PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle reportedly enjoyed a secret trip to Portugal after cheering on veterans at the Invictus Games.
The couple are said to have squeezed in a "romantic escape" before returning to the US after their stint in Germany for the tournament.
They put on a loved-up display in Dusseldorf, where Harry also celebrated his 39th birthday by swigging beer at the volleyball final.
It seems the Duke and Duchess of Sussex wanted to further mark the occasion with an intimate getaway – without the kids.
They are said to have taken up an invite from Princess Eugenie to spend a few days in the idyllic village of Melides.
According to Portuguese magazine Nova Gente, their travels to the tiny traditional village were part of a "mega-secret" operation.
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Harry, 39, and Meghan, 42, were said to have been keen to keep their beach break with their royal relatives under wraps.
Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank now split their time between Portugal and London due to his high-flying job.
He works in marketing and sales at a private resort near the village on the Alentejo coast, which is situated 80 miles south of Lisbon.
Jack works for the CostaTerra Golf and Ocean Club, which is owned by George Clooney's pal and Casamigos tequila tycoon Mike Meldman.
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Amal Clooney and former model Rande Gerber are also rumoured to have a stake in the members-only luxury residential community.
Eugenie, 33, and Jack, 37, are believed to reside in Melides, in the region dubbed the "Hamptons of Western Europe", for half the year.
It is no surprise that she invited her favourite cousin Harry to soak up the September sunshine at her swanky holiday home.
The Princess struck up a friendship with Meghan before the Sussexes began dating and the trio are believed to keep in regular contact.
They have remained close since Megxit, when Eugenie was handed the keys to Frogmore Cottage to stay with hubby Jack during Covid lockdowns in 2020.
She spent time with Harry at the Super Bowl in Los Angeles last year and was spotted in Montecito in February.
Eugenie was described as being "best friends" with the royal outcast in recent reports, despite his fallout with William and King Charles.
Harry spent a night in a hotel this month when he jetted to London for a charity bash ahead of the Invictus Games.
The Duke must apply in advance to stay in royal accommodation when he visits the UK after he and Meg were evicted from Frogmore Cottage.
Windsor Castle was deemed "inappropriate" and although he was told he was "welcome" at Balmoral to stay with the King and Queen, the offer was rejected due to his travel plans.
The Sussexes are said to have left their children Archie, four, and Lilibet, two, at home for their private getaway.
A well-placed Portuguese source today confirmed Harry and Meghan had recently stayed in Melides, saying: "The reports coming out of Portugal are accurate."
However, it is unclear if Eugenie was in the country to host her cousin and his wife at the time.
Nova Gente reported: "After the Invictus Games finished, on Saturday September 16, the couple headed to our country for a lightning trip.
"In a mega-secret ‘operation’, and with the reserve that has characterized them since they abdicated their royal duties in 2020, Meghan and Harry preferred not to publicize, either through the press or through their social networks, this ‘romantic getaway’.
"They arrived in Portugal without their children and as soon as they landed, they headed to Alentejo and more precisely to Melides."
The publication went on to speculate that Harry and Meghan could be eyeing up a property at CostaTerra to be close to Eugenie.
They have lived in their luxury £11.93million Montecito mansion since June 2020 after saying goodbye to the UK and royal life.
The pair reportedly stayed in Portugal until September 20, when they flew back to Heathrow on a British Airways commercial flight.
They then continued their journey home to California and made it back in time to attend an A-list bash last Friday.
Kevin Costner hosted a star-studded charity event at his £21million oceanside estate in Santa Barbara.
Harry and Meghan presented the legendary actor with an award for his work with One805, which supports first responders in the area.
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But the former Suits star suffered an awkward microphone blunder as she took to the stage in front of guests including Oprah Winfrey.
After listening to a number of speeches, the Sussexes took part in a royal-style walkabout and chatted with attendees.
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