Meghan Markle’s kitchen rule: Why no photos are allowed inside her Montecito home

Meghan Markle has always been protective of her private life, especially when it comes to her $15 million Montecito mansion, which she shares with Prince Harry and their two children. While the Duchess of Sussex frequently shares glimpses of her home on social media to promote her business ventures, she has consistently avoided opening her doors to journalists—until recently.

No Photos Allowed Inside Meghan’s Home

As part of her new lifestyle brand launch, As Ever, Meghan invited New York Times food writer Julia Moskin to her Montecito home. However, there was one strict rule: no photographs inside the house. Moskin revealed in an article published Wednesday, “I was allowed in on the condition that no photographs were taken in, or of, the house.” She also noted that she was the first journalist to be invited into Meghan’s home.

While Moskin was given access to the kitchen, viewers of Meghan’s Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, were not. The series, which premiered on March 4, was filmed at an $8 million farmhouse just two miles from her actual residence. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Meghan explained the reason behind this decision. “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,” she shared. She further elaborated, “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!”

Meghan’s Love for Cooking

Despite her firm stance on privacy, Meghan continues to give fans a taste of her culinary life through social media. Recently, she shared a video on Instagram showcasing a dessert she made to celebrate her daughter, Princess Lilibet. The clip featured Meghan adding finishing touches to a pudding, garnishing it with fruit and mint leaves. Her mother, Doria Ragland, was also seen tasting the dish, with Meghan playfully telling her, “Once you get to the bottom, taste all the banana.” In response, Ragland humorously delayed her verdict, saying, “I’ll tell you when I am done.”

Meghan’s passion for homemaking was evident to Moskin during her visit. The food writer observed, “Last week’s visit … showed that she is a passionate home cook who knows her way around a vinaigrette, is quick with a lemon zester, and deft with a knife.”

Meanwhile, With Love, Meghan has been renewed for a second season, leaving many wondering whether the audience will finally get a glimpse of her Montecito kitchen.