Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen has issued a warning to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle should they become his new neighbours in the Cotswolds. It has been widely speculated that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex could be settling in the celebrity hotspot, where stars including Jeremy Clarkson, Beyoncé and the Beckhams all have homes.
Harry, Meghan and their two children, Archie and Lilibet, flew into the UK on a private plane from California shortly before midday on Wednesday, landing at Birmingham Airport. Their major U-turn comes after six years of living in the US, having stepped back from their senior royal duties in 2020.
Advice from a famous neighbour
Speaking exclusively to us, Laurence pointed out that Birmingham Airport is the closest major airport to the Cotswolds, adding to the clues about where they could be settling. The interior designer says there are two sides to the Cotswolds, the "Schmancy" side and the more laid-back area where he lives with his family.
Should Harry and Meghan settle in the same area, he has a warning for the Duchess in particular. He told us: "It is going to be interesting to see how the Duchess fits in because, unlike the other side of the Cotswolds, we're much less impressed by celebrity, which is why actually a lot of celebrities who are kind of like very good at being themselves are drawn to our side."
Locals can 'sniff b******t'
He named Prince Harry's aunt, Princess Anne, as an example, claiming nobody bats an eyelid when she's seen at the local train station. "You know, they like the fact that actually it's a lot more straightforward," he added.
Locals have reportedly already expressed their dislike over the royals potentially moving to the area, though Laurence believes Harry will be more welcomed than Meghan due to his previous ties to the region. "I think she's going to need to be very genuine," he said. "I think that's the big moment here, is that the Cotswold folk can really sniff b******t, you know, they can really sniff when people aren't being who they are."
A warning about 'steely females'
He also warned Meghan about the "really very steely females" he claims won't welcome her if she doesn't take his advice. "So I think the Duchess is going to need to not be too much about the airs and graces if she's going to be picking the kids up from the school gates," he added. "I wouldn't want to take them [other Cotswold mums] on, I wouldn't want to p**s them off, I can tell you now."
He added: "Unlike in Montecito, they don't have the celebrity safety net, [like they did with the likes of] Oprah Winfrey." Sharing his thoughts on the pair potentially moving to the area, Laurence said he would welcome the family of four and would also happily help them with their interior design. "We will welcome them with open arms into the Llewelyn Bowen Pattern Emporium if they need some help with some curtains or cushions or whatever, but I'm not entirely sure we're ever going to be Meghan's cup of tea," he added.
