Where is Harry and Meghan's summer getaway? From a 'second home' in Portugal to a sentimental French villa, all the places the couple could be hiding out as they 'holiday in Europe' while UK visit hangs in the balance
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are reportedly currently holidaying in Europe with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet... but which country is hosting their summer trip?
Published: 14:13 BST, 30 June 2026 | Updated: 14:34 BST, 30 June 2026
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are currently said to be holidaying in Europe with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet... but which country is hosting their summer trip?
Given their track record of enjoying a European break, there are a number of repeat destinations that Montecito-based Meghan Markle and Prince Harry might've chosen to take their children.
Among the options is Portugal, the country where the Sussexes reportedly purchased a second property near Harry's cousin, Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank .
Also on the list is the South of France , a spot that no doubt brings back happy memories of their stay in an exclusive villa in the upmarket Nice shortly after the birth of their son in 2019.
After their trip, Harry will be in the UK early next month as the countdown to his Invictus Games in Birmingham begins, and he had intended to bring Meghan and their two children with him.
But whether Archie and Lilibet, who have not seen their grandfather since their last trip to Britain in June 2022 for Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations, will be visiting alongside their father is uncertain.
Harry is said to be furious that his request for a review of their police protection was turned down 'at the 11th hour'. He is reported to blame his father's aides - the so-called 'men in grey suits', with whom relations remain strained.
In the meantime, however, the family are no doubt enjoying some downtime with their children. Below, the Daily Mail explores the potential destinations...
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (pictured on holiday last year) have jetted abroad to a European destination
The couple are said to have taken their children - Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet (pictured earlier this year) - with them
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are said to have enjoyed a stay at George Clooney's Villa Oleandra (pictured) on Lake Como in 2018
Pictured: Amal and George Clooney at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, for the wedding of Meghan and Harry in 2019
Meghan and Harry might have chosen to enjoy an Italian getaway after reportedly staying with George and Amal Clooney at the A-list couple's exclusive retreat on Lake Como in 2018.
Local police helped mount a huge operation to ensure the then-royal newlyweds remained secure during their visit to the 18th-century Villa Oleandra, according to media reports in Italy.
Clooney and his human rights barrister wife Amal, who were among stars at the couple's wedding in Windsor, were at the villa with their twins Alexander and Ella.
According to Italian magazine Chi, Meghan helped look after the couple's twins while Harry and George played basketball with other friends.
On one evening of the Sussexes' trip, Clooney laid on a gala dinner for his celebrity guests. About 15 friends attended, and the party is said to have gone on until the early hours.
Clooney, 65, fell in love with Italy and purchased the villa in the village of Laglio in 2002.
At the time, the actor paid £10million (€11.7 million) for Villa Oleandra, which came with 25 rooms, an outdoor theatre, a swimming pool and a garage to house all of his motorcycles.
The luxurious estate also has a tennis court, a full gym, landscaped gardens, ornately carved ceilings, massive bathrooms, a separate 'pizza room', and a wall to keep the lake from pouring directly into the house.
Lake Como is known for its expensive celebrity homes, and one of Clooney's neighbours is said to be celebrity fashion designer Donatella Versace.
The presence of Clooney led the local council to approve an ad hoc regulation to protect the Hollywood star's privacy.
Princess Eugenie with husband Jack Brooksbank and their sons August and Ernest. The family have been splitting their time between the UK and Portugal since 2022
The beaches in Melides (pictured, stock image) - which is only an hour's drive from Lisbon - are sandy and can go on for 40 miles
There may be over 3,000 miles separating the Hamptons from Melides in Portugal - but these two holiday destinations have more than just glorious sandy beaches in common.
Namely, they both count Meghan and Harry among their A-List fans.
In 2024, reports surfaced that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex purchased a £6.3million property in Melides - where they enjoyed a romantic, five-night getaway in 2023.
The exclusive area, which was once a small fishing town, has been dubbed the 'Hamptons of Portugal' thanks to its A-List residents, including Gisele Bunchen and Prince Harry's cousin Princess Eugenie.
Unsurprisingly, the European holiday hotspot is brimming with the kind of amenities these residents could easily find in the Hamptons - including a world-class spa, art galleries and restaurants run by big-name chefs.
Over the years, the area has been compared to St Tropez in the 1960s thanks to its secluded beaches - which are said to be ideal for Prince Harry's hobby of surfing.
Like the Hamptons, the beaches in Melides - which is only an hour's drive from Lisbon - are sandy and go on for 40 miles.
In 2022, Conde Nast Traveller dubbed Melides 'Portugal's next big beach town' amid a flurry of new club openings.
Meanwhile, luxury hotel website Mr & Mrs Smith has also raved about the 'blissful' location.
It wrote: 'You have miles of desert beaches to play on, pristine pockets of nature to bike or ride through, and small villages for fresh-as-can-be seafood stops.'
According to local newspaper Olive Press , house prices in Melides shot up by 150 per cent in the first quarter of 2023 as celebrities flocked to the area.
In 2023, Christian Louboutin opened his five-star hotel Vermelho in the up-and-coming area of Portugal - cementing its position as a celebrity-approved destination.
Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank have owned a property in CostaTerra Golf and Ocean Club in Melides since 2022.
Jack Brooksbank, works in marketing and sales for CostaTerra. He, Eugenie, and their two sons, August, and Ernest, split their time between Portugal and London .
Meghan flew to a £108,000-a-week villa in Ibiza, featuring a 50-metre infinity pool, for her 38th birthday (pictured: Stock image of Ibiza)
