Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s countryside lovenest is now guarded by anti-terror cops armed with sub-machine guns
MEGHAN Markle and Prince Harry’s countryside lovenest is now a fortress — guarded by terror cops with sub-machine guns.
The £1.4million retreat was secretly upgraded to receive official anti-terror protection just like Buckingham Palace, No10 and spy centre GCHQ.
The move is believed to be over fears of a Taliban attack after ex-soldier Harry admitted he “blew Taliban extremists to pieces” as a helicopter pilot in Afghanistan.
Police in black combat gear toting military-grade firearms have stopped and searched anyone caught wandering near the hidden Cotswolds woodland retreat.
The special ops team is made up of 12 officers working in rotation plus others from Thames Valley Police in unmarked armed response 4x4s.
It is usually deployed at high-risk city terror targets.
The 18th-century farmhouse and surrounding area has also been classed a “protected site” under the 2005 Serious Organised Crime and Police Act.
It means trespassers could face six months’ jail.
State-of-the-art security cameras and motion sensors line the driveway to the pad, on a millionaire landowner’s private estate.
But it means Harry, 33, and Meghan, 36, can enjoy time as newlyweds away from prying eyes.
Their recently renovated three-bedroom country home also boasts walk-in his-and-hers wardrobes, a two-tiered kitchen and stables.
‘She seems intent on embracing village life’
Meghan is said to be keen to ride, with Harry giving her lessons.
After secretly moving in a few weeks ago, the new Duke and Duchess of Sussex have already won over the Oxfordshire villagers.
A source said last night: “All the neighbours were excited when we heard rumours they were coming.
“Although we see more police around now, they are a wonderful addition to the community.
“Meghan, especially, seems intent on embracing village life. They’ve been on romantic dates to the local pub and hidden themselves away at a quiet corner table.
“That said, their security team is usually on a table nearby, which probably kills the romance a bit.”
The lovenest is a short hike from celeb private members’ club, hotel and spa Soho Farmhouse.
And their pals David and Victoria Beckham’s new mansion is just a couple of miles away.
Meghan is a huge Soho Farmhouse fan.
It is a favourite with stars such as George and Amal Clooney and models Kate Moss and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.
The venue takes guests to £350-a-night log cabins in golf buggies.
It offers posh Hunter wellies on arrival and delivers room service from an old-fashioned milkcart.
Meghan had her hen do there in March — organised by pal Markus Anderson, a consultant for Soho House private members’ clubs.
In London, where Meghan and Harry have a Kensington Palace residence, she does the bulk of her shopping online.
But her favourite designer outlets, such as Net-A-Porter and Burberry, struggle to deliver to the Cotswolds hills.
That has seen her trek to nearby stores herself.
One local said: “During weekdays the village is like a ghost town as many people are at their city residences for work.
“So Meghan does her weekly food shopping when it’s a bit quieter — either at a newly opened Waitrose or a really posh Daylesford organic farm shop.
“A couple of times, probably to avoid attracting attention to herself, a private secretary or protection officer has picked up the groceries for them instead.
“Meghan always looks smiley and friendly and is always stunning, even without a scrap of make-up.”
While maintaining a relatively low profile there, the ex-Suits actress has been keeping up her strict diet and exercise regime.
She practises yoga at the countryside pad and jogs in its grounds.
And while in London, she visits South Kensington’s £8,000-a-year KX gym.
She also belongs to the Skinny Bitch Collective, an exclusive invite-only exercise class popular with supermodels and top stars.
Meghan was introduced by pal Millie Mackintosh.
She does hour-long sessions there, described as “high-intensity animalistic movements to throw you out of your comfort zone”.
In the run-up to her wedding, Meghan stepped up her beauty regime.
She favours a natural look and has regular facials to keep her skin fresh and dewy.
Meghan is also a frequent visitor to Sarah Chapman’s Skinesis clinic in Chelsea, West London.
She has high-tech 80-minute sessions there involving LED light therapy, skin-mapping sensors and laser resurfacing.
The combination of treatments is said to reduce pigmentation and plump up skin, helping Meghan achieve her famed year-round glow.
In addition, beautician Nichola Joss performs £250 “sculpting inner facials” on her in Covent Garden, central London.
The salon’s website explains it as a “massage from inside the mouth to de-stress muscle tissue and improve tone and firmness of facial muscles to add youth and vitality”.
Meghan, a size 8, sticks mainly to a vegetarian or “plant-based” diet.
When in the capital she loves to stock up on supplies from posh US store Whole Foods Market.
She also adores flowers and has been seen picking up her favourite peonies and lilies from Kensington Flower Corner stall, a stone’s throw from the Palace.
A friend added: “Meghan already feels so at home in the UK. She loves it and the people.
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“She’s actually quite a homebody, despite her showbiz background.
“She enjoys nipping to a local shop or market stall and returning with fresh supplies and a surprise or chocolate treat for Harry.”
Life really is sweet for Britain’s favourite newlyweds.
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