A HOME OF OUR OWN

Harry & Meghan have found a Californian sanctuary fit for a king and queen

- NICI DE WET

THEY’VE lived in a cosy cottage in the grounds of Kensington Palace, a controversially refurbished pad in the English countryside, a mansion in Canada and an ostentatious sweep of magnificence in the heart of Hollywood.

But they’ve never really had a place that was all theirs. Either the roof over their heads was a gift from the queen or on loan from a fabulously rich friend.

Until now, that is. Harry and Meghan, are finally king and queen of their own castle after dropping an eye-watering $14,65 million (about R256m) on a sprawling suburban estate in Montecito in the Californian city of Santa Barbara. The French Provencal-style home – or the Chateau of Riven Rock as it’s rather grandly called – could accommodate several members of the royal family, should they decide to pop over the pond for their next summer hols.

It has nine bedrooms, 16 bathrooms, a cinema, library, gym, wet and dry saunas, and a teahouse, wine cellar and games room. It sits on just more than two hectares of land that includes rolling lawns, a lavender garden, a swimming pool, tennis courts, a children’s play area, a two-bedroom guesthouse and a five-car garage.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex bought the house in June and moved in July, according to the Daily Mail, yet there are conflicting reports about whether Prince Charles helped them buy the house. Some sources say he “contributed money” while others say Harry “could’ve asked his father to help but chose not to”.