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Meghan Markle might live in a sprawling Montecito mansion that looks like it came straight out of a lifestyle magazine, but when it came time to shoot her Netflix cooking and hosting show With Love, Meghan, she didn’t use her own home. Instead, she opted for a more low-key (but still gorgeous) $8 million farmhouse just down the road. And no, it wasn’t because her house wasn’t camera-ready. It was all about protecting her peace and her kids’ nap schedule.
Speaking at the TIME100 Summit in New York City, Meghan opened up about her decision and honestly? It’s super relatable. With a production crew of about 80 people swarming in and out for filming, Meghan realized that having that kind of chaos in her house would totally throw off the peaceful environment she wants for her children, Archie and Lilibet. She didn’t want loud equipment, constant foot traffic, and production stress messing with their routines and especially not nap time.
For Meghan, keeping work and family life in separate lanes is part of her self-care. She spoke about how important it is to set boundaries, even when the world expects you to blend everything together for the sake of convenience or a picture-perfect shot. She wanted to be present as a mom and a professional, but not at the expense of her kids’ comfort.
Luckily, the farmhouse owned by Montecito philanthropists Tom and Sherrie Cipolla was nearby, so she didn’t have to choose between being on set and being close to home. It gave her the best of both worlds: a beautiful filming location and a calm, quiet house for the little ones. Now that’s what we call a mom win.
The show itself, With Love, Meghan, featured celebrity guests and gave viewers a peek into Meghan’s life and hosting style. It’s part of the multi-million dollar deal she and Prince Harry signed with Netflix. Although the show didn’t hit the same high viewership numbers as their earlier project Harry & Meghan, it still did well enough for Netflix to greenlight a second season, so clearly, they’re not worried.
And in case you’re wondering, this isn’t the first time the Sussexes skipped filming in their own home. Even their much-hyped docuseries Harry & Meghan was filmed at another luxurious estate in Montecito, reportedly worth $30 million. Sure, they showed glimpses of their real home, like their garden and that cute “Archie’s Chick Inn” chicken coop, but the interviews and more formal scenes were shot elsewhere.
At the end of the day, Meghan’s decision shows how even in a world of mega-deals, production crews, and constant scrutiny, she’s still trying to do what’s best for her kids. She’s learning how to say no, protect her peace, and remind the world that being relatable doesn’t mean being perfect, it just means having your priorities in order.
So if you ever wondered why she didn’t film in her luxury mansion, the answer is simple: she chose her children’s calm over cameras. And honestly? That’s a flex.