In just a few hours, Meghan Markle’s new Netflix show, With Love, Meghan, will officially premiere. But when viewers turn in, they won’t be getting a peek into the Duchess of Sussex’s actual Montecito, California, home. Instead, the picturesque estate on the show is a nearby rental, chosen to mimic the famous residence.
Meghan chose not to let cameras into her house because of her children, Archie and Lilibet. She told People, “I wanted to protect that safe haven. We’re a close-knit family, and I love those moments—putting Lili down for a nap, having lunch together, having sacred time together at the end of the day. Our kitchen is where Mama just cooks for the family, and with a crew of 80-plus people, that’s a lot of people to have in your house!”
Her kids did visit set though. “Archie did the [filming clapboard]! Sweet moments,” Meghan recalled. “They would also come with my husband and visit me on-set, and I loved that my children were able to watch me working and see the balance of that and understand what Mama does and is working to create and share. It was really special because up until then, they hadn’t seen me at work.”
She added, “I hope that when they get old enough, they feel really proud that they were part of the beginning of this with me.”
The duchess revealed that the Montecito community has protected her family’s privacy. “Once you know us, I think you want us to have the same normalcy as parents and for our children as they do, despite however unique our situation is,” she said.
With Love, Meghan begins streaming on Netflix on March 4.
