Harry and Meghan get a Cotswolds welcome — some neighbours are already saying go away

They Arrived on a Jet Plane — and already causing a stir

Harry and Meghan have barely arrived back in Britain after six years in America, but the Sussexes' prospective new neighbours have already made their feelings known.

And for some residents in the quiet Cotswolds countryside, the message is remarkably blunt:

Go away. We don't want you here.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived back in Britain with Archie and Lilibet on Wednesday, reportedly preparing for an extended stay as their children begin school in Britain.

The Cotswolds is widely reported to be the leading contender for the family's new private base.

But if Harry and Meghan were hoping to disappear quietly into the English countryside, they may have picked the wrong place.

'They should be banned'

The Daily Express has spoken to residents who are decidedly unimpressed by the prospect of having the Sussexes as neighbours.

One elderly woman reportedly told the newspaper: "They should be banned."

She described Meghan in particularly scathing terms, while another local said Harry had effectively "burned his bridges."

Other residents questioned why the couple had chosen to return after spending years in California and publicly discussing their difficult relationship with the Royal Family.

The biggest concern, however, appears to be less about Harry and Meghan themselves than about what comes with them.

The celebrity circus nobody ordered

Locals fear that the arrival of one of the world's most famous couples could transform their peaceful corner of England into a tourist attraction.

The Express reports concerns about "swarms" of people descending on the area, with residents worried about photographers, curious visitors and the inevitable media attention surrounding the Sussexes.

That is the great irony of Harry and Meghan's search for privacy.

They are reportedly attracted to the Cotswolds precisely because it offers the sort of rural peace and seclusion they have enjoyed in California.

But wherever Harry and Meghan go, the cameras tend to follow.

And some locals clearly don't fancy paying the price.

'They've spoiled everything for themselves'

Other residents have reportedly complained that the couple have "spoiled everything for themselves" and suggested that they need to make up their minds about where they actually want to live.

It is a criticism that goes straight to the heart of the Sussexes' extraordinary transatlantic existence.

They retain their vast home in Montecito and property interests in Portugal, while now establishing another base in Britain.

The Sun has reported that the family has secured UK accommodation but that the exact location is being kept secret for security reasons.

The Cotswolds remains the favourite, with Northamptonshire and the area around Princess Diana's family home at Althorp also being considered.

But not everyone wants them gone

There is another side to the story.

Not every resident is furious about the Sussexes' possible arrival.

Reuters spoke to people around Althorp who were relaxed about the prospect, with one resident joking that having Harry nearby might even push local house prices higher.

So the idea that an entire village is preparing to throw out the welcome mat in reverse would be misleading.

There are clearly locals who couldn't care less.

But there are also people who are already making their opposition very clear.

And that makes for an awkward welcome home.

Harry's return changes the equation

The Sussexes' return is particularly striking because Harry spent years portraying his American life as an escape from the pressures of royal life.

Yet he is now bringing his family back to Britain — although strictly as private citizens.

They will not resume royal duties, and they are not moving into a royal residence.

Instead, they appear to want the advantages of Britain without returning to the institution they walked away from.

For Harry, the attraction is obvious.

The Cotswolds puts him close to his father, King Charles, and within reach of many of his old connections. The family also wants Archie and Lilibet to experience British schooling and a closer connection with their father's homeland.

And then there is the attention

The Sussexes have spent years complaining about media intrusion and the invasion of their privacy.

Now some prospective neighbours are warning that their very presence could bring exactly the thing they supposedly want to escape.

More cameras.

More journalists.

More curious visitors.

More headlines.

And potentially more disruption to the quiet rural communities they are reportedly hoping will become their new home.

Welcome home, Harry and Meghan

There is something almost deliciously British about the situation.

Harry and Meghan arrive back after six years in California, reportedly seeking a peaceful country retreat.

And before they've even unpacked the bags, some of the locals are effectively standing at the garden gate saying:

Not here, thanks.

Others are perfectly happy to have them.

But the Sussexes may soon discover that moving back to Britain is one thing.

Finding somewhere in Britain where everyone is delighted to see them is quite another.

For a couple who have spent years insisting they wanted privacy, their biggest problem may be that the neighbours already know exactly who is moving in.

AN ORIGINAL CONTENT

If you remember they visited Althorpe House where Diana lived and is buried on their last visit to UK, Its about 13,000 acres, has to be some nice properties in there and I would not be surprised if they negotiated for a small part of that place...........

why such a fuss about that, who really cares, much/many more important things to worry about

I'd be happy to have dinner and drinks with them and Andy, but they'd need to be picking up the bill. Come to think of it, same goes for most AN members, and I'd even politely agree with whatever nonsense you wished to spout!

2 hours ago, Social Media said:

The Cotswolds remains the favourite, with Northamptonshire and the area around Princess Diana's family home at Althorp also being considered.

Have they not considered the Outer Hebrides, very private.

2 hours ago, Mavideol said:

why such a fuss about that, who really cares, much/many more important things to worry about

I've never had thousands of paparazzi camped out in my neighborhood, much less sifting through garbage bins. And I hope I never do.

I still can't believe these global warming/diversity champions just flew in on a gigantic CO2 belching private jet and made a beeline for what is probably the absolute whitest/least culturally enriched area of the country😅

Its almost as if....

5 hours ago, Macro said:

If you remember they visited Althorpe House where Diana lived and is buried on their last visit to UK, Its about 13,000 acres, has to be some nice properties in there and I would not be surprised if they negotiated for a small part of that place...........

More likely, as media indicated Cotswolds, that it is near Gatcombe Park where his aunt lives? But a search for private schools would narrow it down.

Edited August 27Aug 27 by VocalNeal

As a UK citizen, who spends at least 6 months in the UK ever year, I guarantee that most people really don't care.

The "issue" of H&M is an invention of cheap media, for the entertainment of a narrow, shallow minded segment of UK "consumers".

Edited August 27Aug 27 by Enoon

6 hours ago, Mavideol said:

why such a fuss about that, who really cares, much/many more important things to worry about

It is when yoou start funding there security.

33 minutes ago, Enoon said:

The "issue" of H&M is an invention of cheap media, for the entertainment of a narrow, shallow minded segment of UK "consumers"

the same people that tune into "Big Brother" and "love Island" etc etc

Yes, cause the UK needs to save it's millions of Quid for Ukraine perhaps ?

13 hours ago, Enoon said:

As a UK citizen, who spends at least 6 months in the UK ever year, I guarantee that most people really don't care.

The "issue" of H&M is an invention of cheap media, for the entertainment of a narrow, shallow minded segment of UK "consumers".

Just one question. Would you still be indifferent if they were your neighbours...?

Every move this unpopular couple make has a financial opportunity for them to exploit.

Their wedding guest Operah is waiting with big bucks for the latest royal revelations exposé.

13 minutes ago, IsaanT said:

Just one question. Would you still be indifferent if they were your neighbours...?

Rather H&M and the circus around them than shoving a thousand

"refugees" in to small villages like they are doing.

17 hours ago, Stocky said:

Have they not considered the Outer Hebrides, very private.

There is always the Falklands??😆

Time to remove the titles. Then they can carry on as private citizens and live wherever they wish.

Megan says she wants her children to have more contact with their grandfather. She cut contact with her own father when he had the audacity to give a press interview before her wedding.

Two faced grifter

13 hours ago, Sigmund said:

Yes, cause the UK needs to save it's millions of Quid for Ukraine perhaps ?

I would think more for the tens of thousands of illegals flooding into the UK?

The only thing I would care about this couple, were I living in the UK, is that I wouldn't want them living anywhere near me.

Surely one more black face shouldn’t make a lot of difference in the UK.

I guess the Brits are so blase they don't mind paying the millions required. Yeah, let old people die and give royals the money.

Seems fair.

4 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

Time to remove the titles. Then they can carry on as private citizens and live wherever they wish.

In all fairness Patong Harry served on two tours to Afghahn in the front line so will always be a potential target for a hit.

35 minutes ago, BarraMarra said:

In all fairness Patong Harry served on two tours to Afghahn in the front line so will always be a potential target for a hit.

Many others served in Afghanistan and are not targets, this person is the son of the King which makes him high profile. As much as I hate saying it, he has a point. Better to stay in USA. Much better...

19 hours ago, Enoon said:

As a UK citizen, who spends at least 6 months in the UK ever year, I guarantee that most people really don't care.

The "issue" of H&M is an invention of cheap media, for the entertainment of a narrow, shallow minded segment of UK "consumers".

Don't forget the US consumers. CNN covers them at least as much as the BBC.

5 hours ago, jippytum said:

Megan says she wants her children to have more contact with their grandfather. She cut contact with her own father when he had the audacity to give a press interview before her wedding.

Not THAT Grandfather. He's the poor one. She can cut him off. He's of no use, the pauper.

She wants them to have contact with the Grandfather who is the King and is worth almost a Billion dollars. Obviously that's just a coincidence though.

5 hours ago, jippytum said:

Two faced grifter

Indeed. Her problem is that she's a terrible actress so everyone can see it. Even the halfwit ginger has finally worked it out. 😄

He’s come back because he’s skint and thinks he can sponge off his father.

That’s not gonna work coz I’ve heard James Hewitt is skint too.

7 hours ago, Smokey and the Bandit said:

I would think more for the tens of thousands of illegals flooding into the UK?

for sure...but with basic maths, it all adds up between what is given to Ukraine, the illegals, the UK royals and so on...

trouble follows them around

Rumour has it the kids will stay in British schools until 18, Harry will remain in the UK whilst Megan will flit back and forth between California and the Cotswolds. More in the former to look after her various money making schemes, making jam, etc.