Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have reportedly made a significant real estate investment in Portugal, purchasing a luxury vacation property within an exclusive beachfront development. The couple’s new property is located at the CostaTerra Golf and Ocean Club, a 722-acre high-end residential compound near the picturesque small town of Melides, about 81 miles south of Lisbon. However, while the royal couple may view this as their perfect escape, their purchase has not gone down well with the local community.
A Pricey Investment: Property Prices at CostaTerra
According to The Mirror, the luxurious properties in this gated development come with an eye-watering price tag. The starting price for a residence in CostaTerra is $4.7 million (£3.6 million), and that figure can rise significantly depending on the size and location of the property within the compound. The CostaTerra Golf and Ocean Club is billed as a haven for the ultra-wealthy, designed to provide families with a lavish lifestyle focused on luxury, leisure, and privacy.
The development offers expansive homes with breathtaking views of the ocean, private access to golf courses, and all the amenities one would expect from such a high-end project. However, while the buyers of these properties may view them as prime real estate, the local population is far less enthusiastic about the development.
Local Outrage Over Restricted Beach Access
The heart of the controversy stems from the fact that some stretches of beach, previously accessible to the public, have now been designated as private areas exclusively for the residents of the CostaTerra compound. In Portugal, the law historically prohibited the privatization of beaches, ensuring that they remained accessible to everyone. However, recent changes have allowed certain sections of coastline, particularly those connected to luxury developments, to become restricted areas. This change has left many Portuguese locals feeling both betrayed and shut out from coastal areas they have long enjoyed.
Bradley McGuiness, a long-time resident of Melides, expressed his anger in an interview with the Daily Record, calling the development “the worst thing to happen to the Portuguese coast.” He blamed it on what he described as “typical greed,” claiming that wealthy investors and developers are taking away land and property that locals have been using for years.
“It’s a typical greed situation,” McGuiness fumed. “They’re taking land and property from locals who have been enjoying it for years, making it impossible for the average person to enjoy the beach. It’s disgraceful.”
His frustration is echoed by many others in the community who feel that this luxurious development is a prime example of how the wealthy are increasingly encroaching on public spaces, particularly those by the coast, and transforming them into exclusive playgrounds for the rich.
Local Residents Speak Out: Losing Generational Memories
The anger among residents is not just about losing access to the beach, but about the emotional connection they have with the area. For generations, local families have visited these beaches to create lasting memories, and now they feel those traditions are being erased in favor of the elite few who can afford multi-million-dollar properties.
Another resident, who asked not to be named, shared their thoughts with The Daily Record, explaining how upsetting it is to see such a large part of their land being taken over. “I am very upset by this massive piece of Portuguese land destroyed for the rich, removed from the average local that had been creating memories in this place for generations and generations,” they said. “We’ve been coming here for as long as I can remember, and now it’s no longer possible.”
Resident Diana Queiroz, who has frequented the area for years, added a personal touch to the conversation, saying that she used to camp in the area before the development began. “I have been going to this place for years, camped there several times, and because of this company, this is no longer possible,” Queiroz lamented. “It’s heartbreaking to see this place, which was always full of life and laughter, now turned into a private enclave where only the wealthy are allowed.”
CostaTerra: A Luxurious Development Backed by Wealthy Investors
The CostaTerra Golf and Ocean Club is part of Discovery Land Company, a prestigious real estate enterprise founded by entrepreneur Mike Meldman. Meldman is also known for his collaboration with actor George Clooney in creating the billion-dollar tequila brand, Casamigos, before selling the company for a staggering $1 billion in 2017. Discovery Land Company specializes in developing ultra-luxury residential communities, with a portfolio that spans some of the world’s most sought-after locations, from the United States to the Caribbean and Europe.
CostaTerra has been in the works since 2019 and is marketed as a lifestyle-focused coastal residential community where families can enjoy an authentic luxury living experience. The development includes amenities like private golf courses, exclusive access to oceanfront views, and high-end resort-style services designed to attract affluent buyers from around the world.
The official website for CostaTerra describes it as “the ideal luxury getaway for families seeking an authentic, lifestyle-focused coastal residential community,” emphasizing its commitment to providing privacy, serenity, and an unmatched lifestyle to its residents.
A Royal Connection to Discovery Land Company
Interestingly, Meghan and Harry have a familial connection to the Discovery Land Company. Jack Brooksbank, who is married to Prince Harry’s cousin, Princess Eugenie, works in the marketing and sales department for the company. Brooksbank and Princess Eugenie already split their time between London and Portugal, residing partly in the area where the CostaTerra development is located.
The couple has two young children, three-year-old August and sixteen-month-old Ernest, and it is believed that they enjoy the quiet lifestyle and luxurious surroundings that Portugal offers. Brooksbank’s work for Discovery Land Company, combined with the royal couple’s family ties, may have played a role in Meghan and Harry’s decision to invest in the CostaTerra development.
A Path to a “Golden Visa” for Meghan and Harry?
In addition to the luxurious surroundings, it is also speculated that Meghan and Harry’s purchase of a home in Portugal could offer them significant legal and travel advantages. The couple is believed to be exploring the possibility of obtaining a “Golden Visa,” a program that allows non-EU nationals to gain residency in Portugal by making a significant investment in the country. This visa could grant them visa-free access to the European Union’s Schengen area, which comprises 27 countries.
For the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who have been living in California since stepping back from their royal duties in 2020, this could provide greater flexibility in their travel arrangements and open doors for future European ventures.
No UK Home Since 2023
Since 2023, Meghan and Harry have not had an official residence in the United Kingdom. The couple previously lived at Frogmore Cottage, a royal residence located on the grounds of Windsor Castle, which they moved into shortly after their wedding in 2018. However, in 2023, they were asked to vacate the property as part of the formal conclusion of their ties to the royal household.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have since focused on their life in California, where they reside in a mansion in Montecito. However, their recent purchase in Portugal indicates they may be looking for a more permanent foothold in Europe.
Locals vs. Luxury: The Tension Continues
As the CostaTerra development moves forward, it is clear that tensions between the local Portuguese community and the developers are not likely to ease any time soon. While the project promises to bring significant economic investment into the area and attract wealthy buyers from around the world, many locals feel that this comes at too high a cost—both in terms of losing their access to the coastline and witnessing the transformation of their beloved land into an exclusive enclave for the rich.
The development highlights the growing global issue of how luxury real estate projects often displace local communities and alter the cultural and environmental landscape of cherished areas. For the locals of Melides, the CostaTerra project represents a loss of history, culture, and identity, as the once-public beaches they grew up with become increasingly off-limits.
Only time will tell how this conflict between local residents and the developers behind CostaTerra will unfold, but for now, the growing tensions are a reminder of the challenges that come with balancing economic development with preserving local traditions and public spaces.
