Netflix Star Delivers Brutal Verdict on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle After Becoming Cotswolds Neighbours
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to establish their long-term UK base in an undisclosed pocket of the idyllic Cotswolds continues to send ripples across British society. While the move marks a significant transition six years after their initial departure for California, not all affluent locals are thrilled about their arrival. Michael Whitehall, the sharp-tongued 86-year-old star of Netflix’s Travels with My Father and father of comedian Jack Whitehall, has delivered a scathing and dismissive verdict on his new high-profile neighbours.
Speaking alongside his wife, Hilary, on their popular podcast The Wittering Whitehalls, the veteran agent pulled no punches when discussing the couple’s quiet arrival in North Oxfordshire territory. When asked whether he hoped to cross paths with the Sussexes at the local grocery store, Michael bluntly declared: “They’re kind of, for me now, beyond ranting about. I mean, they’re ‘non-people’ really; not worth my getting upset about.” Hilary playfully ribbed her husband on air, noting that his on-mic remarks were actually tempered compared to the initial “nuclear” tirade he unleashed when their relocation was first made public.
In stark contrast to his disdain for Harry and Meghan, Whitehall was quick to offer glowing admiration for the Princess of Wales. Shifting the conversation to the direct line of succession, he praised Prince William’s wife, remarking: “I’m a big fan of that nice girl who is married to the heir to the throne; I think she’s amazing.” The sharp juxtaposition captures the lingering divide within British high society, where affection for Catherine remains sky-high while patience for the Sussexes continues to wane.
Royal commentators, however, emphasize that the Duke and Duchess chose the countryside specifically for privacy, convenience, and community rather than public validation. Channel 5 royal editor Simon Vigar observed that the Cotswolds connects Harry to happy childhood memories while providing discreet access to regional airports far away from London’s suffocating paparazzi. Furthermore, royal author Robert Jobson highlighted that the surrounding enclave near Soho Farmhouse already hosts an established network of wealthy, discreet friends, ensuring the couple remains well-connected without entering the capital’s media circus.