AFTER DEPARTING departing their British residence Frogmore Cottage in 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made home in Montecito.
The couple snapped up a 16-bedroom estate in the exclusive California suburb for AU$21 million two years ago, and now the Duchess is opening up about the impact their new family abode has had on her life.
The outside of Meghan and Harry’s Montecito mansion
In a recent cover story with The Cut, Meghan got candid about how the sprawling residence is “calm and healing,” and ultimately, makes her “feel free”.
“We did everything we could to get this house,” she told the publication. “Because you walk in and go … Joy. And exhale. And calm. It’s healing. You feel free.”
The pool area boasts stunning views of the surrounding greenery
How the outdoor terrace appeared when Harry and Meghan purchased the home
The front of Meghan and Harry’s Montecito mansion
Meghan revealed that she and Prince Harry had actually avoided previewing the interior of the home — only touring the outside — as, having just left the Royal Family, they were without jobs and being able to afford it felt unlikely.
The property’s outdoor features include a large pool, a tennis court, a chicken coop and rose gardens, as well as a roomy terrace with a wood-fired stove and barbecue.
Ultimately, the couple fell in love with the property and purchased it soon after. Since, they have made it their family home, moving in with their two children Archie and Lilibet.
How the living space appeared at the time of purchase in 2020
The original layout of the master bedroom
A children’s bedroom in the home prior to the couple’s purchase
The mansion has plenty of space for the children to grow, with a library, office — which Meghan revealed in the interview that she and her husband share — sauna, gym, games room and arcade, a wine cellar and a five-car garage.
When the couple purchased the property, the bedrooms and main living spaces were adorned with classic wooden beams and featured large windows to allow the Californian sun to flow through the space.
However, Meghan told the publication she and Harry have undertaken renovations on the house and it is unclear how much of the home’s original features have been retained.
The wine cellar
In addition to the main building, the property features a tea house and a two-bedroom guest house.
The exclusive Californian suburb also counts Oprah Winfrey, Gwyneth Paltrow and Ellen DeGeneres as residents, and the abode is reportedly the first house Meghan and Harry have ever owned.