It’s hard to believe it’s been a quarter of a decade since Meghan Markle and Prince Harry shocked the world when they stepped down as senior royals in the UK to start a brand new life in sunny California.
The former royals now live in a US$14.7 million nine-bedroom mega mansion in Montecito, Santa Barbara, close to the sights and sounds of Los Angeles, with their two children: son Archie, three, and daughter Lilibet, one.
Long gone are the days of royal engagements and drama at Buckingham Palace. While their deals with Spotify and Netflix haven’t exactly gone according to plan, Meghan and Harry are still making the most of their time stateside. These days, the pair are regularly seen dining at fancy local restaurants, hiking up the hills and hanging out at the ultra-exclusive Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club.
In fact, while Markle has been slowly carving out a new lifestyle for herself in the US, locals have apparently dubbed her “The Princess of Montecito”, according to Closer.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stunned onlookers by unexpectedly showing up at a patriotic Fourth of July parade in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where they were photographed sitting on the pavement as they watch the procession of floats, cowboys and rodeo girls pass by.
Markle has been a regular at the polo grounds, where Harry plays with his team Los Padres. During one of Harry’s matches last month, she even took part in the prize ceremony after his team won the Lisle Nixon Memorial trophy.
While hanging at the polo grounds, Markle has also made a new friend – Delfina Blaquier, wife of Harry’s old friend and fellow polo player Nacho Figueras.
In a recent Instagram post, 41-year-old Blaquier gushed about her burgeoning friendship with Meghan in a somewhat cringey post.
She wrote: “M – looking forward to many more of these times with you and H. Getting to spend time together over these two months was so special. I wish everyone knew you the way you are.”
She continued: “My sister, my now fellow “pwife” (polo wife) – genius of you to come up with this. Can’t wait to see you again soon, to share thrill, hikes and just more chill time.”
“You also have my respect. Keep walking, steady and strong. Listen to your heart, that will guide you well, because you have a big one and it’s a beautiful one. I love you my darling,” she concluded.
