Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Montecito Home Raises New Concerns as Couple Settles Back in Britain

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may have left Montecito behind for a new life in Britain, but their California property remains a significant part of their lives. The couple reportedly continues to worry about what could happen to the home while they are thousands of miles away, with wildfires and the possibility of burglary among the concerns surrounding the empty estate.

Harry and Meghan returned to Britain with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, on August 26, 2026, after spending nearly six years living in Montecito. They continue to own the California property they purchased in 2020 and are reportedly expected to return there regularly.

The Montecito property remains important to the family

Although the Sussexes are now based in Britain, their Montecito home has not been abandoned. Staff reportedly continue to care for the property, including the couple’s chickens.

According to a report cited by Showbiz Cheat Sheet, the family’s immediate concern is the potential danger posed by wildfires and other disasters in the area. The same report said they are also concerned that the property could become a target for thieves while the family is overseas.

One source described the situation as particularly difficult because of the distance between the Sussexes and their California home. With the couple now on another continent, the source said they have less direct control over what happens if an emergency develops.

The concern comes as Harry and Meghan adjust to a major change in their family life. Their decision to return to Britain has left them maintaining a home in Montecito while establishing a new routine for Archie and Lilibet in the U.K.

The couple purchased their Montecito estate in 2020 after stepping away from their roles as senior working royals. At the time, the move to California represented a major shift for the family. They have since retained the property despite their return to Britain. People also reported that the Sussexes intended to keep the Montecito home after relocating.

Neighbor Bruce Johnston takes aim at Harry

The concerns surrounding the property come amid renewed attention on the Sussexes’ relationship with their former Montecito neighbors.

Former Beach Boys member Bruce Johnston, who reportedly lived near Harry and Meghan, recently described Harry as a “jerk.” Johnston also reportedly suggested that Harry had returned to Britain to apologize to his brother.

The remarks were discussed on the Daily Expresso podcast, where host JJ Anisiobi claimed that some neighbors were unhappy with the Sussexes and highlighted Johnston’s comments.

Commentator Mark Dolan also weighed in, saying Johnston was another prominent figure who, in his view, had formed a negative opinion of the couple.

These remarks are part of a broader stream of criticism surrounding Harry and Meghan since their move back to Britain. The original report also pointed to Piers Morgan, Noel Gallagher, Martha Stewart and Donald Trump as prominent critics of the couple.

Claims about the Sussexes’ standing in Montecito

The couple’s departure has also prompted commentary from people familiar with the Montecito community.

Interior designer Penny Bianchi told The Sun that Harry and Meghan were not particularly popular in the area. She also claimed that Archie was removed from his California school at short notice and that teachers learned about the family’s departure at the same time as others in the community.

Separate reports have similarly described the Sussexes’ move as surprisingly sudden. Page Six reported that the family left California in August after Archie secured a place at a school in Britain, with the transition reportedly happening quickly once that place became available.

Those accounts, however, reflect claims from individuals and media reports rather than an official explanation from Harry and Meghan about every detail of their departure.

The family’s focus has now shifted firmly toward Britain, particularly helping Archie and Lilibet adjust to their new surroundings.

Archie and Lilibet’s school change adds another layer of security concerns

The children’s education has already required an unexpected change.

Archie and Lilibet began the new school year in Britain after the family moved from California. Just two days into the term, however, Harry and Meghan decided to move them to another school following discussions with their security team.

The couple’s spokesperson said the decision was based on the practicalities of their security arrangements and stressed that it was not a criticism of the school or its staff. The identities of both schools have been kept private.

The BBC reported that the distance involved in the original school run and heavy traffic created difficulties for the family’s private security arrangements. Security teams had reportedly been concerned about the practicality of traveling in convoy through busy school traffic.

Sky News likewise reported that the school change followed discussions with the family’s security team. The Sussexes expressed gratitude to the teachers and staff who had cared for their children, while making clear that security considerations drove the decision.

The change has taken place as Harry and Meghan’s wider security arrangements in Britain are being reassessed. The Royal and VIP Executive Committee, known as Ravec, is conducting a review following the couple’s return to the U.K.

A new life in Britain, with the family keeping its location private

While the school issue has demanded attention, a source close to the family said Harry and Meghan are primarily focused on helping their children settle into life in Britain.

“There is a lot to do,” the source told People, explaining that the family had moved halfway around the world and was busy getting the children settled. The source added that other matters would be dealt with in time.

The family’s precise address has not been disclosed. Reports have placed them somewhere outside London, with the Cotswolds frequently mentioned as a possible location.

Their new community has also attracted criticism. Residents quoted by the Express reportedly said the Duke and Duchess of Sussex should be “banned,” while others described the couple in strongly negative terms.

Those comments remain part of a wider debate surrounding the family’s return and should not be confused with confirmed details about their private residence.

Meghan offers a glimpse of family life in the British countryside

Amid the attention surrounding the move, Meghan has also offered glimpses of the family’s new life in Britain.

A recent video showed Harry spending time outdoors with Archie and Lilibet, including fishing with the children and walking through woodland. The images provided a quieter picture of the family’s transition after six years in California.

Meghan’s recent social-media posts have also shown the children enjoying outdoor activities in Britain. People reported that the family continues to maintain its Montecito property while establishing its new routine in the U.K.

For now, the Sussexes are balancing two very different parts of their lives. Their attention is on settling Archie and Lilibet into school and their new surroundings in Britain, while staff remain responsible for the Montecito estate they still own.

That leaves the California mansion largely out of the family’s day-to-day life, but still very much part of their concerns as they navigate the practical and security challenges of living on opposite sides of the Atlantic.