Live Like A Royal in Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Montecito Estate

While there’s no official listing, rumor has it there’s a high-profile estate for sale in the prestigious enclave of Montecito. Turns out, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are in search of new digs, an unnamed source told London’s Daily Mail. “They want to stay in the neighborhood or nearby, but they aren’t over the moon about the house or the location.”

Why the former royals are wanting to move is less clear. Word on the street is they’re wanting more privacy for their children, two-year-old Archie, and 7-month-old Lilibet Diana. After all, there’s never been a shortage of publicity surrounding Harry and Meghan.

Over 17 million viewers tuned to Oprah’s exclusive interview (the largest prime time audience for any entertainment special in 2020-2021). And since that time, the worldwide total has soared to nearly 50 million.

Realtor.com concurs privacy may be the issue: “Many surmise that the reason Meghan and Harry want to move is that their home is not quite private enough. The property itself is gated, but the community is not.”

Turns out, police were called to the 18,000-square-foot residence nine times over nine months.

“This must be terribly disconcerting for Harry, who grew up in the royal family in a very controlled environment,” says Peter Lorimer, who is originally from London and now lives in Los Angeles, where he is vice president of Corcoran Global Living, Beverly Hills.

But enough speculation.

While the sprawling estate purchased for $14,650,000 million just 18 months ago may not be the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s cup of tea, it really is pretty spectacular.

Amenities abound. In the ultra-luxe bucket, we’re talking spa with dry sauna and steam, home theater, wine cellar, and an arcade and pub games room. There’s also a pool, tennis court, teahouse, olive grove, and rose garden — not to mention two private cottages, one for adults, the other for the kiddos.

And, count ‘em, the nine-bedroom property sports a grand total of 16 bathrooms.

It’s not that Meghan and Harry want to leave Santa Barbara County. Friends are what originally attracted them to the area — think Oprah, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi, and Orlando Bloom and Katy Perry. Other neighborhood A-listers include Ariana Grande, Rob Lowe, and Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo.

“Montecito is an understated, refined, and gracious community,” says Jill Nelsen, estates agent of The Agency in Montecito and Santa Barbara. “With an ideal climate, beautiful beaches, and views of the Santa Ynez mountains, there is an unusual sophistication to this coastal town. Although some might find this small town of under 10,000 residents sleepy, it is part of the charm. Montecito has always been home to numerous celebrities, and it is second nature that their privacy is respected.”

Should the couple decide to stay in the area, a Zillow search turned up a couple of options.

If price is no option, $80 million buys 10 beyond-fabulous oceanfront acres within The Sanctuary at Loon Point — “a rare opportunity to own a secure family compound,” touts the listing.  

A custom build presents yet another option. The perfect spot? Rancho Monte Alegrea, once a gathering place for Hollywood royalty (think Robert Mitchum, John Wayne). The price tag for 2.862 acres offering privacy and exclusivity: $35 million.

Sina Omidi of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices has another suggestion. He knows of a listing inspired by a palace (albeit a French one). This is the largest and most private estate in Montecito’s elite Birnam Wood, a guard-gated community with round-the-clock security. Asking price: $29.5 million.

But back to the property at hand. Even if Meghan and Harry sell so soon after buying, Lorimer believes the couple could stand to make a substantial profit.

The home has a “particularly delicious selling point” because there are many homes in Southern California that have been owned by stars. “But only two or three that have been owned by British royalty,” he added.

Good news for prospective buyers. The Duke and Duchess are open to private offers should the perfect one come along.