Once upon a time—but not so long ago—Prince Harry lived in Kensington Palace, and Meghan Markle was an actress splitting her time between Los Angeles and Toronto. Their worlds collided in 2016, thanks to a mutual friend and a now-legendary Instagram post (Dalmatian filter, if you must know). After a whirlwind of transatlantic dates, Botswana adventures, and a roast chicken proposal, soon the prince and the actress became the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, rewriting royal tradition as they went. After stepping back from official duties, launching new ventures, and growing their family, Harry and Meghan’s journey has been anything but ordinary.
But if you really want to understand the Sussexes, look at where they’ve lived. Each home—quirky, grand, or sun-soaked—marks a turning point in their story.
Nottingham Cottage
Before Montecito and million-dollar manses, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s first home together in 2017 was a far more modest affair: Nottingham Cottage, also affectionately known as “Nott Cott.” Situated within Kensington Palace’s grounds, this 17th-century red-brick charmer included all the grandeur of a royal shoebox—1,300 square feet, two bedrooms, and ultra-low ceilings. Meghan herself described it as “so small,” and Harry said that the whole cottage was “on a slight lean” in their Netflix documentary, Harry & Meghan.
Yet, what Nott Cott lacked in size, it made up for in intimacy. The checkerboard-tiled kitchen, cozy living room, and petite dining area became the backdrop for the couple’s early romance and Meghan’s transition from Toronto to royal life. It was here that they celebrated their engagement, navigated the end of Meghan’s Suits era, and planned their next chapter. But as their family grew (and perhaps their need for headroom), the Sussexes bid farewell to their first shared sanctuary, relocating just before Archie’s arrival.
Frogmore Cottage
Frogmore Cottage was a wedding gift from Queen Elizabeth II and a testament to the power of a good renovation budget. Situated on the grounds of Windsor Castle, the property was transformed from a five-unit dwelling into a five-bedroom single-family home at a reported cost of $3 million. The upgrades included a yoga studio for Meghan, a sleek kitchen, a guest wing, and a nursery in soothing neutrals for baby Archie.
The move to Frogmore marked a new era—more privacy, more space, and some Windsor prestige. The couple settled in just in time for Archie’s birth, enjoying their freshly minted family home. But royal life proved less tranquil than the Berkshire countryside, and after stepping back from their official duties, Harry and Meghan reimbursed the renovation funds and announced plans to split their time between the UK and North America. By June 2023, after being asked to vacate, Frogmore was in their rearview mirror.
Montecito Mansion
If Nott Cott was cozy and Frogmore was stately, Montecito is pure California fantasy. In July 2020, Harry and Meghan became first-time homeowners, snapping up a Mediterranean-style estate in Santa Barbara County for a reported $14.65 million. Sprawling over 7.4 acres, the mansion includes nine bedrooms, 16 bathrooms, a guesthouse, teahouse, tennis court, swimming pool, rose gardens, and even a chicken coop for those farm-to-table eggs.
Inside are classic wooden beams, sun-drenched rooms, and a palette that’s equal parts Tuscan villa and Napa vineyard. There’s a library, shared office, sauna, gym, games room, arcade, wine cellar, and a five-car garage. The kitchen has undergone a major upgrade, though the couple have kept it mostly private, as Meghan prefers to film her lifestyle series in a lookalike rental to preserve their “safe haven.”
This is the Sussexes’ forever home (at least for now): a place where royal drama is replaced by chickens, sunshine, and the sweet sound of privacy.
Julia Cancilla is the engagement editor (and resident witch) at ELLE Decor, where she manages the brand’s social media presence and covers trends, lifestyle, and culture in the design world. Julia built her background at Inked magazine, where she grew their social media audiences by two million, conducted interviews with A-list celebrities, and penned feature articles focusing on pop culture, art and lifestyle. Over her five years of digital media experience, Julia has written about numerous topics, from fashion to astrology.
