Harry & Meghan's Montecito Mansion Is Staying Empty — For Now

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may have traded California sunshine for the rolling English countryside, but their beloved Montecito mansion isn't going anywhere just yet. According to a well-placed insider, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are holding onto their sprawling California property — at least for the foreseeable future.

The Montecito Estate Stays Off the Market

Despite weeks of swirling speculation that the couple might list or lease their prized home following their UK relocation, a source told Page Six that no such plans are currently in motion. "No one is moving in," the insider confirmed, adding that a maintenance team remains on-site to keep the property in pristine condition.

And honestly? It's easy to see why Harry and Meghan wouldn't rush to let it go. The gated, 18,000-square-foot estate — which the couple purchased in 2020 for $14.5 million — is nothing short of breathtaking. Think nine bedrooms, 16 bathrooms, a full tennis court, a dreamy rose garden, a tea house, a children's cottage, a swimming pool, and even a separate two-bedroom guest house. Privacy and luxury wrapped up in one stunning package.

Why the UK Move Happened

The Sussex family — including seven-year-old Prince Archie and five-year-old Princess Lilibet — has been based in the UK since late August. A source previously indicated that the primary motivation behind uprooting the entire family was Harry's desire to be closer to King Charles III as the monarch continues to navigate his health challenges. For Harry, who has spoken at length about the complicated layers of his royal journey (read more about that here), prioritizing family — in all its forms — seems to remain at the core of his decisions.

If you've been following the couple's potential UK return, this latest development tracks with the idea that their ties to Britain are growing stronger again, even if California still holds a permanent place in their hearts.

A Few Bumps Along the Way

Settling into a new country hasn't been entirely seamless. The couple ran into an early snag when they pulled Archie and Lilibet from their first UK school just two days into the term — security logistics with their protection team made the commute unworkable. To make matters more stressful, Meghan's personal phone number was accidentally shared in a parent WhatsApp group chat. Not exactly the low-key fresh start they were hoping for.

Still, things appear to be finding their footing. Harry stepped out for a heartfelt Invictus Games charity event on September 25th, where he beamed about the children settling into their new school and shared that it had been "great to be back on British soil." For a man who has proudly worn the hat of full-time dad in recent years, seeing his kids thrive clearly means everything.

Meanwhile, Meghan has been carving out her own sense of normalcy in Oxfordshire, regularly attending Pilates classes and easing into the rhythms of English life.

The Financial Reality Looming Ahead

Of course, keeping a $14.5 million mansion staffed and maintained while living abroad doesn't come cheap. Earlier reports flagged that the couple faces roughly $600,000 annually in mortgage payments and taxes on the property — a figure that may eventually tip the scales toward a sale or rental arrangement. For now, though, it seems Harry and Meghan are content to keep their California sanctuary in reserve, a sun-drenched retreat to return to whenever life calls them back west.

Whether that changes in the months ahead remains to be seen — but for two people who have consistently charted their own course, don't expect any hasty decisions.