Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's rumored house purchase in Portugal has left locals unimpressed. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have reportedly splashed out on one of 300 soon-to-be constructed residences at the 722-acre CostaTerra Golf and Ocean Club — a lavish development near the small town of Melides, about 81 miles south of Lisbon. The couple are said to have forked over more than $4.7 million on the purchase, The Mirror reports.
But despite being royals and members of the Hollywood elite, it appears as though locals in that area aren't fazed by Harry, 40, and Meghan's high profile status. In fact, residents claim they're used to 'richer and much more famous people' growing their property portfolios in the area, so it's unlikely that a red carpet will be rolled out for the duo anytime soon.
'We have much richer and much more famous people buying here for sure. I think they will have zero impact, to be honest,' a local agent told the Daily Mail. 'If someone like Jeff Bezos bought here then, yes, there could be some impact — but not Harry and Meghan.'
What's more, local business owners told the outlet that the contrast between those who live in the gated estates and the locals is stark. 'The rich from 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 deemed 'private,' according to the Daily Record, and locals are livid.
While it's unclear exactly why the pair opted for a home in Portugal, one local businessman suggested that the privacy offered there could be the reason behind their decision. 'They can walk around unbothered,' he told the outlet. 'People are not fussed. The only time there was any fuss about someone coming was when Cristiano Ronaldo turned up and that's because he's Portugal's football hero.' 'Locals protect the privacy of the visitors so you won't catch anyone talking about seeing Meghan or Harry or anyone else,' he added.
Indeed, the search for privacy has always been at the forefront of the Sussex's mind, and one of the main reasons they decided to quit royal life in 2020. What's more, CostaTerra is part of Discovery Land Company, an enterprise founded by Mike Meldman, who along with George Clooney, invested in the billion-dollar tequila company, Casamigos.
The Sussexes also have a family connection with the company. Jack Brooksbank, the husband of Harry's cousin Princess Eugenie, works for Discovery Land Company in their marketing and sales department. The couple already divide their time between London and Portugal along with their two sons, three-year-old August, and sixteen-month-old Ernest. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have not had a residence in the UK since 2023, when they were asked to officially 'vacate' Frogmore Cottage, a property located on the grounds of Windsor Castle. The pair had first moved into the cottage after tying the knot in 2018.
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