Here's Our First Look At Meghan And Harry's New Life In LA
After officially stepping down from their royal family duties on March 31, 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are settling into their new life in Los Angeles. The couple moved from Vancouver Island, Canada with their 11-month-old son Archie to a rented compound in the City of Angels in mid-March, where they're self-isolating due to the coronavirus, per People.
But like a breath of fresh air in mid-April, the couple was spotted out and about doing what they do best: diving into the philanthropic work they promised would be the cornerstone of their "new chapter" after announcing their resignation from the royal family back in January 2020.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex first spoke out about wanting to help their community deal with the effects of COVID-19 in an Instagram message, asking others to do the same. "These are uncertain times. And now, more than ever, we need each other. We need each other for truth, for support, and to feel less alone during a time that can honestly feel quite scary," the couple shared on their Instagram page. And they're making good on their call-to-action these days now that they've landed in the U.S.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry wanted to keep their charity work private
Per The Daily Mail, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wanted to keep their Los Angeles-based charity work private, but that didn't stop paps from catching them dressed down in face masks and gloves heading to lend a hand at Project Angel Food, a non-profit that prepares and delivers meals to people with critical illnesses who are at greater risk during the coronavirus pandemic. TMZ also shared footage (below) of the pair out and about.
The couple did two deliveries for the organization: one on Easter Sunday 2020 and one on April 15, 2020, according to what Richard Ayoub, the organization's director, told People. He said they were honored to have the couple help out. He also said they were "extremely down to earth and genuinely interested" to meet everyone at the charity, and engaged with the chefs, the drivers, and the clients. One client, Dan Tyrell, barely even recognized the duke and duchess, given how normal they looked when they delivered meals to him in West Hollywood, per WEHOville.com.
"I thought that tall red-headed guy looked pretty familiar, and that girl was very pretty," Tyrell said. "Then I saw the large black SUVs with the security guards behind them. They were both nice and very down-to-earth people. They had masks on, and they were dressed down with jeans, but very nice jeans."
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are also making Zoom calls
Just like everyone else in the world who's social distancing due to coronavirus, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are keeping up with their personal and professional engagements by making Zoom calls. Prince Harry called into a call with U.K. charity WellChild in mid-April 2020 to advocate for families with seriously ill children, noting that he and Meghan have been focusing on enjoying the family time, even if it can sometimes be a rollercoaster of emotions.
"You've got to celebrate those moments where you are just on the floor rolling around in hysterics. Inevitably, half an hour later, maybe a day later, there's going to be something that you have to deal with and there's no way you can run away from it," Harry said, per The Guardian.
Wearing a white t-shirt and jeans with her hair slicked back, Meghan Zoom-ed in with the all-female staff of the Hubb Community Kitchen, per Hello, which in conjunction with The Felix Project, will be delivering 200-300 free meals a week to vulnerable families affected by the pandemic. Proving once again that she's just like us, Meghan noted on the call, part of which can be seen on Twitter, that food means everything these days. "A home-cooked meal from one neighbor to another, when they need it most, is what community is all about," she said.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are officially Angelenos
It's no surprise that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are handling social distancing so well — they certainly are doing it in a prime location. The couple is currently renting a "paparazzi-proof" compound in L.A., according to The Sun, but are searching for more permanent digs.
Their current rental is upwards of $10 million a month and includes a pool, gardens, and a gym, as well as being accessible from two entry points. The home is reportedly close to Elton John's mansion in the area, a source told the outlet. TMZ reported in mid-April that the couple was spotted looking at homes in the $14 million range in Bel-Air.
For now, though, the couple seems content out of the public eye in their rental home as they embark on the first leg of life without the royal family. Between their charity work, dodging paparazzi, and house-hunting, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle seem to be adapting well to the LA celebrity lifestyle, even if there's an occasional challenge along the way.