Latest news with #A20.9
Herald Sun
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Herald Sun
How much work goes into maintaining Prince Harry, Meghan Markle's $20m home?
New details have emerged on how much Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are spending on maintenance for their swanky $US14.65 million ($A20.9 million) California mansion. UK Home Improvement expert Justin Nielsen, from Wolf River Electric, estimates that the nine-bedroom pad will need around 10 to 15 staff members to keep it in tip top condition, The Sun reports. He shared that this would include 'groundskeepers, horticulturists, pool technicians, and security personnel'. The garden expert added: 'Given the array of features, including a swimming pool, tennis court, koi pond, children's playhouse, and chicken coop, the annual upkeep costs could easily reach between £150,000 ($A308,000) and £250,000 ($A514,000). 'This estimate accounts for landscaping, utilities, specialised care for the koi fish, and general maintenance.' He added that staff would be required to work each month of the year, and said: 'The maintenance of this estate is not a seasonal endeavour but requires round-the-year attention.' While Meghan and Harry often keep their home life private, they have given fans a sneak peek into their digs. RELATED: Staggering fortune Harry, Meghan lost exposed 'Lonely': Insiders lift lid on Harry's sad life Prince Harry's $200m UK secret revealed Playground for Archie and Lilibet The royal couple's children, Archie and Lilibet, may not be growing up in a British palace, but their home sounds like a children's paradise. The two youngsters have an incredible adventure playground outside, as well as a playhouse, and an indoor princess playroom. The outdoor adventure area has slides, swings, a climbing frame, climbing wall, helter skelter (play equipment) and other fun obstacle courses. And we've already seen a sneak peek at their garden playhouse, when the Sussexes shared a painting of them outside for their 2020 Christmas card. The Sussex brood have five acres of land surrounding their Santa Barbara mansion, so it looks perfect for Lilibet and Archie to enjoy. Chicken mansion Meghan and Harry gave Oprah Winfrey the grand tour of their mansion and revealed they have rescue chickens from a factory farm. The couple walked the talk show host to their coop – a home to rescued chickens. In the video clip, an adorable red hen house dubbed 'Archie's Chick Inn' was also spotted. Oprah said the chickens were saved from a nearby factory farm. Koi fish pond When the Duke and Duchess of Sussex splashed out $23 million on their Montecito home in 2020, they were informed there was a one drawback with the property. The luxe residence came with some 'stressed' koi carp in the pond that needed professional care. Writing about their home in his memoir 'Spare', Harry wrote: 'We found a place. 'Priced at a steep discount. Just up the coast, outside Santa Barbara. 'Lots of room, large gardens, a climbing frame — even a pond with koi carp. 'The koi were stressed, the estate agent warned. 'So are we. We'll all get along famously. 'No, the agent explained, the koi need very particular care.' The Duke revealed he was informed that he would have to 'hire a koi guy' for the stressed fish, and he had inquired as to where to find a specialist. He continued: 'The agent wasn't sure. We laughed. First-world problems.' Vegetable patch The couple are said to grow their own vegetables in their garden, and use the ingredients for their meals. After Lilibet's birth, a friend told Closer: 'The couple has been relaxing at home since becoming proud parents of Lilibet. 'Harry is a devoted family man and has been helping out around the house. 'He picks vegetables from the garden to make fresh juices for Meghan and entertains Archie when she needs to rest up. 'He loves taking Archie to see the chickens or for a swim in the pool.' Cute seating areas When the couple weighed in on the US election when they filmed a special message to voters outside their home. The pair were filmed sitting on a bench in the middle of a neatly trimmed patch of grass. Either side of them, there were well maintained flower beds and a large tree – which would later feature in their pregnancy photo shoot – loomed behind. The couple took out a massive $14.9 million mortgage on their lavish nine bedroom, 16 bathroom estate – which they are calling their 'sanctuary'. It also boasts a theatre, arcade and guesthouse. Parts of this story first appeared in The Sun and was republished with permission. Sign up to the Herald Sun Weekly Real Estate Update. Click here to get the latest Victorian property market news delivered direct to your inbox. RELATED: Meghan, Harry savaged as 'local villains' 'Issues': One item Royals banned in bathroom Shock couple in Prince Andrew-trashed Queen's pad
News.com.au
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Real reason Meghan Markle didn't film Netflix show in $20m mansion
Meghan Markle has explained why she did not film her Netflix show in her $US14.65 million ($A20.9 million) home in Montecito, California. The Duchess of Sussex, 43, appeared at the TIME100 Summit in NYC where she touched on the controversial decision to film her lifestyle series 'With Love, Meghan' at an $US8 million ($A12.8 million) farmhouse, owned by local philanthropists Tom and Sherrie Cipolla. 'When people say, 'Why didn't you [film in] your house?' Well, I have kids coming home for their nap, and 80 people in the kitchen isn't really the childhood memory I'd want for them to have,' the mum of two said as reported by the New York Post. The 'Suits' alum shares son Archie, 5, and daughter Lilibet, 3, with husband Prince Harry. 'We were really fortunate to find something close by,' she said, adding that having boundaries in place is 'how I take care of myself.' 'With Love, Meghan' premiered last month as part of the Sussexes' $US100 million deal with Netflix. The eight-part series, which featured special guests like Abigail Spencer and Mindy Kaling, saw Markle offer up a 'how-to' guide for hosting friends at home. While Meghan's show received rave reviews in the US, critics in the UK called it 'awful,' 'pointless' and 'thirsty' following her and Harry's infamous royal exit in 2020. The duchess was unfazed by the backlash. After 'With Love, Meghan' made Netflix's 'Top 10 Shows' list within 24 hours of its debut, she wrote on Instagram, 'Thank you to all of you around the world who are tuning in!' Netflix greenlit the series for Season 2 — and already filmed the episodes. Many critics slammed the former actress for not being relatable — feedback she has since responded to. 'Don't they know my life hasn't always been like this?' she said, reminding New York Times food writer Julia Moskin in an interview that she was not always been married to a prince. The duchess explained that she has a strong desire to continue working — despite marrying into royalty in 2018. 'I need to work, and I love to work,' she said, noting that she has had jobs since she was a teenager. 'This is a way I can connect my home life and my work.' This isn't the former royal's first time opting for a rental to shoot content in. When she and Harry filmed their controversial 2022 documentary, 'Meghan & Harry,' the couple did so in a $US30 million estate not far from their own house. They did, however, show the house's sprawling garden, which boasts the family's chicken coop that is adorned with a sign that reads 'Archie's Chick Inn. Established 2021.'
News.com.au
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
How much home renovations really cost Harry, Meghan
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle lost a staggering fortune when they left England to start a new life in the US. According to Hello!, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's UK residence, Frogmore Cottage, underwent extensive renovations – costing a reported £2.4 million ($A4.29 million) – before they moved in. The renovations for the royal residence were initially funded by the Crown Estate. When they stepped down as 'senior members of the Royal Family', the couple repaid for the home's refurbishment to the Crown Estate, despite never owning property. The Sun reported the pair installed an 'eco-boiler' which supplied unlimited hot water and low-carbon heat. Prince Harry's $200m UK secret revealed Property expert Terry Fisher from We Buy Any Home explained why the Sussexes' investment was ultimately futile. 'Frogmore Cottage was never actually owned by Harry and Meghan,' he told Hello! 'It was gifted to them for use by the late Queen, but they didn't have legal ownership – which means the final say over what happens to it has always rested with the monarch.' Mr Fisher added: 'Even if someone makes improvements or invests in a royal property, that doesn't give them a lasting stake in it. It's more like an extended loan - and when that time ends, it's returned to the Crown. 'When it comes to legal rights, the rules around royal homes are very different to those in everyday property ownership.' Meghan, Harry savaged as 'local villains' Frogmore was the Sussexes' first marital home and hosted their wedding reception in May 2018. The property was also where the couple raised their son Archie for the first few months of his life. Fans were given a peek inside the cottage in Harry and Meghan's Netflix documentary, including touching bathtime scenes with Archie. The pair moved to Montecito, California in 2020 after stepping down from royal duties. They currently live in an $US14.65 million ($A20.9 million) mansion, which boasts nine bedrooms, 16 bathrooms, a pool and a tennis court.
