Meghan Markle is inviting viewers into her world with the upcoming Netflix cooking and lifestyle series "With Love, Meghan," but the "home" she's showcasing isn't her own.
Instead of filming at her $14.6 million mansion in Montecito, California, the 43-year-old actress opted for an $8 million farmhouse two miles away. According to the Daily Mail, the farmhouse belongs to philanthropists Tom and Sherrie Cipolla.
The choice of location has sparked criticism, with some calling it another imprudent move by the former working royal.
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Although the series aims to offer viewers a relaxed "at home with Meghan" feel, the upscale cookware and luxurious décor create an impression far from ordinary.
The Netflix series is part of the couple's reported $100 million partnership with the streaming platform.
An insider told the New York Post that Markle initially pursued a farmhouse vibe to evoke an everyday rustic feel rather than showcasing her lavish Montecito estate.
However, the result has been quite the reverse.
The 4,500-square-foot Cipolla farmhouse, set on five acres of scenic avocado and lemon groves, has a sleek open-concept design, four bedrooms and four ½ bathrooms.
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According to Realtor.com, the Cipollas purchased the home for $4.7 million in 2017, though it's currently valued at $8 million.
The kitchen is the home’s focal point, where Markle demonstrates her culinary and hosting talents. A $19,000 Thermador range takes center stage, complemented by $750 copper pans and $80 chopping boards. The high-end Caesartone countertops are worth thousands and black walnut cutting boards, priced at $75 each, add a refined touch to the cabinetry.
In one scene, Markle plates caprese appetizers resembling ladybugs on $40 handcrafted plates from Los Angeles-based Earth and Element. Meanwhile, a $345 salad bowl from the Parisian brand Astier de Villatte adds elegance to the kitchen island.
It's not the first time Markle has been associated with borrowed luxury.
In their 2022 Netflix docuseries "Harry & Meghan," the couple conducted interviews in a nearby $30 million estate rather than showcasing their own expansive Montecito home, which has nine bedrooms, 16 bathrooms and vast gardens.
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The "With Love, Meghan" trailer, released in December, offers fans a glimpse into her world of cooking, event planning and gardening. However, her portrayal of "everyday beauty" appears far removed from the realities of ordinary life.
"I've always loved taking something pretty ordinary and elevating it," Markle says in the trailer, while preparing British-inspired desserts like Victoria sponge and Eton Mess in the Cipolla kitchen.
The show features celebrity appearances from Mindy Kaling, Abigail Spencer and Prince Harry, as well as segments on flower arranging, cocktail mixing and honey harvesting from local beehives.
But the lavish details, such as the $500 Vitamix blender and $225 Le Creuset cookware sets, have raised questions about how relatable the series will be.
The choice to film at the Cipolla estate has intensified criticism surrounding Harry and Meghan's "relatability problem."
The couple's Montecito mansion, acquired in 2020, boasts manicured gardens, stunning views and ample space for multiple filming setups. Even so, Markle and Harry have chosen to keep much of their private life out of the public eye.
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