Meghan Markle's Portugal move has key benefit for Duchess of Sussex after cutting UK ties

The acquisition of a Portuguese property may allow the couple to obtain visa-free access to the EU's Schengen area.

This could be particularly appealing to Meghan, an American citizen who abandoned her bid for British citizenship after the couple left the UK in 2020.

The Sussexes' new Portuguese home ensures they maintain a foothold on the European side of the Atlantic, despite their primary residence being in California.

The move comes after their eviction from Frogmore Cottage by King Charles in 2023, which left them without a residence in the UK.

The Sussexes are not the only royals with property in Portugal.

Prince Harry's cousin, Princess Eugenie, and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, own a home in the CostaTerra Golf and Ocean Club.

Jack, 38, is employed in marketing and sales for CostaTerra.

The couple, along with their two sons, August, three, and Ernest, 16 months, divide their time between Portugal and London.

The Sussexes are known to be close to Eugenie, who featured in their 2022 Netflix series Harry & Meghan.

Last year, it was reported that Prince Harry and Meghan enjoyed a romantic three-night break in Portugal following the Invictus Games in Germany.

The couple reportedly flew from Dusseldorf to Lisbon before travelling to Melides in September 2023.

A source close to the Sussexes confirmed their visit to Portugal.

At the time, it was speculated that they stayed with Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank.

This visit may have been an opportunity for the couple to explore potential properties or finalise their own purchase in the country.

The Sussexes' eviction from Frogmore Cottage followed the publication of Prince Harry's controversial memoir, Spare which criticised several members of the Royal Family.

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The five-bedroom property, located in Windsor Castle grounds, was originally gifted to the couple by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2018.

Harry and Meghan spent £2 million on renovations, which they later repaid in full.

After their departure from the Royal Family in 2020, the cottage was briefly used by Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank until 2022.

The couple's main residence remains a £19.5 million Tuscan-style mansion in Montecito, California.

This property boasts seven bedrooms, 13 bathrooms, and various luxurious amenities including a library, cinema, gym, pool, and even a chicken coop.