Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Montecito mansion is at risk of being cut off following a state of emergency declaration in California. Southern California Edison (SCE), the power supplier, has announced potential Public Safety Power Shutoffs in both Montecito and Santa Barbara areas as they grapple with the ongoing crisis, according to edhat.
An SCE spokesperson confirmed that “affected customers” in several communities, including Montecito where the ex-royal couple’s residence is located, are being contacted. This area has been identified as a “High Fire Risk Area”.
The Duke, 40, and Duchess, 43, relocated to Montecito after stepping back from royal duties in 2020. Throughout 2024, there were rumours that the couple might leave the US, with reports suggesting they had purchased property in Portugal and speculation about Harry’s desire to return to the UK.
Despite extensive expert commentary, the couple have dismissed the idea of a permanent return to the UK, with Harry citing Meghan’s safety as a primary concern.
In an ITV documentary ‘Tabloids On Trial’ aired last year, he expressed his reluctance to bring Meghan back due to “genuine concerns”.
He elaborated: “All it takes is for one lone actor who reads this stuff to act on what they’ve read. And whether it’s a knife or acid, these are things that are genuine concerns for me. It’s one of the reasons why I won’t bring my wife back to this country,” reports Aberdeen Live.
Wildfires are sweeping through California
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Despite this, Harry has made several trips to the UK in the past year and is planning another visit early this year as part of his ongoing legal battle against The Sun’s publishers.
Speaking to the same publication, Royal commentator Sarah Hewson suggested that Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has no intention of returning to the UK due to her strained relations with the Royal Family.
She stated: “All the signs around Meghan are that she really doesn’t have any desire to set foot in this country again… I’m not sure Meghan is particularly someone who wants to go off stalking and shooting.”
Meanwhile, questions arise about whether Harry, Meghan, and their children, five year old Archie-Harrison and three year old Princess Lillibet Diana, will need to evacuate if their mansion is threatened by wildfires, which experts say haven’t peaked yet.
Fire ecologist Chad Hanson told the BBC: “The most extreme fire weather is projected to occur between 02:00 – 06:00 Pacific time. So, we are not even in the worst of it yet. It’s going to be quite a rough night… It is a double whammy as we have already had dry conditions because of a lack of rain – then the winds dry things out further.”