Last week, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced that they will be moving back to the UK along with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. The rumour mill is busy swirling about where the royals will choose to live, as it's reportedly said to be somewhere private outside of London. There is one location that they've already trialled in the UK, which they have previously said they "love", so could Oxfordshire be the chosen place?
In Harry's memoir, Spare, he detailed the couple's time in the UK and in one chapter he touched on the Oxfordshire bolthole they lived in together ahead of moving into Frogmore Cottage.
"We'd rented a house in Oxfordshire. Just a place to get away now and then [from] the maelstrom," he explained and while renovations took place at Frogmore, the couple remained there. "While the work was being done, we thought we could move into Oxfordshire full time. We loved it out there. The air fresh, the verdant grounds—plus, no paps."
Why Prince Harry's exact location will not be revealed
The Cotswolds is looking like a strong contender for the couple to move to, according to growing reports. However, the precise location of their home and chosen school for their children will be kept private for security reasons.
The Sussexes have not had a permanent UK home since 2023, when they were asked to vacate their Windsor residence Frogmore Cottage, a gift from the late Queen.
© InstagramThe couple are set to keep their homes in Montecito, California, and Portugal, as well as renting or buying somewhere in the UK.
Prince Harry's close friend, journalist Bryony Gordon, gave her insider take on the matter on Friday's episode of This Morning. She explained: "What I understand is that they have decided to be more of an international family."
The pull of the Cotswolds for royals and celebs alike
Royal family members have long loved the sanctuary of the Cotswolds with King Charles' beloved countryside home in Gloucestershire and Princess Anne's Gatcombe Park nearby. Plus, Princess Beatrice acquired a home in the area in 2021.
© @davidbeckhamThe Cotswolds has become a celebrity hotspot in recent years too, with the likes of Ellen DeGeneres, Jeremy Clarkson and the Beckhams all securing a rural address.
As well as its picturesque surroundings, luxury locations like Soho Farmhouse may be a draw for Harry and Meghan, considering they have spoken out about their connection to the chain since their first date at a Soho House in London.
