Osborne.
Closest airport: Bristol Airport, just 22 miles away.
The Cotswolds
If it’s good enough for Mossy…
Photo: Getty Images
This one does make some sense: the countryside activities, along with the whole Daylesford vibe, seem like they’d suit Meghan, Harry, and their family really well. Given Meghan’s love of cooking, this could let her lean even further into her Goop ambitions—maybe she becomes the first name in carefully curated, hyper-local produce, including eggs from chickens living better than most people in the UK (they’ve got air conditioning). By 2028, the bricks-and-mortar Markle Market, set in a historic farmhouse near Moreton-in-Marsh, opens its doors, with the whole process filmed for a Netflix documentary. Critics pan it for being “inauthentic,” as if this person would ever be allowed to act genuinely on camera at any point.
The potential school: Westonbirt School takes students from age two to 19, so they barely have to see them if they don’t want to.
The VIP neighbours: A wealth of local pals. David and Victoria in Chipping Norton, Kate Moss in Little Faringdon. Interior designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen is also nearby, just in case the house needs a makeover.
Closest airport: Bristol and Birmingham are both easy drives.
Stoke Newington, London
The curveball option.
Photo: Getty Images
You know how at the end of Location, Location, Location, Kirsty and Phil always throw in a mystery house? Well, hear me out. If Harry and Meghan want to stay under the radar, what better way than hiding in plain sight? Fridays out at Cadet for a drink or two, while the bodyguard blends in a few tables over in a YMC gilet. Meghan could grab a pair of the new Ganni Asics; Harry could wear that one specific Aimé Leon Dore hat that elder millennials always have on to distract from male pattern baldness. They could have passive-aggressive rows in the queue at Dusty Knuckle bakery (Him: “There’s another 20 people ahead of us here.” Her: “Yes, but I saw on Instagram they’re doing a rose custard special, so I’m waiting. I don’t care, go home if you want.”). There’s a full, rich life waiting for them right here, if only they’d look…
The potential school: Just give the kids a phone with Apple Pay and teach them to say “flat white,” I promise they’ll be fine.
The VIP neighbours: 1,000 people who still won’t stop going on about that time they saw Paul Mescal running in the park.
Closest airport: Why would you need to go anywhere when you’ve managed to snag a flat with a bedroom, a kitchen, a bathroom, and a working fridge, all for just $4,000 a month? Heaven is a place on earth, baby!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs about potential UK residences for Meghan Markle and Prince Harry written in a natural clear tone
Frequently Asked Questions Where Meghan and Harry Could Live in the UK
1 Why do they need a UK home at all
They need a base in the UK to maintain their connection to the royal family visit friends and family and conduct their UKbased charitable work Having a stable home makes these visits much easier and more private than staying in hotels
2 Do they still have Frogmore Cottage
No They were asked to vacate Frogmore Cottage in 2023 and they have since given up the keys They no longer have an official residence in the UK
3 What are the main options being discussed
The main options fall into a few categories staying with family buying a new private home renting a property or being offered a graceandfavour residence by the Crown
4 Could they just stay with family when they visit
Yes thats a very practical shortterm option They have a close relationship with Princess Eugenie and her husband who have a large home in Oxfordshire It offers privacy and a family environment but its not a permanent solution
5 Whats the appeal of buying their own home
Buying a private home would give them complete independence privacy and control over their security and lifestyle It would be their own asset not tied to the Crown or any royal rules
6 What are the downsides of buying a place
Its a major financial commitment They would also have to pay for all maintenance staff and security themselves which can be extremely costly It also permanently ties them to one specific location in the UK
7 Is there a chance theyll be given a new royal residence
Its very unlikely The King has a limited number of official residences and they are for working members of the royal family Since Harry and Meghan stepped back from royal duties they are not entitled to one on a graceandfavour basis
8 Why would they choose to live in the countryside versus London
The countryside offers more privacy space for their children to play and a more normal family life London on the other hand is the hub