Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have reportedly purchased a vacation home in Portugal.

The Sussex couple has purchased a home in Alentejo, Portugal, the Daily Mail reported. Royal family expert Richard Fitzwilliams said the purchase was “very significant,” especially since Harry's cousin, Princess Eugenie, lives in Meridades, south of Lisbon, Portugal.

Fitzwilliams suggested that Meghan and Harry's decision to purchase property in close proximity to Princess Eugenie demonstrates the “close bond” that the cousins share. The royal expert also noted that the move “shows [clearly] that they are closely connected to parts of the royal family, and it will be interesting to see how they intend to develop this.”

The royal expert noted how close Harry and Meghan are to Eugenie and her family. He explained, “[Princess Eugenie and Brooksbank] moved in when the Sussexes vacated Frogmore Cottage and have reportedly seen each other in California and in Portugal, where Jack works.”

Having a home in Portugal may also give the Sussexes better access to the EU and the UK.

Fitzwilliams explained that “they may, for example, be more likely to visit the UK alone, or perhaps jointly, without having to participate in royal life and ceremonies at Sandringham or Balmoral.”

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made a “mega-secret” trip to Portugal in September 2023, after leaving the Invictus Games in Düsseldorf, Germany; Page Six reported that during their trip Meghan and Harry spent time with actor Chris Evans and his wife Alba Baptista, but the encounter was completely unscheduled.

“[Evans and Baptista] bumped into the royals in bars and restaurants while abroad in Europe,” Page Six reported. The couple did not know each other and their encounter was completely coincidental.”