Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are renting an £8million LA mansion close to Elton John
HARRY and Meghan are renting a £8million mansion near their pals Sir Elton John and David Furnish.
The Sussexes swooped on the home in a gated community in Los Angeles while they hunt for a permanent property.
They and baby son Archie can relax in its pool and landscaped gardens, while the house also boasts a gym.
The couple are understood to have been in regular touch with Rocket Man superstar Sir Elton, 73, and husband David, 57, via video — with the city locked down until at least May 15.
A source said: “Meghan and Harry have been hunting for months but have yet to find their dream home.
“The market is dive-bombing at the moment so a permanent move seems some time away.
“So they have tried to make life as comfortable as possible in their rented house, and have found a wonderful complex away from prying eyes.
‘PAPARAZZI-PROOF’
“It is accessible through two guarded checkpoints, and prides itself on being ‘paparazzi-proof’. Most houses here are enormous and quite a few celebs live nearby, including Elton.
“If they can’t move for another few months, at least they will be happy and very comfortable here.”
Website TMZ last night claimed the Sussexes have been eyeing homes up to £14million in the suburb of Bel Air.
Sources also said the move to LA was “mostly Meghan’s doing” because she wanted to get close to the “action” in Hollywood.
They stayed in Canada first because a move to California from the UK would have been “bad optics”, the insider claimed.
Harry, 35, and Meghan, 38, arrived in LA last month and quickly sought out Sir Elton and David — parents to Zachary, nine, and Elijah, seven.
George and Amal Clooney are also said to have helped the Sussexes settle in — with advice ranging from security to schooling.
New pictures have emerged of Meghan, 38, and Harry, 35, doing their bit in LA to help those most at risk during the pandemic crisis.
On Friday, the couple masked up to comply with Californian laws about the virus as they delivered free meals in West Hollywood for charity Project Angel Food. Archie stayed at home with minders.
The charity’s executive director Richard Ayoub described the pair as “extremely down to earth and genuinely interested in every single person they met”.
Harry opted for a blue bandana over his mouth and nose as he carried supplies from a blacked-out 4×4.
Meghan wore a cap emblazoned with the charity’s logo and a heavier duty, carbon-filtered mask.
‘DOWN TO EARTH’
She was also seen carrying a blue food bag and wearing protective gloves as she punched a code into a keypad outside one residence.
After delivering their packages, the couple were seen linking arms and holding hands.
They later enjoyed a lockdown stroll with their dogs on a community route popular with locals.
Meanwhile, they have shelved plans for a party to mark Archie’s first birthday on May 6. Instead, they will host a “cake smash” which they aim to screen on the video app Zoom.
The smash is a phenomenon which started Stateside three years ago and is regarded as a rite of passage for tots turning one.
Some are professionally photographed with sponge and icing smeared over their faces.
A bubble bath to clean up the mess is often captured on camera for posterity.
Family and friends will be invited to see Archie get very messy with his specially made cake.
The ritual costs around £800. Meghan has also arranged for a company to drop off balloons and decorations to ensure the happy event is celebrated in style.
A friend confirmed: “Meghan and Harry had planned a party for Archie with their innermost circle invited.
“Instead, Meghan has organised a cake smash where family and friends will watch on video as Archie plunders a birthday cake.
“Under normal circumstances they would have hired a professional photographer to capture the moment but, under lockdown, Harry and Meghan are going to take it in turns acting as snapper.
“In addition, Meghan has lovingly put together a photo album of Archie’s ‘best bits’, and a video montage of things they’ve privately filmed over the past year.
“These will be sent to family members, and they’re politely asking those who can donate to their foundation or local LA charities instead of any presents for Archie.”
On the birthday itself, the family plan to spend the day at their new Californian mansion, and will speak to loved ones via FaceTime or Zoom.
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Earlier this month, Harry and Meghan unveiled plans for their latest organisation, Archewell.
The foundation will replace their Sussex Royal brand. They reportedly have plans to launch a charity and website.
Harry and Meghan also revealed the Greek word Arche — meaning “source of action” — was the inspiration behind their son’s name.
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