See Inside Meghan Markle & Prince Harry's Home in California
After moving into their new home in July 2020, Meghan and Harry have given glimpses of the stunning decor of their Santa Barbara property. Here's everything you need to know about Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's home in Montecito.
The Sussexes bought their home without royal family help.
In August 2020, a source told Us Weekly that, while they could've asked Prince Charles for financial help, Meghan and Harry decided to purchase their new home independently. Per Us Weekly's source, "Harry could’ve asked [Prince] Charles to contribute toward the cost of the house, but he chose not to ... Getting his dad financially involved would result in the royals having control over him. It would mean going backwards."
Per Variety, Meghan and Harry's new home cost $14.65 million, and "the buyers secured a $9.5 million mortgage to acquire the 7.4-acre compound, which is securely tucked away on a private, gated street."
They chose Santa Barbara for its privacy.
In August 2020, a spokesperson for the Sussexes told People, "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex moved into their family home in July of this year. ... They have settled into the quiet privacy of their community since their arrival and hope that this will be respected for their neighbors, as well as for them as a family."
Their home in Montecito is approximately 100 miles away from Los Angeles. In fact, the locale is incredibly popular with celebrity clientele, for its chilled atmosphere, safety, and privacy. As reported by Hello! magazine, Meghan and Harry's famous neighbors include Oprah Winfrey, Tom Cruise, and Ellen DeGeneres, while Variety listed Ariana Grande and Gwyneth Paltrow as nearby residents. Hello! also noted, "The neighborhood is renowned for its secluded hillside estates that promise the utmost privacy ... Harry and Meghan's property is situated on a private road with a lengthy driveway and large security gates."
The couple's decor has been revealed in video calls and photos.
Much like the rest of the world, Meghan and Harry have found themselves spending more time at home than ever during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, the couple have revealed their home decor to the world via video calls. Here's what we've learned about the Sussexes' home so far.
August 2020: Commonwealth Youth Trust
Soon after moving into their new home, Meghan and Harry gave a small glimpse inside the property, which revealed some beautiful windows and well-placed foliage.
August 2020: Invictus Games Foundation
During a video call for the Invictus Games Foundation, Prince Harry sat in front of a white cabinet, and paint swatches were visible on the wall behind him.
August 2020: Meghan's discussion with Gloria Steinem for MAKERS Women
Duchess Meghan met with Gloria Steinem to talk about voting and feminism soon after moving into the new property. The pair spoke in the gorgeous garden of Meghan's Montecito home.
September 2020: America's Got Talent
During a solo appearance on America's Got Talent, Meghan gave fans a glimpse at a perfectly decorated room in the house. Behind the couch, fans spotted a Diptyque candle, a bouquet of hydrangeas, and a stack of coffee-table books.
September 2020: Smart Works
During a video chat with the charity Smart Works, Meghan showed another area of her Montecito home. The duchess sat in front of a gorgeous stone fireplace, which displayed a vintage print of a bear holding the state of California. The artwork is taken from the cover of the sheet music for "I Love You, California."
September 2020: TIME100
Meghan and Harry encouraged Americans to vote during a recording for TIME100. The couple filmed the broadcast in their idyllic garden.
September 2020: Trailwalkers UK
For a solo charity appearance, Prince Harry sat in a corner of the house in front of a tall leafy plant.
October 2020: The Malala Fund
During a joint video call in which the couple spoke with activist and Nobel Prize winner Malala Yousafzai, three bird nest prints were visible behind the couple's couch. The prints are from Barloga Studios.
October 2020: TIME100 Talks
Meghan and Harry sat in front of their bird nest prints from Barloga Studios for the TIME100 Talks. Behind them, viewers spotted a selection of books, some fresh foliage, a candle, and a decorative stone.
December 2020: The Mayhew
For Christmas 2020, Meghan and Harry released a unique portrait taken with their son, Prince Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. The trio were captured in front of a sweet playhouse, which was surrounded by a luscious green garden.
February 2021: England Rugby
The bird nest pictures made another appearance, but the couple's selection of books disappeared. Instead, two simple candles sat atop a console table.
February 2021: Spotify
Meghan and Harry were filmed sitting in front of a pair of patio doors in their home.
February 2021: Pregnancy announcement
On Valentine's Day, the Sussexes revealed that they're expecting their second child. They shared the news in a beautiful photograph taken in their garden. The portrait was shot remotely by Misan Harriman.
April 2023: Surprise TED Talk cameo
While making a surprise video appearance while introducing her longtime friend and photographer, Misan Harriman, for a TED Talk, Meghan seemed to give a small glimpse into a new space from her and Harry's Montecito home. The duchess sat in a room with a wide wall behind her, with half of the wall covered by tall white cabinets and the other half covered by thick white shelves. On the shelves were various picture frames and a long leafy plant that hung off the edge.
Amy Mackelden is a freelance writer, editor, and disability activist. Her bylines include Harper's BAZAAR, Nicki Swift, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, ELLE, The Independent, Bustle, Healthline, and HelloGiggles. She co-edited The Emma Press Anthology of Illness, and previously spent all of her money on Kylie Cosmetics.
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