Imagine a grand fanfare—the blare of trumpets, glittering golden confetti raining down from the sky—as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, grace Portugal with their presence.
Now stop imagining, because the reality couldn’t be further from that. In fact, the locals of Portugal seem decidedly unimpressed, if not indifferent. Despite headlines ablaze with rumors that the couple has shelled out a hefty $4.7 million for a property at the exclusive Costa Terra Golf and Ocean Club, the reception from the residents has been lukewarm at best.
The charmingly unbothered town of Melides, near where the alleged purchase was made, has collectively greeted the royal couple with a shrug, and perhaps a raised eyebrow.
Far from fawning over their arrival, the locals seem to be muttering “Harry, who?” as they sip their espressos at quaint cafés. According to local sources, the people of Melides are far more accustomed to mingling with billionaires and genuine A-listers—stars like Portugal's own Cristiano Ronaldo. Compared to the soccer legend’s presence, the Sussexes’ entry is more akin to a damp firework. One real estate agent was especially blunt, telling the Daily Mail that Harry and Meghan’s arrival would have "zero impact, zero." In a place where rubbing elbows with the world’s wealthiest and most famous is the norm, the Sussexes' presence barely registers. As the agent quipped, "If Jeff Bezos bought here, then yeah, there could be some impact—but not Harry and Meghan." Ouch. For a couple that famously left the UK in search of privacy (but seemingly craving glamour), this indifference must sting.
The local residents appear to be continuing with their daily lives, unperturbed by the media circus surrounding the Sussexes. "The rich from the resorts don’t eat with the poor," remarked a local restaurant owner, explaining the stark division between the affluent newcomers in their gated communities and the locals who remain unimpressed and uninterested. There's a real sense of "them and us" in the region, with the wealthy residing in their enclaves while the locals go about their business, completely indifferent to the royal newcomers.
So, why Portugal? What could have drawn Harry and Meghan to this part of the world, where no one seems to care about them? Some speculate that the couple was seeking privacy—a break from the relentless spotlight they’ve endured in both the UK and the US. If they were hoping to blend into the background, they certainly picked the right place. "They can walk around unbothered," said a local businessman, noting that the only time the town really perks up is when Cristiano Ronaldo makes an appearance. Compared to Ronaldo’s star power, Harry’s polo matches and Meghan’s podcasting don’t exactly make waves.
But now for the burning question: did they actually buy this house, or is this yet another rumor spun out of control by the tabloids? The story began with whispers from royal correspondent Richard Eden, and quickly snowballed into a full-blown media sensation. But with their finances frequently under scrutiny, many are wondering if they can even afford the $4.7 million price tag. One particularly cynical observer noted, "They don’t have enough money to buy a used tent off Craigslist, much less a mansion on a sprawling estate."
Then there’s the irony of Harry’s environmental advocacy. While he often speaks out about climate change and reducing his carbon footprint, it seems a bit contradictory to be purchasing yet another luxury home. Managing two massive properties—one in Montecito, California, and the other in Portugal—while preaching about saving the planet doesn’t exactly scream "eco-warrior." It raises the question of how one can advocate for environmental causes while jetting between multiple lavish homes across the globe.
To top it off, it appears that Harry and Meghan may have overlooked a key detail: real estate purchases no longer qualify for Portugal’s once-popular Golden Visa program. That ship sailed long ago. But perhaps Meghan, in her confident self-image as a real estate mogul, thought she had it all figured out.
In the end, what the Sussexes may have hoped would be a splashy new chapter in Portugal has turned out to be little more than a ripple. The locals have greeted them with a collective yawn, leaving Harry and Meghan to navigate the indifference of their new surroundings.
