Residents of Comporta, Portugal, are expressing frustration after their once-public coastline has become exclusive to wealthy property owners in the CostaTerra beach resort, where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly purchased a new holiday home.
Until recently, restricting access to public beaches was illegal in Portugal. However, new regulations now allow local councils and government agencies to designate certain beaches as “private,” leading to the closure of many cherished natural spots across the Algarve, which locals once freely enjoyed.
One local named Bradley McGuiness wrote: “Worst thing to happen to the Portuguese coast, typical greed situation. Taking land and property from locals who have been enjoying it for years.”
Local Andre Andrade added: “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.”
A third local, Diana Queiroz wrote: “I have been going to this place for years, camped there several times and, because of this company, this is no longer possible.”
Comporta is just an hour’s drive south of Lisbon on Portugal’s west coast.
The Sus𝑠e𝑥es’ purchase of the property was said to have been prompted by Princess Eugenie’s husband Jack Brooksbanks’ job at the exclusive CostaTerra Golf and Ocean Club. Jack and Eugenie also own a villa there and spend the summer months at the property.
Express.co.uk exclusively revealed today that the resort’s properties have been designed by high end architecture and interior design firm Denton House which delivers “the world’s most glamorous residences and resort destinations”.
The resort is positioned on an unspoilt, picturesque stretch of beach in the Algarve and has become a popular holiday destination for the rich, thanks to it being relatively untouched by tourism.
The CostaTerra Golf and Ocean Club is owned by multimillionaire property tycoon Mike Meldman.
A co-founder of Casamigos tequila, along with George Clooney and Cindy Crawford’s husband Rande Gerber, Mike has been friends with Princess Eugenie’s husband Jack for years.
Jack works in marketing, sales, and promotion for Mike’s Discovery Land Company, which specialises in building luxurious private golf and residential holiday communities across the globe.
The Discovery Land Company has been developing the highly sought after 722-acre beachfront plot in Comporta since 2019.
Once completed, the resort is set to have 300 homes, with prices starting at a whopping £3.6million.
Princess Eugenie, Jack, and their two children August, 3, and Ernest, 1, currently have a holiday property on-site, which boasts impressive views over the Atlantic.
The family also has access to an 18-hole golf course, spa, and equestrian centre.
Madonna’s favourite stables, Cavalos na Areia, are around the corner, and the singer is said to have often ridden her horses along the nearby Pego beach in recent years.
Before purchasing property in Portugal, both Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, and Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbanks took turns in living at Frogmore Cottage, a historic Grade II listed home located on the King’s Windsor estate.