Prince Harry and Meghan Markle thought they were heading to a quiet new chapter in the English countryside. Instead, they've walked straight into a wall of local resentment, with residents of the Cotswolds openly voicing their frustration over the couple's decision to settle in the area.
Word first broke on the Daily Expresso podcast, where host JJ Anisiobi shared what he'd heard while speaking to people on the ground. One woman, chatting in a local coffee shop, didn't hold back. She called the couple "a disgrace," said Meghan was "an awful, dreadful woman," and accused the pair of being "two-faced" for constantly complaining about privacy while living such a public life. Another resident reportedly felt just as strongly, saying Harry had permanently damaged his own family ties by choosing this path.
It's not just personal opinions causing friction — there's real concern about what the Sussexes' arrival will do to daily life in the region. Royal commentator Caroline Malone warned that the quiet countryside could soon be "swarming" with tourists, photographers, and curious onlookers, all chasing a glimpse of the couple. Ironically, she pointed out, Harry and Meghan themselves won't feel much of that disruption since they're expected to end up behind the gates of a massive, multi-million-pound estate. It's the ordinary local workers and shop owners, she suggested, who'll be left dealing with the chaos.
The Cotswolds isn't just any English village, either — it's already home to a mix of celebrities and public figures, some of whom have a complicated history with the Sussexes. David and Victoria Beckham, once close with the couple, notably weren't invited to the evening reception of their 2018 wedding, and David has since aligned himself closely with King Charles. Businesswoman Baroness Bamford publicly criticized Meghan's lifestyle brand last year, and TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson wrote a scathing column about her back in 2022. In short, Harry and Meghan may be moving into a neighborhood where several influential locals aren't exactly rolling out the welcome mat.
For now, the couple is reportedly staying at the private Scottish estate of billionaire hedge fund manager Ian Wace while they hunt for a permanent home. But according to insiders speaking to The Daily Beast, locals are watching closely, describing themselves as a mix of "amused, entertained, appalled and titillated" by their soon-to-be famous neighbors.
Whether Harry and Meghan can win over their new community — or whether the tension only grows — remains to be seen.
Key Takeaways:
- Cotswolds residents have publicly criticized Harry and Meghan ahead of their move to the area.
- A local was quoted calling the couple "a disgrace" during a Daily Expresso podcast discussion.
- Experts warn the area could become overwhelmed by media and tourist attention.
- Several high-profile Cotswolds residents, including the Beckhams, have strained ties with the Sussexes.
- The couple is currently staying at a private estate while searching for a permanent home.
- Locals describe mixed feelings — curiosity, amusement, and disapproval — about their new neighbors.
