Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may be preparing for a new chapter in Britain, but one famous face in the Cotswolds has already offered the couple some very direct advice about fitting in with the local community.

Interior designer and television personality Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen has spoken exclusively about the possibility of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex becoming his neighbours, warning that life in the Cotswolds could be very different from their experience in Montecito.

The couple are widely rumoured to be considering a move to the Cotswolds, an area that has become popular with celebrities including Jeremy Clarkson, Beyoncé and the Beckhams.

Harry, Meghan and their children, Archie and Lilibet, recently returned to the UK from California, arriving at Birmingham Airport on Wednesday shortly before midday.

Their return comes six years after they stepped back from their senior royal duties in 2020 and subsequently established their life in the United States.

Why Birmingham Airport has fuelled speculation

Birmingham Airport is the closest major airport to the Cotswolds, a detail that has added to speculation that the family could be spending more time in the region.

Llewelyn-Bowen, who lives in the area with his family, believes there is a significant difference between the various parts of the Cotswolds.

He described one side as the more glamorous, celebrity-focused area, while saying the part where he lives has a considerably more relaxed attitude towards famous residents.

According to the designer, local people are less impressed by celebrity status and instead value people who simply behave naturally.

That could prove particularly important for Meghan if she and Harry do eventually settle there.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are heavily rumoured to be settling into the Cotswolds (Image: Getty)

‘She’s going to need to be very genuine’

Llewelyn-Bowen said he would be interested to see how Meghan adapts to the local culture.

“It is going to be interesting to see how the Duchess fits in because, unlike the other side of the Cotswolds, we’re much less impressed by celebrity,” he said.

He explained that this attitude is part of what attracts celebrities who are comfortable simply being themselves.

As an example, he pointed to Harry’s aunt, Princess Anne, saying locals can see her at the local train station without making a major fuss.

“You know, they like the fact that actually it’s a lot more straightforward,” he added.

While Harry could potentially benefit from his existing connections to the region, Llewelyn-Bowen suggested Meghan would need to establish her own relationship with local residents.

“I think she’s going to need to be very genuine,” he said.

“The Cotswold folk can really sniff b******t, you know, they can really sniff when people aren’t being who they are.”

Laurence believes Prince Harry will be more welcomed than Meghan (Image: Getty)

A warning about the Cotswolds’ ‘steely females’

The interior designer also had a particularly pointed warning about the women Meghan could encounter in the local community.

He described them as “really very steely females” and suggested that the Duchess should avoid arriving with an overly formal or celebrity-focused attitude.

“So I think the Duchess is going to need to not be too much about the airs and graces if she’s going to be picking the kids up from the school gates,” he said.

“I wouldn’t want to take them [other Cotswold mums] on, I wouldn’t want to p*** them off, I can tell you now.”

The comments highlight the difference Llewelyn-Bowen sees between the Cotswolds and the couple’s current home in Montecito, California.

He argued that Meghan and Harry would not have the same celebrity environment around them that they have experienced in California.

“Unlike in Montecito, they don’t have the celebrity safety net,” he said, referring to connections with figures such as Oprah Winfrey.

‘We will welcome them with open arms’

Despite his warnings, Llewelyn-Bowen stressed that he would personally be happy to welcome Harry, Meghan and their children if they do move into the area.

He even joked that he would be willing to help them decorate their new home.

“We will welcome them with open arms into the Llewelyn Bowen Pattern Emporium if they need some help with some curtains or cushions or whatever,” he said.

However, he admitted that his own design style might not necessarily appeal to Meghan.

“But I’m not entirely sure we’re ever going to be Meghan’s cup of tea,” he added.

The comments come as speculation surrounding the Sussexes’ potential future in Britain continues to grow.

For now, there has been no confirmation that Harry and Meghan are permanently relocating to the Cotswolds. Their return to the UK, however, has renewed attention on where the family could eventually choose to establish a base.

And if they do become neighbours to Llewelyn-Bowen, they already know exactly what he believes will be the key to winning over the locals: keep it genuine, forget the airs and graces, and don’t underestimate the Cotswolds mums.