Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Montecito Home Faces Tsunami Threats After Powerful Earthquake
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are caught in yet another disaster, but this time, it’s neither manmade nor caused by the royal family. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are facing a tsunami scare following a massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake in Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula. In response, the National Tsunami Warning Center issued an advisory for parts of the US West Coast, including California. The advisory covers Santa Barbara County, where Harry and Markle reside in their luxurious $14 million Montecito mansion, which they purchased in 2020.
The gigantic earthquake in the Kamchatka Peninsula sent waves to Japan, Hawaii, and the US West Coast. As reported by The Mirror, the tsunami warning calls for residents to steer clear of the water, stay away from beaches, and shun other bodies of water. People have been warned that the risk "may continue for several hours after the initial wave." Despite the scare, the Montecito Fire Protection District confirmed there is no current need for evacuations. Reports suggest that the first waves from the powerful earthquake reached the coasts of California and Hawaii earlier this morning. People living along the Pacific coastline in the US have been advised to move to higher ground as a precaution.
The NOAA website also issued an advisory for several locations along the California coast, including Rincon Point, which is just 15 miles southeast of Santa Barbara and approximately a 25-minute drive from Montecito. The tsunami scare isn’t the only time the Sussexes' mansion has faced a serious threat from a natural disaster. In January, Harry and Markle were at risk of evacuation due to the destructive and dangerous California wildfires. At the time, their property was located in a designated ‘High Fire Risk Area,’ with warnings that power could be 'shut off to help prevent wildfires.' Fortunately, the ravaging flames did not reach the coastal area and harm their mansion.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex purchased their luxurious Montecito estate for $14 million in 2020 after stepping down as senior royals that year. The property is now valued at $29 million, nearly double what they originally paid. According to The Blast, during the California wildfires, Harry and Markle opened their home to friends who were forced to evacuate due to the devastation. Additionally, their Archewell Foundation provided supplies to those affected, and the couple personally visited shelters housing victims of the Eaton fire, where they helped distribute food and essential items.
Markle has previously shared the exact reason she and Harry decided to seal the deal on their Montecito mansion. In an interview with The Cut, she explained that the two palm trees in the backyard were the reason behind their decision. She said, "One of the first things my husband saw when we walked around the house was those two palm trees. See how they’re connected at the bottom? He goes, 'My love, it’s us.'" She also revealed that she did 'everything' to secure the home, as it made her 'feel free' and was 'calm and healing.'