Prince Harry and Meghan Markle shocked the world when they announced their U-turn decision to move back to the UK from Montecito. Their reasons for relocating have not been laid out, but the lure of the secluded English countryside is reported to be a deciding factor, with the Duke of Sussex wishing to give his children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, a British childhood. Zara and Mike Tindall have successfully shown how Cotswolds living whilst dipping their toe into royal life can work, so could this be the blueprint for Harry and Meghan?
Countryside living at Gatcombe Park
The Tindalls have chosen not to live in the UK capital; they previously resided in Cheltenham and then moved into Princess Anne's estate in Gloucestershire in 2013. This location affords them immense privacy and gives their three children: Mia, 12, Lena, eight, and five-year-old Lucas, access to a countryside lifestyle, which is the one Zara grew up with on the very same estate.
While Prince Harry had Kensington Palace to call home during his childhood, he also spent considerable time at Highgrove, Balmoral and Sandringham - more rural royal residences. London has reportedly been ruled out as a place to stay for the Sussex family; instead, it looks as though they are considering a countryside base that can be a secluded sanctuary. Harry has previously spoken about his love for Oxfordshire, in his book, Spare.
Tindall children shielded from the spotlight
© Getty ImagesWhile Zara and Mike's three children are pictured occasionally on days out at rural events like horse trials, they are largely kept away from the spotlight. Prince Harry is highly protective of his young family, and keeping his two children away from the glare of the media is something that he seems keen to do. For example, details of where Archie and Lilibet will be attending school are not going to be announced, for maximum security.
In 2023, Prince Harry explained that he felt the UK wasn't safe for his kids, in a statement to the High Court. "The UK is central to the heritage of my children and a place I want them to feel at home as much as where they live at the moment in the US. That cannot happen if it's not possible to keep them safe when they are on UK soil. I cannot put my wife in danger like that and, given my experiences in life, I am reluctant to unnecessarily put myself in harm's way too."
"I cannot put my wife in danger like that and, given my experiences in life, I am reluctant to unnecessarily put myself in harm's way too."
Royal privilege without being 'senior royals'
© Getty ImagesZara and Mike are non-working royals, but we often see them both at major royal events like coronations, weddings, garden parties and sporting occasions like Royal Ascot. They have a royal presence but do not attend engagements on behalf of the King.
In 2020, Harry and Meghan stepped down as senior royals and relocating to the US, so their return seems to muddy the water about their role within the royal family, however, reports suggest that King Charles is maintaining that their non-working-royal status will not change.
Zara and Mike pursue professional aspirations
The couple are both professional sportspeople - with Zara having a successful equestrian career and Mike being a former rugby player. While Mike has hung up his rugby boots, Zara still competes, most recently being on horseback for the Burnham Market International Horse Trials. Away from sport, Zara has secured a number of high-end brand sponsorships with luxury brands like Fairfax & Favor and Rolex.
© PA Images via Getty ImagesMike is also well known for co-hosting a podcast, The Good, The Bad and the Rugby, where he interviews rugby stars. His mother-in-law Princess Anne, along with Prince William and Princess Kate, have also made a guest appearance on the show.
© Chris JacksonMeghan has already established her own lifestyle brand, As Ever, in the States, but her latest update on the brand's Instagram shows an autumnal apple scene, perhaps indicating her slight change of direction with her relocation to the English countryside. There's no reason that Meghan can't keep running her business from her new base back across the pond.
© Getty ImagesMeanwhile, Prince Harry has his initiative, the Invictus Games, which is a competition for wounded, injured, and sick military personnel and veterans. Most recently, he was in Birmingham for a "One year to go" event, as he is set to host the next instalment of the games in the city next year.
