Skip to main content

In a shocking move that no one saw coming amid the chaos of the coronavirus pandemic, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry have left their $14 million rental home on Vancouver Island in Canada for a permanent residence in Los Angeles, California.

Though there had been whispers that the Sussexes were considering a move to LA in the weeks following their Megxit announcement, most royal experts assumed that they would be spending some time in Hollywood for the summer, returning to Canada and the U.K. in the following months.

However, it appears that the Sussexes’ move to LA has been in the works for many months. They were forced to speed up their plans, leaving Canada just before the border between the country and the United States closed in mid-March. Though the Sussexes are hoping for a peaceful life, the paparazzi will certainly be an issue for them in LA.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s move to Los Angeles is based on their career goals

With her voiceover role as the narrator for Disneynature’s Elephant airing on Disney+, there are also claims that the duchess may be looking to relaunch her lifestyle brand, The Tig, and work on a new cookbook. Since the Sussexes are looking to become financially independent, they must strike while they are hot.

“They have started to look at homes online and are in the process of interviewing security teams,” a source close to the Sussexes told E! News in January 2020. “They are getting their ducks in a row and seeing if it’s logistically possible. They’ve reached out to people in L.A. and would like to assemble a team of locals. Meghan would like to be able to do meetings at the house and also be able to host friends and entertain. Those are two things that are important to her.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are living in a compound near Hollywood

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Sussexes packed themselves and their son, Archie Harrison and flew by private jet to LA.

“Harry and Meghan have left Canada now for good,” an alleged source told The Sun. “The borders were closing and flights were stopping. They had to get out. But this move was planned for some time. They realized Canada would not work out for various reasons and they want to be based in the Los Angeles area. They have a big support network there. It’s where their new team of Hollywood agents and PRs and business managers are based. Meghan has lots of friends there and, of course, her mum Doria.”

Currently, they are self-quarantining and practicing social distancing so they have not been out and about since they arrived in California.

The Sussexes are going to have huge issues with the paparazzi in LA

The duke and duchess got a taste of civilian life on Vancouver Island. However, LA will be a whole new ballgame, especially when it comes to the paparazzi.

“They will get photographed and there will be a different photographer working on him,” a British photographer told Yahoo U.K. “There are a lot photographers in LA daily, up to 100.  In London, there is only a handful each day. In the UK, we are not allowed to follow them, doorstep them, we work off our leads, our information. We work out where they could be based on their engagements. LA paparazzi don’t play by the rules, they will follow them, they are considered fair game. Meghan is an actress, they are in a weird limbo, they have protection and they are trying to make money. They are going to get photographed a lot more and there is not much they can do.”

Hopefully, the Sussexes are prepared for what’s to come.

Best in Entertainment