Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's 'sad' decision over Archie and Lilibet - with just one hope for future
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's decision to purchase a property in Portugal has been seen as the ultimate symbol that the couple wish to integrate some parts of the European way of life in their children's futures. Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet have spent very little time in the UK, despite being sixth and seventh in line to the throne, and, as a result, have not spent much time with their royal cousins.
And, with the prospect of spending more time in Portugal, a leading royal expert has said the two people who will benefit the most will be the couple's young children. "It may well be that with Donald Trump back in the White House, Harry and Meghan might spend more time in their Portugal house, at least in the school holidays," former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond exclusively told OK!
The move will surely be a blessing and will have the potential to foster strong ties between the Sussex children and Princess Eugenie's sons, August and Ernest Brooksbank, as the family already split their time between the UK and Portugal.
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The fact that Archie and Lilibet will be able to have a connection to their father's side of the family is praised by Jennie, while she recognises it would be "sad" for them not to be closer to their relatives, as she adds: "It can only be good for the children to mix with at least some of their royal cousins.
"How curious, and sad, it will be for Archie and Lilibet if they grow up knowing they are part of one of the most famous families in the world — and yet they are estranged from almost all of them. To know that their grandfather and uncle were both Kings, and they didn’t know them."
Reflecting on the pair's one hope for their children's futures, Jennie continues: "The Portugal house does suggest that Harry and Meghan want the children to experience European culture, and get to know Eugenie’s kids. Perhaps we shall finally see some pictures of the Sussex brood, playing with their cousins. But, by now, they must be steeped in the Californian way of life and sound like proper little Americans."
This comes after leading royal expert, Richard Fitzwilliams, called the couple's move "extremely significant".
"This is a surprise and is extremely significant. We have known that Harry and Meghan and Eugenie and her husband Jack have been close for years," said the expert commentator to FeMail. "They moved into Frogmore Cottage when the Sussexes vacated it and have reportedly seen each other in California and in Portugal, where Jack works.
"This proves they are close and it also gives the Sussexes a base in the EU with the possibility of acquiring the Golden Visa which would give them free access to the EU’s Schengen area. This also gives them a base near Britain. It makes clear that they are connected closely to part of the Royal Family and it will be interesting to see how they intend to develop this."
On how Archie and Lilibet, in particular, will be affected, Richard added: "It will certainly involve their children and we may see photos of Archie and Lili, in the future, possibly the distant future, we may well see them with Eugenie and Jack and their family. This move obviously advertises that the couples are close."
The relationship between Prince Harry and Princess Eugenie has always been warm - something which has been seen since Harry and Meghan stepped back from their roles as Eugenie was captured playing on a Californian beach with Archie in the couple's self-titled Netflix series.
And while they have built up their lives on the West Coast, a royal insider previously told royal author Tom Quinn: "Meghan does miss some aspects of life in the UK and worries that her children will blame her if they never get to see their cousins and feel as adults that they have been deprived of what might have been a fun and meaningful existence in the UK."
This idea, Jennie told us, is "a legitimate point". She says: "Children grow up and are innately curious about their heritage and background… and when your heritage is one of the most famous families in the world, it will undoubtedly seem rather odd and perhaps sad that you hardly know or remember them.
"Imagine Archie, aged 15, telling his friends, 'My grandpa is/was King! And my Uncle is/will be King too.' But he hardly knew or met them. How sad… and Meghan would have to bear the brunt of the responsibility for that."
The expert continues: "I’m sure that, like Harry, she wants the very best for their children... and that will include an understanding of their background. I just hope that by the time Archie and Lili grow up, things will be calmer and the family more united, even if they continue to live thousands of miles apart. This is not the children’s fault or responsibility so let’s hope the adults can make it a better world for the next generation of royals."
