Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have found themselves in a housing predicament as their lease on their $14 million Montecito mansion has expired, leaving them without a permanent residence.
The couple was recently spotted driving to Oprah Winfrey’s lavish $100 million estate after reports surfaced that their previous rental property had been sold to a new owner who did not wish to continue leasing it to them.
The Montecito mansion, a sprawling nine-bedroom, 16-bathroom property located in an exclusive neighborhood in Santa Barbara, was initially rented by Harry and Meghan from Russian oligarch Sergey Grishin in 2020.
However, with the lease now expired, the couple is left searching for a new place to call home.
Exclusive photos captured Harry and Meghan visiting Oprah’s estate over the weekend, accompanied by actress Janina Gavankar.
Interestingly, their son Archie was nowhere to be seen during the outing, sparking speculation about the whereabouts of the couple’s children.
Some have jokingly suggested that Meghan may have forgotten to bring her dolls, attributing it to “baby brain” after giving birth to daughter Lily two years ago.
During their visit to Oprah’s mansion, Harry and Meghan reportedly spent an hour at the palatial estate before returning to their own Montecito residence.
The couple made the short journey in a convoy of cars, with Harry behind the wheel of the lead car while Meghan engaged in conversation with the occupants from the backseat.
After residing in their $14 million mansion for just three years, Harry and Meghan have expressed dissatisfaction with the property and are now exploring other housing options in the Santa Barbara area.
While they appreciate the natural surroundings of their current estate, including lush grounds and scenic views, the couple is seeking a smaller, more suitable residence that better aligns with their preferences.
Sources close to the Duke and Duchess revealed that they have begun making inquiries about alternative properties in the area and are open to private offers.
Despite the amenities of their current estate, which include a swimming pool, tennis court, spa, private movie theater, and more, Harry and Meghan are eager to find a new home that better suits their evolving needs.
The Sussexes’ housing saga began when they relocated to California amid the COVID-19 pandemic, initially staying in a luxury mansion owned by Tyler Perry before moving into the Montecito property.
Now, as they face the prospect of finding a new residence once again, Harry and Meghan are navigating the challenges of securing a suitable and comfortable home for themselves and their growing family.