Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, shocked the world on Wednesday afternoon by announcing their intention to “withdraw” from their duties as senior members of the royal family.
What does that mean? Aside from the fact that royal family reunions just got a lot frostier, it means Meghan and Harry are moving. The pair said they intend to split time between the UK and North America while raising their son, baby Archie.
This raises a big question: Where will Harry and Meghan decide to live in North America? Here are seven places they could end up.
1. New York
If Meghan and Harry settle in NYC, it would have to be Brooklyn ... because everyone moves to Brooklyn. Meghan could indulge in vegan fare at Govinda's Vegetarian Lunch with other former TV actress-moms who live in Brooklyn, such as Sarah Jessica Parker and Keri Russell. Harry could buy Archie whimsical vintage onesies at Brooklyn Flea.
2. Sleepy Hollow, New York
After two years of constant surveillance by the British tabloids, Harry and Meghan probably crave privacy. They could find it in Sleepy Hollow, a quiet town a half-hour north of NYC. Residents wouldn’t bat an eye; they regularly hobnob with famous people. Caitlyn Jenner graduated from the local high school, and TV series including Escape at Dannemora, Divorce and Sneaky Pete have been filmed here.
3. Montecito, California
Oprah Winfrey, a close friend of Meghan’s, lives in a 23,000-square-foot mansion in Montecito, close to Santa Barbara. She could undoubtedly make room for the couple while they house hunt. Archie could even take over a wing of the house just to store his rattles.
4. Nashville
You can’t find a hipper, more trendsetting couple than Harry and Meghan, and where do all the cool people go these days? Nashville, one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the United States. The duke and duchess could ask local residents Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban to babysit for Archie while mom and dad check out must-sees like the Country Music Hall of Fame and Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge.
5. Ashville, North Carolina
Once one has lived in castle, it’s hard to feel at home anywhere else. If Meghan and Harry move to Asheville, they can pay frequent visits to the Biltmore Estate, the country’s largest privately owned home, to remind them of their castle across the pond.
6. Canada
Canada is part of the commonwealth, and so the royal couple could even move their offices to the country. Meghan already has local connections. She shot the TV show Suits for seven years in Toronto, and Harry stayed with her there while they dated. Or maybe they'll settle on Vancouver Island where they recently spend their six-week holiday, possibly solidifying their monarchy-shaking plans.
7. Hollywood
Meghan’s hometown of Hollywood might be the best place to raise a royal baby. Everyone else is famous, too, so no one would bat an eye when little Archie shows up to preschool.
