The rumor of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle buying a home in Portugal hasn’t impressed locals.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have reportedly taken possession of one of 300 residences soon to be built on the 722-acre estate. Costaterra Golf and Ocean Club – A gorgeous development near the small town of Melides, about 81 miles south of Lisbon.
The couple is said to have paid more than $4.7 million on the purchase, mirror Report.
But despite being members of the royal family and Hollywood elite, it appears as if locals in the area are not surprised by the high-profile status of Harry and Meghan, 40.
In fact, residents claim they have become accustomed to “the rich and the very famous” increasing their property portfolios in the area, so it’s unlikely there will be any red carpet rolled out for these two any time soon.
“We definitely have a lot more rich and a lot more famous people buying here. I think they won’t have any impact, to be honest,” said a local agent. told the daily mail,
“If someone like Jeff Bezos makes a purchase here, yes, there could be some impact — but not Harry and Meghan.”
Furthermore, local business owners told the outlet that there is a huge difference between those living in gated estates and the locals.
“The rich in the resorts don’t eat with the poor,” a local restaurant owner told the outlet.
Until recently, Portuguese law made it illegal to restrict access to public beaches, but now particular stretches of sand are considered “private”. daily Record, And the local people are angry.
While it is unclear why the couple chose to house in Portugal, a local businessman suggested that the privacy offered there could be the reason behind their decision.
“They can move around without any problems,” he told the outlet. “People are not worried. There was any commotion about someone’s arrival only when Cristiano Ronaldo came and that was because he is Portugal’s football hero.
“Locals protect the privacy of visitors so you won’t catch anyone talking about seeing Meghan or Harry or anyone else,” he said.
Indeed, the pursuit of privacy has always been at the forefront of the Sussexes’ minds, and it’s one of the main reasons they decided to leave royal life in 2020.
Additionally, Costa Terra is part of Discovery Land Company, a venture founded by Mike Meldman, who along with George Clooney invested in the billion-dollar tequila company, Casamigos.
The Sussexes also have family ties to the company.
Jack Brooksbank, husband of Harry’s cousin Princess Eugenie, works in the marketing and sales department of Discovery Land Company.
The couple already split their time between London and Portugal with their two sons, three-year-old August and sixteen-month-old Ernest.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have had no residence in the UK since 2023, when they were officially asked to “vacate” Frogmore Cottage, a property located in the grounds of Windsor Castle.
The couple visited the cottage for the first time after tying the knot in 2018.
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