Harry and Meghan's arrival leaves Portuguese locals unimpressed: 'We've seen richer and more famous people!'
Harry and Meghan's arrival leaves Portuguese locals unimpressed: 'We've seen richer and more famous people!'
Reuters
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's arrival left the Portuguese locals unimpressed, as they are used to "richer and more famous people" buying property in the area.
A local estate agent, who has been working in Alentejo, Portugal for decades, has said the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were likely to have spent more than four million euros for a property on one of its exclusive resorts.
He said: "In recent years we have seen A-listers from the States buying homes or plots which are essentially closed environments.
"It's very high-end and homes range from four to 20 million euros.
Harry and Meghan's arrival leaves Portuguese locals unimpressed: 'We've seen richer and more famous people!'Reuters"There have been rumours in recent months that Harry and Meghan are among the latest buyers. But it's unclear if they have bought a home that is already built or if it is yet to be built."
However, locals are unlikely to be laying out the red carpet for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, according to the agent.
He continued to tell The Mail: "We have much richer and much more famous people buying here for sure. I think they will have zero impact, to be honest.
"If someone like Jeff Bezos bought here then, yes, there could be some impact – but not Harry and Meghan."
Cristiano Ronaldo has been described as Portugal's 'football hero'
Getty
The contrast between the wealthy who live in the gated estates and the locals is stark, according to local business owners.
In the village of Melides, near some of the gated resorts, locals sit in the square or small family-run cafes to play cards and share an afternoon beer.
The owner of a local seafood restaurant laughed at the mention of British royalty moving into the area, telling the publication: "The rich from the resorts don't eat with the poor."
One local businessman said A-listers were drawn to the area because of the privacy offered.
Meghan and Harry have been rumoured to buy a property in Alentejo
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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry follow Princess Eugenie to Portugal in shock Royal Family moveInstagram / GettyThey said: "They can walk around unbothered. People are not fussed. The only time there was any fuss about someone coming was when Cristiano Ronaldo turned up and that's because he's Portugal's football hero.
"Locals protect the privacy of the visitors so you won't catch anyone talking about seeing Meghan or Harry or anyone else."
Jose Santos, the head of the local tourism board, agreed that the area provided the perfect combination of luxury and privacy.
He said: "What all the foreigners, and nationals, too, value in the Alentejo, is luxury. That's not an ostentatious luxury but the luxury of serenity and of a quiet, safe country, where safety is very important.
"There's also a certain protection that many public figures feel in the Alentejo, where their personal lives won't be scrutinised as much as in other places."