With the Duke and Duchess of Sussex officially back in the UK, there’s been a lot of speculation about where they will live. Some reports suggest that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will settle in the Cotswolds, while others claim they could move into ex-Prince Andrew’s former home.
According to The Times, the Royal Lodge—which Andrew and Sarah Ferguson were forced to vacate in early 2026—may soon be on the market. However, not just anyone can move in: potential tenants must pass “strict security checks” and be able to afford the $540,000 annual upkeep. The property is reportedly available starting in October 2026.
The Royal Lodge, owned by the Crown Estate, has been part of the British royal family for many decades, but the Daily Mail recently reported that no current family member wants to sign the lease.
“The Crown Estate is a business, so the bean counters there are relieved Andrew didn’t give up his lease early, as the ongoing costs would have become their obligation, not Andrew’s,” a source told the outlet.
Prince William and Kate Middleton were once rumored to be interested in acquiring the Royal Lodge, but they ultimately chose to move into the Forest Lodge. Now, it seems Harry and Meghan have the opportunity to live in a royal home again (though they’ve said they want the opposite).
This development isn’t unexpected, as royal insider Rob Shuter reported back in March 2026 that King Charles was considering offering Harry and Meghan the 30-room mansion.
“This would be the ultimate olive branch,” a source told Naughty But Nice. “Charles wants unity. Offering Harry a significant Windsor property would send a powerful message that the door is still open.”
They added, “It’s about keeping family close — geographically and emotionally. Whether they accept is another matter.”
The Royal Lodge’s hefty price tag may ultimately prove too much for Harry and Meghan to handle, especially since they plan on keeping their multi-million dollar homes in Montecito and Portugal, both of which carry significant expenses.
“Keeping Montecito is an enormous financial commitment when Harry and Meghan will no longer be living there as their primary residence,” a source explained to RadarOnline. “The mortgage and property tax alone are estimated at roughly $600,000 annually, and that is before you consider security, insurance, gardeners, household staff and the constant maintenance required for an estate of that size. It could become an extraordinarily expensive second home.”
Another source agreed, emphasizing, “Once all those additional expenses are included, maintaining Montecito while simultaneously establishing another family home thousands of miles away becomes a significant financial undertaking.”
A separate insider noted that this situation could place “enormous strain” on Harry and Meghan’s finances, explaining, “The Sussexes are undoubtedly wealthy, but wealth doesn’t make somebody immune from cash-flow problems. Their lifestyle requires substantial recurring income, and these aren’t expenses that simply disappear during a quieter year professionally. If earnings fall while costs remain at this level, maintaining everything could eventually become extremely difficult.”