Inside Meghan Markle’s $1.7M Former Los Angeles Home: Photos & Tour

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry sent shockwaves around the world in early 2020 when they announced they were stepping back from royal duties, would split their time living abroad—spending part of it in Canada—and planned to support themselves financially.

For Meghan, returning to a more ordinary life meant reconnecting with Los Angeles, where she grew up and spent much of her early career. Between 2011 and 2013 she rented a house in central Los Angeles with then-husband Trevor Engelson.

The Colonial-style home was originally listed at $1.799 million, trimmed to $1.75 million, and ultimately sold for $1.68 million in late January 2020. While that price and scale are worlds away from the couple’s later residence at Frogmore Cottage near Windsor, the home is a comfortable, stylish option for a well-to-do Los Angeles renter.

Below is a detailed look inside the Los Angeles house Meghan lived in before meeting Prince Harry, followed by a description of the multimillion-dollar Vancouver Island estate where the couple stayed during the holidays.

The Details

The home is a four-bedroom, three-bathroom Colonial offering approximately 2,262 square feet of living space (buyers should confirm the exact measurements). Built in 1924, it’s considerably newer than Frogmore Cottage, which dates to the early 19th century.

Meghan and her then-husband rented the property rather than owning it, which made the arrangement simpler after their separation.

The Main Floor

The interior preserves the home’s classic character while incorporating modern updates. The main floor follows an almost fully open plan, with living, dining and kitchen areas flowing into one another.

The Living Room

Meghan moved into this rental in 2011 after landing her breakout role on the series Suits. Although the show was set in New York, much of it was filmed in Toronto.

Open, Bright Spaces

The house is light and airy, reflecting typical Los Angeles preferences for open, comfortable living rooms connected to dining space and kitchen.

The Dining Area

The dining area sits between the kitchen and living room, making it a natural gathering spot and keeping the main floor flowing and sociable.

Sitting Room and Windows

A cozy sitting room features large windows and what appear to be geometric exterior grilles or decorative bars. The overall effect is bright interior spaces with a hint of architectural detail outside the glass.

Breakfast Nook and Flooring

Just off the dining area is a small breakfast nook, perfect for coffee or a casual meal. Hardwood floors extend throughout much of the house, unifying the spaces and reinforcing the home’s warm, lived-in feel.

The Kitchen

The kitchen is modest in size and isn’t designed for multiple cooks at once, but it’s updated with marble countertops and a matching marble backsplash, giving it a polished, modern look despite the compact footprint.

Price and Neighborhood Context

The house sold for about $743 per square foot, which aligns with local values. It sits in Hancock Park, a historic and desirable Los Angeles neighborhood where the average sale price recently hovered around $1.1 million and the neighborhood’s average price per square foot is similar to this listing’s rate.

Upstairs: Bedrooms and Baths

The home’s bedrooms are on the second level. The upstairs corridor includes built-in shelving and cabinetry for storage, while the bedrooms themselves are well-lit and comfortable.

Guest Rooms and Jack-and-Jill Bath

Bedrooms are filled with natural light and at least one pair shares a Jack-and-Jill bathroom, a practical layout for family living or multiple occupants.

Rental History and Market Timing

Property records show the house hadn’t changed hands since 2006 when it sold for about $1.1 million. Over time it appears to have been rented out, with reported rents around $8,000 per month—consistent with upscale central-Los Angeles rentals.

Master Suite and Baths

The master bedroom includes its own private bathroom, decorated in a black-and-white palette with patterned tile flooring and a herringbone tile detail above a double vanity. Another full bath features a walk-in shower and bright finishes.

Closets, Laundry and Outdoor Space

One bedroom has a large mirrored-closet, and a laundry area and generous walk-in closet are located on the second floor. The dining area opens to a backyard patio and modest yard—the lot measures about 0.185 acres, a comfortable size for a central-L.A. property.

Hancock Park: A Posh Neighborhood

Hancock Park, developed in the 1920s, contains roughly 1,200 homes and remains one of Los Angeles’s more distinguished neighborhoods. Notable residents past and present have included actors and writers, all drawn to the area’s stately homes and central location.

Floor Plan

The listing included a clear floor plan to help prospective buyers or renters visualize room placement and flow.

Frogmore Cottage: The Royal Residence

For comparison, Frogmore Cottage—used by the couple as their U.K. residence—was extensively renovated before their move. The work reportedly cost several million dollars and remained the property of the monarchy. Statements at the time noted the couple would continue to use Frogmore Cottage with the Queen’s permission.

Heading to Canada: Mille Fleurs

During the 2019 holiday season, Meghan and Harry reportedly stayed at an extravagant waterfront estate on Vancouver Island called Mille Fleurs. The property—whose name means “Thousand Flowers”—has hosted the couple while they sought privacy from intense press attention.

The Estate and Ownership

The mansion once listed for $18.5 million and was reported to have sold for roughly $14 million. Ownership has been kept private through corporate structures, and speculation in the press about the proprietor’s identity has persisted.

Accommodation and Features

The main residence spans about 13,000 square feet, with five bedrooms—each having a private bath and terrace. A separate guest cottage adds another 2,100 square feet with three bedrooms and two baths. The estate includes luxurious spaces such as a billiards room, wine cellar, tasting room, and substantial gardens with fruit trees and varied plantings that change the views through the seasons.

Design and Materials

The property blends reclaimed and antique materials—reclaimed American elm flooring, 17th-century fireplace elements and custom features—to evoke an elegant, storied atmosphere. The conservatory and lush landscaping reinforce its reputation as a carefully curated retreat.

How the Couple Stayed There

Reports indicate Meghan and Harry were introduced to the property by producer David Foster, who arranged the stay so the couple could rest away from public attention. Whether the couple rented the house or stayed as guests is not publicly confirmed.

After the Holidays

After their stay on Vancouver Island, sources reported the couple later relocated to the Los Angeles area, living in a private compound. Details about that property were not publicly disclosed, and whether they would pursue property purchases in Canada remained uncertain.

Both the Los Angeles rental and the Canadian estate illustrate how the couple has navigated public life—alternating between city residences and secluded retreats as they balance privacy, family life and public responsibilities.