Meghan Markle and Prince Harry to welcome new neighbors to their Montecito mansion

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry could have company at their stunning Montecito property any day now

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry to welcome new neighbors
(Image credit: Phil Noble - Pool/Getty Images)

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are expected to welcome new neighbors at their Montecito mansion, after the house next door was snapped up by a fellow mega-wealthy buyer. 


The Duke and Duchess of Sussex can expect to have some company at their California home any day now, as new neighbors prepare to move into the property next door. 

While it's no secret that royals typically live in gated complexes, there's no rule to say commoners can't reside nearby. 

It was even revealed that Prince William and Kate Middleton were to welcome new neighbors at Kensington Palace earlier this year after the Ivy Cottage was vacated by Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank. 

But while the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will only have to put up with fellow royals living on their turf (the Queen's residences can't be purchased by the public), their American counterparts can no longer indulge in that privilege. 

FRASER ISLAND, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 22: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex walking along Kingfisher bay walk about on October 22, 2018 in Fraser Island, Australia. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

(Image credit: Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

The property next door to Harry and Meghan's $14 million Santa Barbara mansion has recently been made available to new residents, meaning the couple should be seeing some fresh faces around their block any day now. Billionaire Peter Sperling sold his seven-bedroom, 13 bathroom house for a whopping £19 million in April, after four years of desperately trying to shift it from the market. 

While the homeowner's identity remains unconfirmed, the mansion was bought by a trust whose trustee is Robert E. Gibson. The financial analyst and lawyer could be the one to move into the property, or he could simply be a trustee for the anonymous owner. 

Meghan and Harry's stunning Chateau of Riven Rock has been an oasis of privacy for the royal couple since their high-profile move to the US last year, providing the perfect haven to raise their young family away from the media spotlight. 

This aerial view shows the general neighborhood of the new hometown of the Duke and Dutchess of Sussex Harry and Meghan, who recently purchased the Chateau of Riven Rock in the Montecito neighborhood of Santa Barbara, California, on March 5, 2021

Montecito, Harry and Meghan's affluent neighborhood in Southern California 

(Image credit: Getty)

The nine-bedroom, sixteen-bathroom house sits on a sprawling 7acres of land and boasts all the must-have amenities of a classic Hollywood pad, including a spa, office, library, arcade, theatre, and wine cellar. 

The luxurious vibe extends to its manicured outside grounds, which have been fitted with a swimming pool, a tennis court, a children’s playhouse, and a two-bedroom guesthouse. The Duke and Duchess reportedly bought the plush property in July 2020, after crashing at their friend Tyler Perry's home for their first few months in California. 

Emma Dooney
Lifestyle News Writer

Hailing from the lovely city of Dublin, Emma mainly covers the Royal Family and the entertainment world, as well as the occasional health and wellness feature. Always up for a good conversation, she has a passion for interviewing everyone from A-list celebrities to the local GP - or just about anyone who will chat to her, really.

Emma holds an MA in International Journalism from City, University of London, and a BA in English Literature from Trinity College Dublin.