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When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle purchased a home in Portugal this summer, it opened an unexpected opportunity for the Duke of Sussex to reconnect with his British royal relatives. Located near the residence of Harry's cousin Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank, the couple's new Portuguese retreat provides a chance to spend time with the only royal cousins their children Archie and Lilibet are likely to know well.
A royal insider says this proximity could allow Harry's children to experience aspects of royal life, even while living in California. "Harry must realize that his children won't grow up alongside William's kids George, Charlotte and Louis," the source told The Mirror. "The only royal friendships Lili and Archie are likely to forge will be with Eugenie's children. Chances are August and Ernest will be their only cousins to spend time with."
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Indeed, since stepping back from royal duties and relocating to Montecito in early 2020, Harry has found himself distanced from his family in the UK. He and Meghan no longer have a permanent home in Britain after vacating Frogmore Cottage last year. While Portugal holidays may offer Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet precious time with their Brooksbank cousins, it also keeps "a sliver of a connection to the royal family alive" for Harry himself, according to the insider.
Harry's Journey from Royal Darling to Divisive Duke
Of course, Harry's relationship with both the public and his relatives has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years. As Queen Elizabeth's former press secretary recalled, the Duke of Sussex was once "absolutely loved" by both the media and the people. During his two decades as a working royal prior to 2020, Harry's charm, humor and military service made him a favorite - "the media's darling."
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As Elsa Bowerman-Santley explained, "Harry was a war hero who had served in Afghanistan and he brought a sense of fun and likeness to the royal family." Compared to his more reserved older brother William, Harry came across as cheeky andapproachable. But things have clearly changed, Ms. Bowerman-Santley acknowledged.
Criticism of Harry and Meghan's decision to step back from royal duties, as well as their subsequent interviews and media ventures, have negatively impacted public opinion. Recent polls show the Sussexes rank amongst the least popular royals, with approval ratings of just 27% for Harry and 23% for Meghan. This decline underscores the growing dividebetween the couple and many in Britain, though the challenges of living life in the public eye as royals should not be underestimated.
Indeed, Ms. Bowerman-Santley sympathizes with the pressures Harry and Meghan continue to face, even from afar. "It's a tough job," she said of working for the royal family. "It's relentless and it's 24/7." While aides strive to manage ongoing media scrutiny, balancing royal duties with individual freedoms remains an ongoing struggle. Yet popular opinion has clearly turned against the couple in Britain - a far cry from Harry's former standing.
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Preserving Family Bonds Through Portugal Holidays?
Even so, Harry's summertime Portuguese retreat near Eugenie's home could prove meaningful on a personal level. With cousins August and Ernest providing playmates for Archie and Lili, it offers the chance to foster bonds between the next generation of royals. While public controversies may strain other family relationships, one royal commentator argued quality time with Eugenie's children "keeps a sliver of a connection to the royal family alive."
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Going forward, much about Harry and Meghan's relationship to the monarchy remains uncertain. But Portugal vacations, at minimum, preserve opportunities for Archie and Lili's tight-knit connection to the royal cousins they will grow closest to. And by spending holidays alongside Eugenie and Jack's young family, Prince Harry just may find respite from the pressures of the past few years through quality time with those still willing and able to connect with him on a personal level. Whether this in turn impacts any larger reconciliation remains to be seen. For now, Portugal provides an important family function - and possibility for future repair - that Harry is wise to maintain while weathering divisions from afar.
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