Prince Harry and Meghan's California Home Comes With One Hidden Risk — and It's Only Getting Worse
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had found their own special piece of home in Montecito, however, it is now temporarily threatened.
After their royal fallout in 2020 and subsequent struggles with security and accommodation, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle eventually found their own 'modern-day fairytale' in Montecito, California. The couple now own a sprawling mansion in the star-studded neighborhood, replete with lots of open space, a play park, and even a swimming pool. However, now weather conditions might play spoiler in their family life.
The Montecito area is reportedly prone to extreme weather conditions, including major mudslides that could lead to evacuations. According to reports, experts are worried that once summer is over and rains start pouring, the region might experience more floods. The concern mainly centers on the San Ysidro Creek, which is quite close to the Sussexes’ gated community. While the government is said to have a plan for a long-term solution, the locals are, however, worried about the upcoming autumn-winter season.
Harry and Markle’s palatial house, Chateau of Riven Rock, was built by millionaire businessman Terry Cunningham, who expressed that while he hadn’t thought about mudslides during the construction of the house, it could be a concern at present. “We sure as hell didn't think about it (the mudslides) when we were building, but certainly it's something I would be thinking about now,” he said via Hello! Although the property has proven lucrative for the Sussexes, it may currently have to weather hazardous weather conditions.
This won’t be the first time that Markle and Harry will face such a situation. In January 2023, Montecito residents were asked to leave immediately following intense flooding and mudslides. It is unclear if the family of five evacuated the area. Comedian Ellen DeGeneres had posted on social media at the time that she was asked to “shelter in place”. In 2018, horrific flash floods and mudslides ravaged Montecito. The 2023 weather escalation coincided with the five-year anniversary of the deadly catastrophe.
During an interview with The Cut, Markle said, “We did everything we could to get this house. Because you walk in and go… Joy. And exhale. And calm. It's healing. You feel free.” She further mentioned what became the mansion’s selling point for an extremely emotional reason, “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?’ (Harry) goes, 'My love, it's us.' And now every day when Archie goes by us, he says, 'Hi, Momma. Hi, Papa’.”
Harry and Markle’s love for their special home is undoubted. However, they might have to part with it for some time if weather conditions worsen in the area.
