Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made secret trip to Portugal for romantic break after the Invictus Games

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, reportedly enjoyed a "mega-secret" three-night break in Portugal after attending the Invictus Games in Germany. They flew from Dusseldorf to Lisbon and then traveled an hour south to the coastal town of Melides. During their stay, it is believed that they stayed with Prince Harry's cousin, Princess Eugenie, and her husband, Jack Brooksbank.

Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex (L) and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend the closing ceremony of the 6th Invictus Games, in Duesseldorf, Germany, 16 September 2023.

Prince Harry and Meghan have maintained a close relationship with Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank, as evidenced by the couple's visits to their home in Montecito, California.

Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank are believed to have hosted the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in Portugal 

Their trip to Portugal was kept confidential, and they chose not to publicize it through the press or their social media accounts. They arrived in Portugal without their children, Archie and Lilibet, and departed on September 20. They first flew from Lisbon to London Heathrow Airport and then continued to Los Angeles to reunite with their children, who had remained in California.

The couple are said to have visited Portugal before heading back to the United States

The choice of Melides as their destination is believed to be related to a possible invitation from Princess Eugenie, who has been spending significant time in that part of the Alentejo region due to her husband Jack Brooksbank's work.

The Sussexes' stay in Portugal took place at the CostaTerra Golf and Ocean Club in Melides, where Jack Brooksbank works in marketing and sales. This resort is known for its exclusivity and is located in the Alentejo region.

The couple's visit to Portugal was described as a "mega-secret operation" by the Portuguese magazine Nova Gente, and they were careful not to disclose details of their romantic getaway to the press or on their social media channels.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle departed from Lisbon's Humberto Delgado Airport on a British Airways flight, specifically BA flight 501. They were accompanied by two bodyguards. They boarded the plane, which was bound for London Heathrow Airport, in a white van.

According to a witness quoted by Nova Gente, the couple was seen boarding the flight "smiling slightly." Meghan Markle was dressed in black, with her hair tied up in a ponytail, while Prince Harry wore a T-shirt that was described as being a color between green and blue, along with jeans and trainers.

A well-placed Portuguese source confirmed the accuracy of the reports of the Sussexes staying in Melides, Portugal. This lends credibility to the information provided by Nova Gente.

Jose Santos, the head of the Alentejo Tourism Board, acknowledged that the Sussexes enjoyed a "short stay" at the CostaTerra Golf and Ocean Club resort in the Alentejo region. He expressed the belief that they likely had a good time and suggested that they might return to the region in the future. He also mentioned that the Alentejo region is known for attracting visitors who value discreet travel, making it a preferred destination for people linked to cinema, royalty, arts, design, and fashion.

This resort is described as a 700-acre residential community, and it's owned by a company founded by Mike Meldman, who is known for his association with George Clooney in the tequila firm Casamigos. Jack Brooksbank, Princess Eugenie's husband, had previously worked as a brand ambassador for Casamigos.

The CostaTerra Golf and Ocean Club in Melides, Portugal, offers a variety of real estate options, catering to different preferences and lifestyles.

CostaTerra emphasizes its environmentally thoughtful setting, focusing on a family-oriented, experience-based lifestyle, and prides itself on offering a high level of exclusivity. This resort aims to provide a unique and rare opportunity for ownership in Europe.

It's also mentioned that George Clooney and his wife, Amal Clooney, who attended the Sussexes' wedding in 2018, are reportedly planning to purchase a plot of land on the estate.