Where do Prince Harry and Meghan Markle live? Inside their Montecito mansion where they are raising Archie and Lilibet

Located in the celebrity-favoured Southern California enclave, the Sussexes’ Mediterranean-style home comes with a 7.4-acre estate designed to be both stately and family-friendly

Photo: Santa Barbara’s Luxury Homes

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Montecito mansion has been making headlines recently – not just for its role as an A-list refuge during the LA wildfires, but also for the excitement surrounding Meghan’s recently released Netflix series – a cookery show styled as an “at-home with Meghan” concept (ironically, not filmed at her own home). True to her commitment to privacy, the Duchess of Sussex instead selected an $8 million farmhouse just a short drive away.

Photo: Santa Barbara’s Luxury Homes
It emphasises a continued commitment to preserving the tranquillity the couple have sought since leaving their royal residence, Frogmore Cottage, in 2020. For Meghan, Harry, and their two children – Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3 – their home has become much more than just a house; it is representative of a new life, far removed from the constraints of former royal duties. As such, it’s only on rare occasions that we’ve been able to peek into the private world of one of the most famous couples in the world.

Photo: Netflix
In a heartfelt statement released earlier this year, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle urged their followers to support those affected by the raging wildfires in California, offering practical ways to help, including opening homes to displaced victims, donating essential supplies, and checking on vulnerable neighbours. Leading by example, the couple opened the doors of their Montecito mansion to friends and loved ones who were forced to flee the devastating blazes.

With over 130,000 people displaced, the wildfires have caused significant damage across the state, and although the flames have not yet reached Montecito, the area remains a high fire-risk zone, with warnings of potential power shut-offs.

Inside Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Montecito Mansion

Photo: America’s Got Talent

Located in the celebrity-favoured Southern California enclave, the property includes a sprawling 7.4-acre estate designed to be both luxurious and family-friendly. The nearly 19,000-square-foot Mediterranean-style home boasts nine bedrooms, 16 bathrooms, and an array of thoughtfully designed spaces that blend comfort and sophistication.

Given Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s emphasis on privacy, rare glimpses into the mansion have emerged only through select virtual appearances and shared photos. During Zoom interviews, the couple’s bright and airy office was revealed, featuring a $1,699 hand-crafted pine wood table from Pottery Barn functioning as a desk, ivory chairs, a $1,800 Hermès cashmere blanket, fresh flowers, and carefully curated coffee table books. A more recent Instagram post offered a look at the traditional kitchen, with its classic wooden cabinets, stone features, and charming blue tiles – a design that appears largely unchanged since the couple purchased the property in 2020.

The main residence is adorned with wooden accents and earth-toned décor. The expansive living room, glimpsed during a digital appearance on America’s Got Talent, highlights Meghan’s minimalist take on cottage-core style: a cream sofa, neutral walls, striped scatter cushions, and a stone fireplace surrounded by wrap-around bookshelves. Their country-style master suite features a wooden-beamed ceiling, an ensuite bathroom, and access to a private balcony with an ivy-clad pergola. For their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, the home offers ample space to play and grow. A mirror selfie shared by Meghan showed Lilibet’s charming nursery with wood-beamed ceilings, soft carpeting, an oval crib, and whimsical nature details painted on the walls.

Photo: Santa Barbara’s Luxury Homes (image from the property’s pre-royal era)

Photo: Santa Barbara’s Luxury Homes

From the library and gym to the home theatre and arcade, every inch of the mansion is thoughtfully designed to meet the couple’s needs for relaxation, family life, and entertaining. Yet, despite its grandeur, the home retains a sense of serenity, offering the Duke and Duchess of Sussex a sanctuary that feels far removed from their previous life in the public eye.

Photo: Santa Barbara’s Luxury Homes
What is the style of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Montecito home?
Known as The Chateau, the Sussex’s Montecito mansion fuses Tuscan-inspired architecture, starting at the entrance where a wide lane paved in hand-cut Santa Barbara Stone leads to a house carved from the same stone. Inside, a sophisticated mix of midcentury modern touches and Victorian elements with elegant furnishings and decor that celebrate its old-world charm.

The estate’s exterior is equally impressive, with tiered rose gardens, towering Italian cypress trees, lavender, and century-old olive trees forming the lush greenery. The house itself is blanketed in climbing ivy, giving it an organic, natural beauty that complements the surrounding gardens and reinforces the sense of tranquillity that defines the estate.

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How much does Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Montecito house cost?
The home was purchased by the couple in 2020 for $14.65 million – a relative bargain compared to its current estimated value. According to Zillow, the property has nearly doubled in worth, with its value now exceeding $29 million. Even with the glimpses on social media, it’s unclear if the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have made any significant renovations to the home.

Photo: Santa Barbara’s Luxury Homes
The increase in value is likely due to both the rise in Montecito property prices and the home’s location in this coveted area, which has become increasingly desirable since the property was built in 2003. Originally owned by Russian businessman Sergey Grishin, who purchased the estate for $25.3 million in 2009, the mansion sits in a picturesque, private enclave around 150 kilometres outside Los Angeles, which has a growing reputation as a haven for privacy-minded celebrities.

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Who are Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s famous neighbours in Montecito?
Known for its temperate climate, health-conscious lifestyle, and stunning surroundings, it’s no wonder why Montecito is such a sought-after destination for the rich and famous. The Sussexes are among a star-studded group of residents including Oprah Winfrey, a long-time friend of the couple and one of the area’s most famous locals. Other well-known neighbours include talk show host Ellen DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi, who have a luxurious property nearby.

Montecito has also attracted other high-profile residents, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Ariana Grande, Tom Cruise, and even Kim Kardashian. The allure lies not just in its beauty but in its reputation for providing the utmost privacy, surrounded by nature and far from the pressures of city life.

Photo: Santa Barbara’s Luxury Homes