In July of 2020, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry moved into a new home located in Santa Barbara. This stunning property has been the subject of much discussion since the couple’s big move.
Above all, it’s important to note that the Sussexes bought their new home without any help from the British royal family. According to an unnamed source quoted in Us Weekly, “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.” Instead, the couple decided to take out a $9.5 million mortgage on their new property, which cost a grand total of $14.65 million.
But why did they choose Santa Barbara? According to a spokesperson for the couple quoted in 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.” This area is known for its chilled atmosphere, safety, and privacy, and is a popular spot for celebrities. Some famous neighbors who live near Meghan and Harry include Oprah Winfrey, Tom Cruise and Ellen DeGeneres.
Of course, everyone wants to know what it looks like inside their new home. Thanks to the pandemic, Meghan and Harry have been spending a lot of time at home, and have given fans glimpses of their stunning decor through video calls. In August 2020, during a video call for the Commonwealth Youth Trust, some of the home’s beautiful windows and well-placed foliage were visible. Later that month, during a call for the Invictus Games Foundation, Prince Harry sat in front of a white cabinet, with paint swatches visible on the wall behind him. In September, during a solo appearance on America’s Got Talent, Meghan gave fans a peek into the impeccably decorated room in the house, complete with a Diptyque candle, a bouquet of hydrangea and a stack of coffee table books. During a video chat with the charity Smart Works, Meghan sat in front of a gorgeous stone fireplace, which displayed a vintage print of a bear holding the state of California.
Overall, Meghan and Harry’s new home is a beautiful property located in a private, gated community. While the public may never get the chance to see the home in person, these video glimpses have given us a small taste of what life is like for the Sussexes in Santa Barbara.
