Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are set to return to the UK for "an extended period of time" after six years away, and one of the possible locations for their new home is just a 90-minute drive from James Hewitt, the former British army officer who has long been the subject of false rumours that he may be Prince Harry's biological father.
James Hewitt's Connection to the Royal Family
James Hewitt, a former Army captain, shot to global infamy in the mid-1990s after revealing his affair with Princess Diana. The late royal herself made no secret of their romance, publicly admitting the fling during her famed Panorama interview in 1995. Hewitt is believed to have become close with Diana around the same time Prince Charles was secretly seeing Camilla Parker-Bowles behind his wife's back. However, Hewitt has been haunted by false speculation that he was in fact Prince Harry's real dad in the years that followed.
Potential Locations for the Sussexes' New Home
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have already arranged a secret new British residence for their homecoming, with potential locations the source of much speculation. Their two children, Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, will be enrolled at British schools as the couple establishes themselves in a fresh UK base. Harry and Meghan walked away from King Charles by departing the UK six years ago. The monarch is believed to have been informed on Sunday that his son and daughter-in-law are heading back to Britain. Prince William and Princess Catherine have likewise been notified of the decision. The precise whereabouts of their new residence remains unconfirmed, but they are selecting from several options, The Sun reports.
One option is the Cotswolds, which has become increasingly favoured by American celebrities and would provide the pair with seclusion while maintaining proximity to the King's Highgrove Estate. Meghan also maintains connections to the region, via Soho House and her friend Markus Anderson. The Cotswolds is only a 90-minute drive from James Hewitt – a drive which is minimal compared to the road trips they would have taken when in the United States.
An alternative option is Althorp House in Northamptonshire, where Princess Diana was raised and where she rests. Harry paid his respects at his mother's resting place with his children in July. However, the location might prove less appealing to Meghan considering its remoteness from London.
The third possibility is Windsor, a favoured destination for royals wanting a more peaceful existence. Nevertheless, the pair might be hesitant to relocate near the Prince and Princess of Wales – who have established nearby Forest Lodge as their permanent residence – considering the chilly relations between the two households. They could also consider Norfolk, close to the Royal Family given that the King's Sandringham Estate is situated there and William and Kate own Anmer Hall.
Retaining US and Portuguese Properties
Despite their homecoming, the duo will retain their £11 million estate in Montecito, California, and their Portuguese retreat, which they used last month before returning to Britain for a series of official duties. There are no existing plans for either Harry or Meghan to return to their positions as working royals.
