Prince Harry and Meghan Move Into Separate Property on Friend's Cotswolds Estate — but Their Family's Living Arrangements Raise Questions

Meghan Markle is dealing with another unsettling development involving her estranged father, but events in Britain are bringing a different family concern into focus. As she and Prince Harry make another change to their living arrangements, one detail about their children's new chapter stands out.

According to The Sun's report on Thomas Markle's move, the 82-year-old was transferred to a specialist memory-care facility in Florida on Friday, November 1. The move came after his son, Thomas Markle Jr., reportedly handed investigators material found among his father's belongings.

The investigation involves two separate discoveries of alleged child sexual abuse material, one in the Philippines and another in a storage unit near Markle Sr.'s former home in Rosarito, Mexico.

The allegations have also raised questions about whether investigators can interview him. A Florida-based lawyer, Spencer Kuvin, told The Sun that his reported dementia diagnosis could create legal obstacles if the FBI attempts to question him.

Thomas Sr. has denied wrongdoing, telling the newspaper, "I'm not a paedophile. I've never done anything bad to a child. Never." Amid this upheaval surrounding her father, Meghan and Harry have reportedly moved out of the main house in the Cotswolds and into another property on the same estate.

But while the new arrangement offers them a place to stay, the circumstances surrounding their children's recent changes make the development particularly interesting.

Harry and Meghan Have Moved Into Another House on a Friend's Estate

According to the Daily Mail's report by Richard Eden, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex appear to have put their search for a permanent country home on hold.

The couple, who returned to Britain from California at the end of August, reportedly looked for a property with a budget of up to £10 million. However, they have now moved into a house owned by a wealthy businessman who lives in the Cotswolds. The family had been staying with him since arriving in Britain, initially occupying his main residence.

"They were living in the main house," a friend of the businessman told the publication. "They have now moved to a property on the estate."

The businessman reportedly became friends with Harry through their mutual support of military charities. He is said to be happy for Harry, Meghan and their children to continue living on his estate. The couple made the move the weekend before traveling abroad with their children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, for their October half-term holiday.

Although they have found another place to stay, the arrangement is not quite the permanent countryside home they had reportedly envisioned when they returned to Britain.

The Sussexes Had a Very Specific Wish List for Their Dream Home

The Sussexes' property search reportedly involved a rather specific wish list, with privacy and space ranking among their biggest priorities. According to earlier reporting about their Cotswolds house search, Meghan reportedly wanted a property with nine bedrooms and a film studio.

Harry, meanwhile, was said to be particularly interested in having substantial land surrounding the house. He reportedly wanted "a lot – and I mean a lot – of land," without public footpaths crossing the property.

The preference appeared connected to the couple's desire to give their children a more private upbringing, away from the attention that comes with being members of the royal family.

They were also reportedly unwilling to settle on a property based solely on photographs or virtual tours. One source explained that they wanted to visit potential homes in person before deciding whether they could imagine raising their children there.

"With houses, you don't know until you step into them if they are where you want to raise your children," the source said. The same source described the kinds of questions the couple might consider while walking through a potential home:

"Is this the snug where we will light a fire and watch a film; is this the kitchen where I will cook meals for the next ten formative years of my child's life?"

The search reportedly focused as much on finding a suitable family environment as on securing an impressive property.

Archie and Lilibet Have Already Experienced a Major School Change

The question of where the children will settle is particularly relevant given how much their routine has changed since the family's return to Britain. Harry and Meghan had reportedly hoped to establish Archie and Lilibet in a new school as part of their relocation. However, their first choice did not work out as planned.

As HELLO! exclusively reported in September, the couple withdrew their children from the school after just two days. Their security team reportedly advised the decision after practical concerns, including heavy traffic and the distance involved in the daily school run, made the arrangement difficult to manage securely.

"They really wanted to make it work, but they had to make a difficult decision based on the fact that the team couldn't make the school run operationally secure," a friend of the couple said.

The children subsequently had to adjust to another school, adding another transition to an already eventful period. The changes were also discussed on the A Right Royal Podcast, where the hosts reflected on how quickly the children's circumstances had shifted.

Speaking about the situation, Emmy Griffiths said, "Those kids are having a whirlwind, aren't they? First one school, then they change to another…" Andrea Caamano added, "I mean, they changed after two days. It was all in the matter of the same week!"

The family's latest move to another property adds another development to that picture, although the reports don't indicate that Archie and Lilibet have had to change schools again.

Harry and Meghan Wanted a Countryside Childhood for Their Children

The couple's reported property requirements also reflect the kind of upbringing they hope to provide for Archie and Lilibet. A friend previously told the Daily Mail that academic achievement was relatively low on the Sussexes' list of priorities compared with creating a nurturing environment.

"It's not academia. That is very low on the list. A nurturing atmosphere is very high on the list. Probably the highest priority is the outdoorsy and sporting ethos," the friend said.

Harry's own experiences at Ludgrove, the preparatory school he attended as a child, reportedly influenced the family's vision. Fields surrounded the school, and the friend recalled that Harry and his brother, Prince William, were treated as ordinary members of the school community.

Those years were reportedly a source of comfort for Harry during difficult periods of his childhood, particularly before the death of his mother, Princess Diana, in 1997. The Sussexes reportedly want their children to experience something similar, with opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities, sports and a sense of belonging.

However, one aspect of the anticipated school routine reportedly caught Meghan by surprise. "At this time, Meghan is kind of shocked that they have school on a Saturday; other than that, she is looking forward to it," a friend said.

The same source said Harry and Meghan both believed their move to Britain was "the best decision for the family." For now, the couple appears to have secured another place to stay in the Cotswolds without purchasing the permanent family home they had reportedly been searching for.

And with Archie and Lilibet already having experienced a school change and several adjustments since August, their next chapter in Britain will depend on how the family settles into its latest arrangement.

As we previously reported, Harry and Meghan's return to Britain in August was expected to bring significant changes to their family life, with Archie and Lilibet preparing to attend a new school and the couple searching for a permanent countryside home.

However, their plans also raised questions about how long they would stay, which family members would remain in the United States, and how they would manage their new life between the two countries.

The Sussexes Are Coming Back but Not as Working Royals

The reported move does not mean Harry and Meghan are becoming working royals again. As reported by the Sun, the Sussexes are expected to live in a private residence rather than a royal property and continue their business and charitable interests. Harry also would not receive public money or undertake official royal duties while living in Britain.

The couple's plans had apparently been developing for some time. In fact, Harry and Meghan reportedly met with King Charles and Queen Camilla at Highgrove in July without telling Charles about their plans, with the king allegedly learning of the move just four days before it became public.

Harry has also been seen in Washington, D.C., since news of the move emerged. According to HELLO! Magazine's report on his appearance, he appeared in good spirits while attending a roundtable focused on veterans.

But while the return may put the family closer to Britain, not everyone in Harry and Meghan's immediate family is going with them.

The Family Member Who Won't Be Making the Move With Harry and Meghan

Sources familiar with the situation told TMZ that Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland, will remain in California despite her close relationship with Meghan, Harry and their children.

Doria maintains a home near Los Angeles and has built a life there that she is reportedly not ready to leave behind. She is also active in the local yoga community and has friends in the area.

The decision could change the family's day-to-day dynamic. Doria frequently drove to Montecito to visit Meghan, Harry and the children and even had her own quarters at their sprawling home.

She is expected to continue seeing the family, although where those visits will take place remains unclear. The Sussexes' return to Britain is also reportedly temporary, although exactly how long they will stay remains unclear.

A source told TMZ that whether the stay lasts six months, a year or something else is unclear because the decision is being made "day-by-day."

Doria's decision to remain in California isn't the only unexpected detail surrounding the move.

Then There Is the Money Question

According to Page Six's report, Harry and Meghan are dealing with a situation. "I am sure there are a lot of reasons [for the move], but I do think cash is a big one," one insider told Page Six.

That does not mean the couple is broke. A source emphasized, "They are not out of money," while another pointed to Harry's inherited wealth and said, "They had more money than most even before Megxit!"

The problem, according to the report, is the sheer cost of maintaining their lifestyle. Harry and Meghan have two mortgages on their reported $14.5 million Montecito mansion, along with household staff and a vacation home in Portugal. Their security costs are also reportedly around $3 million a year. As one insider put it, "Anything that comes in instantly goes out."

That makes the reported move particularly interesting because Harry and Meghan do not appear to be giving up their American life in California entirely.

Montecito Isn't Going Anywhere Just Yet

The Express UK reported that Harry and Meghan will retain their Montecito home and their holiday property in Portugal. The couple purchased their California estate in 2020 for $14.65 million, according to Page Six's report on the property.

The sprawling property reportedly has nine bedrooms and 16 bathrooms across 18,000 square feet. It also features rose gardens, century-old olive trees, a tennis court, a tea house, a children's cottage and a swimming pool, along with a two-bedroom guest house.

That makes the financial explanation particularly notable. The Sussexes could be preparing to spend more time in Britain without giving up the costly American lifestyle they have maintained for years.

Their business interests are another reason their ties to the United States are unlikely to disappear.

Harry and Meghan Still Have Business Ties in America

Archewell Productions, which Harry and Meghan launched in 2020, initially focused on producing scripted and unscripted films and series. According to Variety, the company's activity has become more limited, with the business now largely serving as a platform for Meghan's As Ever brand.

The couple's relationship with Netflix has also faced questions. In a March 2026 Variety report about their Netflix partnership, one insider described the mood inside the company by saying, "The mood in the building is 'We’re done.'"

The deal, however, remains intact. In May 2026, the outlet also reported that Harry and Meghan were developing a Netflix film adaptation of No Way Out: The Searing True Story of Men Under Siege, a memoir about British Major Adam Jowett's command of Easy Company in Afghanistan in 2006.

So despite the questions surrounding their entertainment business, the couple still have projects in development. Their professional lives are also expected to stretch across both sides of the Atlantic. Meghan is expected to continue leading As Ever from the couple's international bases, while Harry is expected to spend more time on his British charitable work.

He was already scheduled to be in Britain in September for events connected to WellChild and the Invictus Games.

While their business and professional lives in the U.S. may keep the Sussexes connected to America, spending more time in Britain also brings back a practical concern Harry has faced for years — the question of security for his family.

Security Could Make the Return More Complicated

Harry has previously argued that it would not be safe to bring Meghan and their children back to Britain without adequate protection. After losing a legal battle over his security arrangements, he was quoted by The Sun as saying, "I can't see a world in which I would bring my wife and children back to the UK at this point."

Yet the family is now reportedly preparing to spend an extended period there. Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Archie and Lilibet have also previously visited Britain without taxpayer-funded armed police.

Exactly what security arrangements will surround the family during their reported stay remains unclear. But the change is striking. A concern Harry once described as a reason he could not bring his family back is now part of a move that could keep them in Britain for months.

The Return Comes After Years of Family Tension

Harry and Meghan's relationship with the Royal Family has remained complicated since their departure. Harry previously described returning to Britain as emotionally difficult. In the 2021 Apple TV+ documentary The Me You Can't See, he said:

"For most of my life I always felt worried, concerned, a little bit tense and uptight whenever I fly back into the UK. For me, London is a trigger because of what happened to my mum."

The couple later discussed their experiences with the Royal Family and the British press in their Netflix documentary Harry & Meghan.

Harry described his departure for North America as his "freedom flight." By the time Harry released Spare, many of the family's private disagreements had become public.

The memoir included his account of a 2019 confrontation with his brother, Prince William, after William allegedly criticized Meghan. Harry said William described Meghan as:

"difficult," "rude" and "abrasive."

Harry alleged that the argument then became physical, writing that William "grabbed me by the collar, ripping my necklace, and … knocked me to the floor." He also wrote that he landed on a dog bowl, which broke and cut his back.

The account became one of the most widely discussed passages from Spare, although it remains Harry's account of the alleged confrontation.