Listen up, prospective homebuyers: are you in the market for a sprawling mansion in California, complete with 16 bathrooms, a gym, spa, cinema, wine cellar, tennis court and swimming pool and currently owned by a totally down-to-earth, low-key couple? If so, you’re in luck, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are apparently looking to sell their Montecito mansion… for the bargain price of £11m.
According to reports, the couple are “not over the moon” with the palatial pad, which they’ve called home for 18 months. But sources tell us there’s more to it than that. As the world begins to finally open up again, Harry and Meghan have ambitions on a global scale and want to strengthen their connections across the US – and around the world. And that means expanding their property portfolio accordingly.
“They’re happy enough in Montecito, but it does have the drawback of being a little isolated from a socialising point of view,” says an insider close to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who stepped down as senior royals in 2020 to pursue a more “private” life across the pond. “So, they’re rectifying that by looking to purchase a small townhouse or beach pad in Beverly Hills or Malibu, and then maybe looking at different houses in Montecito. This is the year they want to broaden their horizons and mingle a whole lot more, so an apartment in Manhattan is also on the shopping list – and quite possibly Washington DC too. There’s a lot of upkeep at their current place and they think it may not be worth it if they won’t be based there full-time.”
Despite first landing in Los Angeles when they moved across the pond, Harry and Meghan chose to settle two hours away, in Montecito, Santa Barbara, as it gave them more privacy and space for their growing brood; they’re parents to Archie, two, and seven-month-old Lilibet. Last year, Harry said so much while appearing on Dax Shepard’s podcast, telling him that he felt freer than ever in Montecito. He explained, “Living here now, I can lift my head. I feel different, my shoulders have dropped. You can walk around feeling a bit more free. I take Archie out on the back of my bicycle.”
Still, we’re told that the two-hour commute into Los Angeles is proving tricky for the forever-busy couple, who have signed onto a number of enterprises
Check out: celeb splits that shocked the world
RADIO Celebrity splits that shocked the world - slider with cover pic
1 of 27Swipe through to see which celebrity splits shocked the world of showbiz
2 of 27Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth
Singer Miley Cyrus split from actor Liam Hemsworth in August 2019, despite only getting married in December 2018. Liam released a statement on Instagram, reading, ''Hi all. Just a quick note to say that Miley and I have recently separated and I wish her nothing but health and happiness going forward.'This is a private matter and I have not made, nor will I be making, any comments to any journalists or media outlets. Any reported quotes attributed to me are false. Peace and Love.'
3 of 27Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan
After meeting on the set of Step Up in 2006, Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan announced their marriage was over in April 2018. Revealing they are still great friends, the couple decided it was time to go their separate ways after almost nine years of marriage.
4 of 27Gabby Allen and Marcel Somerville
After meeting on Love Island 2017, things seemed to be going very well for Gabby Allen and former Blazin' Squad member Marcel Somerville. But in May 2018 allegations that Marcel had cheated on Gabby whilst they were on holiday together surfaced, leading Gabby to reportedly "dump" Marcel.
5 of 27Jake Quickenden and Danielle Fogarty
Dancing On Ice winner Jake Quickenden and Danielle Fogarty split in April 2018, despite being engaged. Speaking in early May, Jake appeared on Lorraine and said the couple are having time apart to focus on their busy work schedules. However, Jake did add, "There's not a bad word. I was with her on Monday, we still talk and I still love her to bits, but sometimes you've got to go away to come back."
6 of 27Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux
After two years of marriage, Friends actress Jennifer Aniston and her husband Justin Theroux announced their split in February 2018. Jen said, "We are two best friends who have decided to part ways as a couple but look forward to continuing our cherished friendship."
7 of 27Anna Faris and Chris Pratt
Hollywood actors Anna Faris and Chris Pratt announced their split in August 2017. The pair shocked the world as they always seemed so loved up at events since marrying in 2004.
8 of 27Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt
When Brangelina announced they were getting a divorce in 2016, fans were left in shock. The pair had been dating since 2004 and married in 2014. They have six children together.
9 of 27Fergie and Josh Duhamel
Fergie and Josh Duhamel's split rocked fans in September 2017. The couple said, "With absolute love and respect we decided to separate." The pair were married for eight years.
10 of 27Perrie Edwards and Zayn Malik
Former One Direction star Zayn Malik popped the question to Little Mix singer Perrie Edwards, but just a few months later Zayn dumped his fiancé by text.
11 of 27Taylor Swift and Calvin Harris
Taylor Swift and Calvin Harris seemed very loved up with each other, until they split in 2016 and ended things on very bad terms. Calvin even ended up having a Twitter rant about his ex.
12 of 27Dougie Poynter and Ellie Goulding
Hearts broke all over the world when Ellie Goulding and Dougie Poynter announced their split. After rekindling their romance for a few months, they finally called it quits in 2016. Ellie is now engaged to Caspar Jopling.
13 of 27Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes
Another massive shock in the world of celeb relationships! Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes split in 2012 after six years of marriage. The pair share their daughter Suri together.
14 of 27Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow
After 10 years of marriage, actress Gwyneth Paltrow announced her split from Coldplay frontman Chris Martin. The split became famous because the former couple bizarrely entitled it "conscious uncoupling."
15 of 27Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner split in 2010 but have since remained great friends and co-parent their children.
16 of 27Jake Roche and Jesy Nelson
Despite popping the question to Little Mix singer Jesy Nelson, Rixton frontman Jake Roche couldn't make his relationship work with Jesy, causing the pair to split in 2016.
17 of 27Lady Gaga and Taylor Kinney
Pop superstar Lady Gaga shocked her fans in 2016 when she revealed herself and her partner Taylor Kinney were 'taking a break' after a five-year relationship.
18 of 27Miranda Kerr and Orlando Bloom
They were one of Hollywood's hottest couples, so it was a major shock to fans when Miranda Kerr and Orlando Bloom announced their split in 2013. The pair had been married for just three years.
19 of 27Millie Mackintosh and Professor Green
Professor Green split with former Made In Chelsea star Millie Mackintosh in 2016, just three years after they married. Millie is now dating her ex-boyfriend Hugo Taylor.
20 of 27Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale
Singers Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale ended their marriage in 2016. The couple have three children together, Zuma, Apollo and Kingston.
21 of 27Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom
They went through a number of ups and downs but Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom's relationship ended after four years of marriage, with Khloe filling for divorce from the basketball player.
22 of 27Will Arnett and Amy Poehler
Will Arnett and Amy Poehler separated back in 2012 after nine years of marriage, but it took until 2016 for the couple's divorce to be finalised.
23 of 27Ariana Grande and Mac Miller
Ariana Grande and Mac Miller announced they had split up in May 2018. The couple had been together for two year and even recorded some duets together. They reportedly chose to end their relationship due to their busy work schedules.
24 of 27Cheryl Tweedy and Liam Payne
After a two year romance and a baby boy, Cheryl Tweedy and Liam Payne announced they'd decided to go their separate ways on Sunday 1st July 2018. Releasing a joint tweet, the statement read, "We are sad to announce that we are going our separate ways. It's been a tough decision for us to make. We still have so much love for each other as a family. Bear is our world and we ask that you respect his privacy as we navigate our way through this together."
25 of 27Alexandra 'Binky' Felstead and Josh 'JP' Patterson
Despite welcoming their daughter India into the world in 2017, Made In Chelsea stars Binky and JP announced their shock split in September 2018. The couple, who vowed to remain friends with their daughter being their number one priority, released a statement on Instagram.
26 of 27Adele and Simon Konecki
Singer Adele confirmed she'd split from her husband Simon Konecki after three years of marriage. The couple share a son together.
27 of 27Maya Jama and Stormzy
After four years of dating, rapper Stormzy and TV presenter Maya Jama split up to focus on their careers.
Meanwhile, while money is clearly no big issue for the couple, there’s no denying that they’ve had a bit of financial embarrassment this year, following news that their US-based charity Archewell, which they founded two years ago, raised less than $50k in 2020. This came as a surprise to many, especially since it cost the couple
Look! More news!
Molly-Mae Hague breaks silence amid 'tone deaf' comment controversy
The 'sensitive subject' Faye Winter will 'never' speak about
And then, of course, there’s Meghan’s recent, very modest payout from Associated Newspapers. Last week, it was revealed that the newspaper group was ordered to pay a nominal sum of £1 in damages to Meghan for printing her private information…plus an additional “confidential sum” for infringing her copyright. Still, the Sussexes' bank account will soon be at least £11m better off once they sell off that palatial Montecito property. Any takers?
Read more in the brand new issue of heat - OUT NOW.