It’s been over a year since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made the shocking decision to distance themselves from their royal duties, and nearly as long since they made that emotional and professional distance very physical by settling an ocean away from Buckingham Palace, in Southern California. Though the couple have kept their newly nonroyal life very private, during an exclusive interview with Oprah Winfrey that aired on March 7, they gave viewers a glimpse into their idyllic West Coast lifestyle.
While the sit-down portions of the interview took place at the home of a mutual neighbour—both the Sussexes and Winfrey are residents of Montecito, which is located in Santa Barbara County, about 100 miles north of Meghan’s hometown of Los Angeles—Harry and Meghan did briefly allow the cameras into their backyard. There, they invited Winfrey into a sizable chicken coop, adorably named “Archie’s Chick Inn” after their 22-month-old son.
“She’s always wanted chickens,” Harry told Winfrey of his wife as the trio knelt down in the coop to feed the flock of hens, which they recently rescued from a factory farm. “I just love rescuing,” Meghan added.
When asked by Winfrey what word she would use to describe their new life in California, Meghan said “Peace,” then explained that the best part is “being able to live authentically.” She continued, “It’s so basic, but it’s really fulfilling. Just getting back down to basics.”
Meghan and Harry moved into the Montecito compound in July, a spokesperson confirmed the following month. The 18,671-square-foot Mediterranean-style home sits on almost 7.5 acres of land and was listed at $14.65 million. Located on a gated street, the property comprises nine bedrooms and 16 bathrooms throughout the main house and detached guesthouse, plus a playset, teahouse, swimming pool, and tennis court dotting the lavish grounds.
Feature Image: Instagram/Oprah
This originally appeared on Architectural Digest US | Andrea Parker
