Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, now based in Montecito, California, with their children Archie and Lilibet, continue to live a life distanced from the Royal Family.

This separation followed their decision to step back from royal duties in January 2020. However, their recent purchase of a property in Portugal has sparked speculation about its implications for their ties to the monarchy.

Despite being sixth and seventh in line to the throne, Archie and Lilibet have had minimal interaction with their royal relatives, including King Charles, Prince William, Princess Kate, and their cousins George, Charlotte, and Louis. Royal commentator Jennie Bond highlighted the significance of the Portugal home, noting its potential to foster a connection between Archie, Lilibet, and Princess Eugenie’s sons, August and Ernest, as the Brooksbank family splits their time between the UK and Portugal.

Speaking to OK!, Jennie expressed optimism about the Sussex children forming bonds with at least some royal cousins. Yet, she also described the situation as bittersweet. “It can only be good for the children to mix with at least some of their royal cousins,” she said. “How curious, and sad, it will be for Archie and Lilibet if they grow up knowing they are part of one of the most famous families in the world — and yet they are estranged from almost all of them. To know that their grandfather and uncle were both Kings, and they didn’t know them.”