Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are keeping the exact details of their new UK residence tightly under wraps. Reports suggest British media outlets have even received legal warnings against naming the precise property or estate. Still, despite this secrecy, the broader location the couple has chosen for their fresh start in England has now come to light — the Cotswolds.
More specifically, the pair has settled near Stow-on-the-Wold, a historic market town sitting almost 800 feet above sea level, making it the highest of all Cotswold towns. Built along the ancient Roman Fosse Way and positioned where several country roads meet, the town has functioned as a travel and trading hub for centuries, mixing old-world charm with rolling countryside scenery.
Once the news broke, reactions started coming in fast. Interior designer and television personality Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, who is closely tied to the region, shared his thoughts with Express.co.uk. He suggested that unlike other pockets of the Cotswolds, locals in this part of the countryside aren't easily impressed by celebrity status, and that Meghan would need to prove she's "very genuine" to fit in, since residents can quickly tell when someone isn't being real.
Journalist Benjamin Butterworth raised a more serious angle during an appearance on Times Radio. He pointed back to Harry's memoir Spare, in which the Duke admitted to killing Taliban fighters while serving in Afghanistan. Butterworth said this admission had drawn strong criticism from Taliban representatives he had personally spoken to, who felt Harry should be held accountable for his actions during the war — though he was careful to note this wasn't a direct call for violence.
Adding another layer to the story, Harry is reportedly unable to receive taxpayer-funded police protection in the UK because of his current royal status, which is part of the reason authorities and media have stayed unusually quiet about the exact location, especially given that the couple plans to stay for an extended period.
Key Takeaways
- Harry and Meghan's new home is somewhere near Stow-on-the-Wold in the Cotswolds, though the exact address remains legally protected from British media.
- Stow-on-the-Wold is the highest town in the Cotswolds, built along the historic Fosse Way trade route.
- Designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen believes Meghan will need to be authentic to win over famously unimpressed local residents.
- Journalist Benjamin Butterworth flagged renewed criticism of Harry tied to claims made in his memoir Spare.
- Harry does not qualify for UK taxpayer-funded police protection due to his royal status, adding to concerns around the move.
