Prince Harry and Meghan Markle could be heading for one of Britain’s most sought-after countryside regions — but some potential neighbours are already making it clear that the Sussexes would not receive a universally warm welcome.
As speculation grows over whether the Duke and Duchess of Sussex could establish a home in the Cotswolds following their return to Britain, residents in Moreton-in-Marsh have offered sharply divided views on the prospect of having the couple nearby.
Some locals said Harry and Meghan have every right to live wherever they choose. Others, however, expressed deep resentment over the couple’s past criticism of the Royal Family, with one resident going as far as saying the Sussexes “should be banned” from the area.
The contrasting reactions underline a difficult reality for Harry and Meghan: their return to Britain may bring them closer to family and familiar surroundings, but it is unlikely to erase the divisions that have followed them since their departure from royal life.
‘They’re a disgrace’
Some of the strongest criticism came from a local resident who blamed Harry and Meghan themselves for damaging their standing in Britain.
Discussing the couple’s previous public comments about the Royal Family, the resident argued that they had “spoiled everything for themselves” by speaking about their disputes with relatives.
She described the situation as “so sad” before turning her criticism toward Meghan.
The resident also accused the Duchess of hypocrisy over privacy and suggested that Harry had been heavily influenced by his wife.
Those comments are clearly the views of one individual and cannot be taken as representative of the entire Cotswolds community. But they demonstrate that years after Harry and Meghan stepped away from royal duties, strong feelings about their actions remain.
‘If you have family issues, you keep them to yourself’
Another local took a less hostile but still sceptical position.
He said he was largely “indifferent” to the possibility of Harry and Meghan moving into the area, although he admitted he was not particularly fond of the Duke.
For him, the main issue was the couple’s decision to discuss private family disagreements publicly.
“If you have family issues, you keep them to yourself,” he said.
He also questioned whether Harry and Meghan would naturally fit into the local community, describing them as an “entirely different genre.”
When asked whether their arrival could trigger a backlash, his response was blunt: “Absolutely.”
The concern is not necessarily surprising. The Cotswolds is home to numerous wealthy and famous residents, but the Sussexes operate on an entirely different level of international visibility.
Their presence could bring photographers, journalists and royal followers into an area valued for its quiet villages and relative privacy.
Has Harry ‘burnt his bridges’?
For another resident, the bigger problem is Harry’s relationship with Britain itself.
The Duke left the UK for North America after stepping back from royal duties with Meghan in 2020. Since then, the couple have spoken publicly about their experiences within the monarchy through interviews and documentaries, while Harry detailed further grievances in his memoir, Spare.
One resident said it was a “shame” to see how the situation had developed but argued that Harry could sometimes be “his own worst enemy.”
The resident suggested that the Duke had made his return more difficult through his previous comments and actions, ultimately claiming he had “well and truly burnt his bridges.”
Whether that assessment reflects wider public opinion is impossible to establish from one person’s remarks. Yet it highlights the challenge facing Harry as he spends more time in the country he left six years ago.
One local claims Harry is returning for money
The most striking accusation came from another resident, who questioned the motives behind Harry’s return.
“He’s only coming back for money,” the person claimed, suggesting that the Duke could no longer make a living in America.
There is no evidence in the report to establish that allegation as fact.
Harry and Meghan continue to have commercial and charitable interests, while their connection to California is also expected to remain.
The comment should therefore be viewed solely as the personal opinion of one local resident.
Nevertheless, it illustrates how closely the Sussexes’ decisions continue to be scrutinised, with even their choice to spend more time in Britain prompting speculation about their motivations.
Not everyone is against the Sussexes
The response in Moreton-in-Marsh was far from universally hostile.
Some residents were notably more relaxed about the possibility of Harry and Meghan becoming neighbours.
One person said the couple could live wherever they wished, provided they did not move particularly close to them.
Another focused on a more practical concern: whether their arrival would lead to increased traffic, visitors and media attention.
That is significant in a region whose appeal partly comes from its peaceful surroundings. One resident compared the potential influx of attention to the interest generated around Clarkson’s Farm.
But other locals saw no reason for Harry and Meghan to be treated differently from anyone else.
“People are entitled to live wherever they want to live,” one resident said.
Another defended Meghan, arguing that the Duchess receives “a lot of really bad unnecessary press.”
The resident also pointed out that the Cotswolds already attracts celebrities and described it as an exceptionally beautiful part of Britain.
From that perspective, Harry and Meghan choosing the region would simply make them the latest high-profile residents rather than an unwelcome intrusion.
Harry and Meghan already have ties to the area
The Cotswolds would not be an entirely new environment for the Sussexes.
Harry and Meghan previously rented a country property in the region during their time as working royals. The area also offers several features that could appeal to the family, including privacy, countryside living and proximity to established celebrity circles around places such as Soho Farmhouse.
For Archie and Lilibet, a move to the countryside would also represent a very different childhood from the one they have experienced in California.
Yet speculation about the Cotswolds should not be confused with confirmation.
Harry and Meghan have not publicly announced that they are permanently relocating to the region. Reports have suggested that they have considered properties there, but the exact location of any British residence has not been confirmed.
A return that could prove complicated
The reaction from potential neighbours offers a glimpse of the complicated reception Harry and Meghan could encounter if they eventually settle in the Cotswolds.
The Duke may be returning to his home country, but six years away have fundamentally changed his relationship with Britain and the public conversation surrounding the Sussexes.
Some remain deeply critical of the couple and their decisions.
Others appear less concerned about their personal history but worry that their international profile could disrupt the tranquillity of local communities.
And some residents simply believe Harry and Meghan have the same right as anyone else to choose where they want to live.
That division could become an important part of the Sussexes’ next chapter.
Their return to Britain potentially places them closer to King Charles, Prince William and the wider Royal Family, while also giving Archie and Lilibet a stronger connection to the country.
But finding a home may prove easier than finding universal acceptance.
For now, the Cotswolds remains only a possible destination. Harry and Meghan have yet to confirm that it will become their permanent British base.
Even so, the debate among potential neighbours has already begun — and it shows just how complicated their homecoming could be.