Prince Harry’s mortgaged Montecito mansion incurs unexpected bill hike

Prince Harry has been handed a substantial tax bill for his Montecito mansion in California, where he resides with his family. The couple purchased the sprawling estate in 2020 for $14.5 million (£11 million), and it boasts an impressive 18,000 square feet of space.

For those unfamiliar, Harry and Meghan bought the property while staying at one of Tyler Perry’s homes in the early days after leaving Frogmore Cottage in the UK. Prior to that, the couple had spent several months in Canada after stepping back from royal duties.

The Montecito mansion spans five acres and includes 9 bedrooms, 16 bathrooms, a pool, a tennis court, expansive gardens, a chicken coop, a 5-car garage, a guesthouse, a spa, a wine cellar, a gym, a library, and a tea house.

In 2023, their property tax bill amounted to nearly $146,600 (£112,000), which they paid in two installments, according to The Sun. This was a slight increase from 2022 when they paid $144,000 (£110,000), and in 2021, they were charged $141,000 (£108,000).

While dealing with their Californian tax obligations, Prince Harry has also been reportedly working on mending relationships with his family in the UK. He has been reaching out to old friends and former palace aides in an effort to reconcile with his father, King Charles, and his brother, Prince William.

Despite these efforts, insiders reveal that Harry and Meghan have no plans to leave their life in California, although there may be discussions of a “partial return to royal life,” according to reports.