Break-ins reported just minutes from the Sussexes’ mansion
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s quiet Montecito neighbourhood has been unsettled after a string of burglaries close to their home.
According to the Montecito Journal, one break-in occurred on Butterfly Lane last month, only a seven-minute drive from the Sussexes’ Rockbridge Road estate. The incident happened in the early hours of July 19, when homeowners returned to find their property “broken into and ransacked.” Just two days later, another burglary was reported at a nearby cannabis farm.
The area, known for its exclusivity, is home to many celebrities including Ariana Grande, Orlando Bloom, and Oprah Winfrey, who lives next door to Harry and Meghan. More recently, Kendall Jenner was also reported to have moved into the neighbourhood.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex relocated to their 16-bedroom mansion in 2020 after stepping back from royal duties. It is where they continue to raise their children and where their daughter was born in 2021.
Meghan has previously spoken about the significance of the property, describing it as a place of calm and healing. In a 2022 interview with The Cut, she recalled how determined they were to make it their home, saying: “We did everything we could to get this house.”