Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s $4.7 Million Arrival in Portugal Is Met With Major Frowns and Boos by Locals

Published 10/21/2024, 4:11 AM EDT

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Star power is one thing that keeps drawing people worldwide and ending up within the proximity of any big-impact individual generally sends butterflies. But in the world where Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have quit as working royals, the starship is often dented with backlash and controversies and it is not only from the royal soil alone. It turns out that despite cashing out a whopping $4.7 million for a stay in Portugal, the Sussex couple has been welcomed with boos instead of claps.

While Markle and Prince Harry are not exactly oblivious to critics, this time the reason might take the royal fans aback.

Why did Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s touchdown in Portugal invite the locals upset?

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According to a recent report by Mirror, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have spent a staggering $4.7 million for a new holiday home in Portugal on one of the 300 residential developments at the 722-acre Costa Terra Golf and Ocean Club. However, as per The Mail, a local estate agent chimed in that the locals were not exactly on cloud nine with their arrival, having seen “much richer and much more famous people” buying property there.

via Imago

The agent mentioned if Jeff Bezos were to buy a property, the impact would be undeniable. However, the buzz surrounding the Duke and Duchess is not as intense. A local seafood restaurant owner even dismissed their move as a joke, pointing out the sharp contrast between the wealthy and ordinary people. Another local businessman suggested that “perhaps the shoes of princesses and actresses” got stuck between the cobblestones, referencing Christian Louboutin’s significant expenditure on upgrading the stones, only to reposition them slightly for his Vermelho hotel.

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Although the hate is totally unforeseen, a local businessman even offered his insights into why A-listers are basically drawn to the area.

The reason behind Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s financial splash in Portugal

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According to The Mail, locals think that big-impact individuals are generally attracted to the area due to the privacy it offers. Apparently, A-listers can live their lives unbothered without any star-studded fuss unless it is Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portugal football star in question. Jose Santos, the head of the local tourism board, nodded that indeed the area chosen by Meghan Markle and Prince Harry is the ideal combination of posh and privacy.

via Getty

Despite reports circulating about locals’ concerns that rising development in the area will soon drive up prices and push them out, an estate agent argued it would create jobs and bring investment to the community. However, with negative headlines already making waves, it is uncertain whether the Duke and Duchess will be welcomed with that peace and privacy Alentejo takes pride in.

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What do you think of the local outrage of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's estate purchase in Portugal? Let us know in the comments below!

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Anushka Bhattacharya

1406 articles

I'm Anushka Bhattacharya, an entertainment journalist at Netflix Junkie. Armed with a degree in literature, I once wielded my words to catalyze change within society through my work with NGOs. However, as I stumbled into the exuberant hole of crime thrillers and documentaries on Netflix, it was love at first sight and pushed me into entertainment journalism.

Edited By: Itti Mahajan

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