Meghan and Harry’s Montecito Mystery: Renters or Owners?

Speculation surrounding Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's residence in Montecito has ignited curiosity among royal watchers.

Many fans are questioning whether the couple actually purchased their lavish Olive Garden property back in 2020 or if they are merely renting it from someone else.

According to records from Santa Barbara County, California, the property transaction took place on June 9, 2020, with Rockbridge LLC listed as the seller.

Intriguingly, this entity is linked to Sergei Grishin, a Russian billionaire known for his tumultuous divorce at the time.

Reports suggest that Grishin, often referred to by the nickname “Scarface Oligarch,” was the one behind the sale.

In 2020, his ex-girlfriend shared some unsavory details about him with the Daily Mail, adding layers to the story.

However, conflicting information continues to swirl around the property's ownership status.

Some real estate listings show the house as pending sale, while others claim it's available or even unavailable.

This inconsistency raises eyebrows and fuels the theory that the Sussexes might never have owned the home outright.

The last recorded sale of the Montecito Olive Garden dates back to 2009, leading many to believe that if Meghan and Harry were living there, they were simply tenants.

Various articles have suggested that the couple actually resided in multiple locations, including Soho House and several hotels, and even spent time at Oprah Winfrey's second property before it was sold.

This could explain why only a single room in their home has been photographed and why no one was present when Prince Philip passed away, despite attempts by the royals to inform Harry.

Adding to the intrigue, a local florist named Lynn has described the Sussexes' home as resembling Fort Knox.

Having moved from Scotland to sunny California decades ago, Lynn recounted her experience delivering flowers to the couple's residence.

She noted the heavy security presence, which made her feel as though she was being monitored closely.

“I was told to drive onto the next gate, and they were watching me on the camera the whole time,” she recalled.

Her co-worker, Marcello Ross, humorously remarked on the military-like atmosphere surrounding the property.

Lynn elaborated on her delivery experience, mentioning that the house was so far back from the entrance that she couldn't catch a glimpse of it.

The security personnel, who appeared to have a military background, heightened her sense of unease.

“It was like the military; they've got the whole thing totally secure,” she said, reflecting on the oddity of such a heavy security presence for a simple flower delivery.

Despite the seemingly excessive security measures, Lynn found the situation somewhat absurd.

“As if I was going to attack the place or blow it up or something,” she chuckled, noting how strange it felt to be treated like a potential threat while delivering flowers.

The whole experience left her pondering what it must be like to live under such tight security.

In a candid interview with The Cut, Meghan opened up about the challenges she and Harry faced while searching for a home outside the UK.

She described their initial hesitations about the Montecito mansion, especially given its staggering price tag of $14.6 million.

At the time, they were unemployed and uncertain about their financial future, which made the prospect of purchasing such an extravagant property seem daunting.

Meghan reminisced about their search for the perfect home, explaining how they kept coming across the Montecito mansion during their online searches.

Initially, they hesitated to view the property due to their financial situation.

“We didn't have jobs, so we were just not going to come and see this house.

It wasn't possible,” she admitted, reflecting on the couple's earlier struggles.

The home itself, described by journalist Alison P. Davis as reminiscent of a classic Tuscan villa combined with elements of a Napa vineyard and a Beverly Hills country club, certainly seems alluring.

Despite their initial reservations, it appears that Meghan and Harry ultimately decided to take the plunge and make this stunning residence their home, regardless of the uncertainties surrounding its ownership.