$30 Million Montecito Mansion Made Famous by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Languishes on the Market—Even After $3.5 Million Price Cut

A sprawling Montecito, CA, mansion that was used as the backdrop for Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's bombshell Netflix documentary doesn't appear to be benefiting from its brief moment in the spotlight.

The 13,600-square-foot Spanish-style dwelling—which sits a short distance from the Sussexes' own Montecito home—has faced a desperate battle to find a buyer during the last four years, bouncing on and off the market multiple times since it was first listed for $33.5 million in August 2021.

When it first made its appearance on the market nearly 1,500 days ago, the property was one of several high-value estates to have been listed in the tony Santa Barbara enclave, which is famous for its A-list residents, leafy green streets—and very pricey properties.

It was then taken off the market in November of that same year, before appearing again in March 2022—nine months before the premiere of Netflix's headline-making series, "Harry & Meghan."

Just days after that show debuted around the world, sparking a wave of intense media scrutiny, the home found itself thrust into the spotlight after it was identified as the location where Harry, 40, and Meghan, 44, had filmed their candid sit-down interviews for the six-part series.

Though the documentary did not reveal in-depth glimpses at the home or its many amenities—which include a gym, theater, bar, game room, pool, and guesthouse—the sensational nature of the series prompted such a tidal wave of news coverage, that it was just a matter of time before the property was swept up.

"Spoiler: That’s Not Actually Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s House," read one headline about the property, as others pointed out that, not only had the couple not used their own dwelling for the shoot, but that the location they chose was actually on the market.

"Harry and Meghan Filmed Their Netflix Doc at This $33.5 Million Montecito Manse. Now It Can Be Yours," one publication stated.

"Harry and Meghan did [their Netflix show] there, and I got bombarded by every newspaper in the world," the home's co-listing agent, Ryan Malmsten, told SF Gate. "It was supposed to be hush hush, and then the Daily Mail got wind of it, and it went ballistic."

While that publicity certainly pulled in plenty of attention to the listing, when the furor died down, the six-bedroom estate remained on the market—fading into the background as excitement about the documentary slowly fizzled out.

By May 2023, the property had been delisted, with the owners opting to keep it off the market for close to a year, before making another bid for a sale, having cut the price by $3.5 million.

Since April 2024, the sprawling mansion has sat on the market for more than 500 days, with Malmsten admitting that, while it has come close to securing a buyer, those opportunities have always fallen through at the last minute.

"We’ve come close on several occasions to selling it," he explained. "For whatever reason, that particular buyer chose something else."

The home's struggle to sell defies an otherwise-booming Montecito market—which has only been made more alluring to buyers as a result of Harry and Meghan's decision to live there, while also using it as the location for many of their projects, including the mother of two's recently-released series, "With Love, Meghan."

Again, the Duchess of Sussex opted out of using her own property as a filming location, instead selecting a nearby $9.5 million dwelling that was rented out as a film set for the series, which was described as having a "positive effect" on the Montecito area by local real estate agent Dina Landi.

Indeed, between May 2019, before the Duke and Duchess of Sussex settled into their palatial nine-bedroom, 16-bathroom home to raise their two children, and May 2025, prices in Montecito surged a staggering 75%, from $4.9 million to $8.6 million, according to Realtor.com® data.

Landi noted, however, that Montecito has plenty more to offer than its A-list allure, explaining that the unbeatable quality of life in the area is what draws people to it most, adding that the community had seen a huge influx of wealthy buyers—from other parts of California, as well as Miami, New York City, and Dallas—all of whom were seeking out a more relaxed quality of life.

So why has Meghan and Harry's Netflix house struggled to find a buyer?

According to Malmsten—who says the owners have turned down all other offers to rent out the home for filming—the property's lengthy listing is not as a result of its ties to the former royals, but is instead related largely to its enormous size.

"Buyers today are wanting way less square footage," he explained to SF Gate. "They’ll pay the same amount, but they want a smaller home. That’s a big challenge."

When compared to other Montecito properties currently listed on Realtor.com, Lilac Drive certainly stands out as far as square footage is concerned.

A home located just 3 miles from the property is currently on the market for $29.5 million—almost the exact same price—but with almost half the available square footage.

Another nearby mansion that is listed for $34.9 million has just 10,700 square feet.

Yet the property is not alone in its struggle to sell. Realtor.com records reveal that several other high-value estates in the area have been on the market for just as long—if not longer—including one expansive 13,600-square-foot abode that was first listed for $74 million in July 2021 and has yet to secure a buyer, despite its asking price being slashed to $60 million.

Meanwhile a 15,300-square-foot dwelling that was originally listed for $52 million in June 2024 has since seen its price cut to $37.5 million.

Still, Lilac Drive features a number of impressive amenities that should help it to stand out to a buyer who is searching for a home with both space and luxury—in addition to its celebrity past.

"Vast ocean views, flat grounds, luxe amenities, and incredible design coalesce at this iconic Montecito property," the listing states, before noting that, despite its impressive size, the home can serve as a cozy retreat for those seeking something more compact.

"Flexible spaces both inside and out make this an intimate home for two yet can easily accommodate crowds of over 200," the description continues. "Living off the grid has never been more chic. Solar, a generator, greywater irrigation system, private well, organic vegetable bed & citrus orchards, chicken coops, and secret gardens define sustainable sensibility and offer an unparalleled piece of paradise."