Harry and Meghan’s deserted £23m mansion’s future revealed after sudden UK transfer
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have left their 19-bathroom Montecito mansion empty after their sudden return to the UK, leaving experts speculating over what happens next
Harry and Meghan’s UK return has sparked speculation over the future of their Montecito mansion(Image: Google Earth)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s move back to the UK has left Montecito buzzing with speculation over what is happening to their $31million (£23.4m) mansion. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex reportedly exited their California home so abruptly that even their children’s school was left in the dark.
The family, including Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, have swapped the Sunshine State for the Cotswolds, leaving their colossal 9-bedroom, 19-bathroom estate standing quiet. According to property site Zillow, the palatial residence is currently valued at an eye-watering $31.6m.
Spanning 18,671 square feet across 7.38 acres of prime California real estate, the Mediterranean-style estate, built back in 2003, has more than doubled in value since the couple snapped it up for $14.65m (£10.9m) in 2020.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex reportedly exited their California home abruptly(Image: POOL/AFP/AFP via Getty Images)
Known as “The Chateau,” the opulent property boasts a library, gym, home theatre, arcade, tea house and a separate two-bedroom guest house.
Outside, tiered rose gardens, century-old olive trees, and climbing ivy create a sanctuary surrounded by A-list neighbours like Oprah Winfrey.
Inside, fans have caught glimpses of its rustic luxury, from Meghan’s minimalist cottage-style living room featuring a $1,800 Hermes cashmere blanket to a country-style master suite with a private balcony.
The opulent property boasts a library, gym, home theatre, arcade and tea house(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
However, despite packing up for Britain, the couple aren’t slapping a “for sale” sign on the front lawn just yet.
The consensus is that the property is being mothballed as a temporary US base while they test the waters in the UK, though real estate insiders reckon it could eventually end up on the open market.
Local interior designer Penny Bianchi, 79, revealed the sudden departure caught everyone off guard. She said: “My grandchildren go to the same school and my son is an alumnus so I get all my gossip from there.
The Mediterranean-style estate, built back in 2003, has more than doubled in value(Image: Google Maps)
“I know Archie goes to the school and that they didn’t even know they were leaving until everyone else found out. They’ve been told, ‘Don’t hold a place for him as hes not coming back any time soon.'”
Penny claimed the Sussexes had not been especially popular among some locals, adding: “The school hated their bodyguards. They would drop the children off with them. To be honest, nobody really liked them here very much. They aren’t popular.”
However, a source close to the Sussexes disputed the claims, clarifying that the school wasn’t informed earlier purely for security reasons.
Meanwhile, keeping the empty palace could cost a fortune. Annual property taxes sit at over $152,000 (£113,000), while mortgage payments, security and staffing mean the couple could be shelling out roughly $54,000 (£40,000) a month just to leave it sitting idle.
There are also the koi carp to consider, which Harry previously noted in Spare required very specific care.
A local specialist said: “If the pump which filters the water and keeps them alive goes out, then within 12 hours they will die.” A spokesperson confirmed proper arrangements have been made for the fish.
Montecito estate agent David Encell admitted he’d be “shocked” if Harry and Meghan still owned it in a year and it could raise even more than expected.
“It’s a pretty expensive home to upkeep for a part-time place,” he noted, suggesting it could fetch £30million if sold.
For now, the mansion remains empty as a multi-million pound monument to their American chapter.
