This week, whispers began circulating that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are potentially looking for a London home to add to their property portfolio.
An inside source told OK! magazine that “they will soon start looking for a property of their own near London and Harry is very much leading this.”
They can’t return to Frogmore Cottage, their former home on the Windsor estate, since King Charles evicted them in May and gave it to his brother, Prince Andrew.
"Making use of a small apartment in Kensington Palace from time to time isn’t out of the question,” said the source.
“But when it comes to a home in the UK, they will purchase that themselves."
The couple currently have a mortgage on a $14.65 million (£12 million) home in a gated community in Montecito, California.
They have been living in Santa Barbara since 2020, having relocated to the US after officially stepping back from Royal duties.
As they are no longer working royals they have to live off their own income from their various literary and media projects – plus Harry’s inheritance from Princess Diana.
With their budget and tastes in mind, here are five properties that Harry and Meghan could book in for a viewing.
Cookham Dean, SL6
£4.95 million
Set on a private island in the Thames and accessed by a footbridge, this house near Windsor would give them some privacy from the paps when they’re in the UK.
With six bedrooms there’s plenty of room for them to bring their children, Archie and Lillibet, along with them, and the views of the riverside
Just a 30 minute drive – or boat ride – from the gates of Windsor castle would mean they could be close to Prince William and Princess Kate, who recently relocated from Kensington Palace to Adelaide Cottage near Windsor Castle.
Although Harry’s memoir Spare revealed that the relationship between the couples are frosty, perhaps living round the corner could help thaw things out.
Hamptons, 01753 415 265
Kensington, W8
£5.75 million
This two-bedroom apartment is just a stone’s throw from Kensington Palace, where Harry and Meghan lived in the grounds at Nottingham Cottage.
The duplex is decidedly more luxurious than their former home, which Harry revealed in his memoir was furnished with second hand pieces and bits from IKEA.
Architect David Chipperfield designed the development, and Taylor Howes did the interiors.
It features underfloor heating throughout – important if the couple have acclimated to the warmth of California and find the UK a bit chilly now.
There’s also a 24-hour concierge service and valet parking if Harry misses his previous footmen-filled lifestyle.
Knight Frank, 020 3879 0884
Soho, W1D
£550,000
If they’re looking for a centrally located bolthole on a more modest budget, they could consider this charming studio flat in Soho.
It’s located on Dean Street, which holds a lot of happy memories for him. Meghan and Harry met for their first date at the Dean Street Townhouse, so they could always drop by for a drink and a reminisce.
It’s a rare opportunity to get a home in such a central location, and now that the Elizabeth Line (named, of course, for Harry’s beloved grandmother) is open it’s even easier to travel around London from Soho.
LDG, 020 7580 1010
Fulham, SW5
£1.675 million
Sands End was another favourite haunt of Harry and Meghan when they lived in London.
Popular gastropub Brook House is co-owned by Harry’s friend Mark Dyer, who is Archie’s godfather, and he was regularly spotted enjoying a meal and a pint there.
This four-bedroom home is just over a 10 minute walk away from said pub.
The period property has been tastefully renovated, and has a sunny garden that wouldn’t require much upkeep while they’re in California.
Dexters, 020 7386 5386
Petersham, TW10
£5 million
Harry is famously a fan of polo, having joined a team in Santa Barbara, and Petersham is home to Ham Polo Club, the last of its kind in London.
Navigators House is a Grade II listed property in the historic hamlet, offering five bedrooms and shared use of private tennis courts.
The detached property is set on a secluded plot of 0.37 acres and is accessed via a no-through road, making it ideally private.
There is also a separate garage with a studio built on top, should they wish to host guests.
