Harry and Meghan get a Cotswolds welcome — some neighbours are already saying go away They Arrived on a Jet Plane — and already causing a stirHarry 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 orderedLocals 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 goneThere 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 equationThe 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 attentionThe 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 MeghanThere 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
