Meghan Markle Reportedly Splurged On Her Wardrobe To 'Look The Part Of A Princess' With Her Montecito Neighbors

Meghan Markle is sparking headlines again, but this time it is for her wardrobe choices. 

The alleged extravagant fashion overhaul comes when Meghan faces a series of challenges, including a delay to her "Archetypes" podcast, which was pushed back.

Meghan Markle, who has been making waves with her upcoming Netflix series "With Love, Megan," reportedly dropped a small fortune on a new wardrobe.

Sources reveal that the 43-year-old feels the pressure to embody the image of royalty, even as she and Prince Harry settle into their California life, far removed from their days as senior members of the British royal family.

As Meghan steps into this new phase of her life, sources reveal that the stakes have risen, with her neighbors in Montecito setting a new standard of wealth and luxury. 

"The crowd she's fallen in with in Montecito are next-level rich and that has absolutely raised the bar for her when it comes to her own style," says the source, explaining how her Montecito circle wears millions in jewelry without a second thought, adding:

"She's always loved designer clothes and fancy things, but now, it's about keeping up with them."

This fashion overhaul is reportedly part of Meghan's ongoing efforts to build an aspirational brand that encourages others to emulate her style. According to the source, "She's got to look the part of a Princess."

After relocating from the U.K. to North America in 2020, Meghan reportedly needed to project an image of quiet luxury, which has become a core part of her personal brand.  "She feels a lot of pressure to embody this royal image that she's clinging to," an insider explains to In Touch.

This has reportedly led her to hire "an A-list stylist because she needs to exude quiet luxury at all times and that does take a lot of effort, not to mention a ton of money."

Meghan and her husband, Prince Harry, are reportedly living lavishly in Montecito, one of the most exclusive and expensive neighborhoods in the U.S. The coastal enclave is known for its celebrity residents like Katy Perry, Natalie Portman, and Michael Keaton.

The couple's Mediterranean-style mansion, which they purchased for a whopping $14.65 million in June 2020, spans an impressive 14,500 square feet, with nine bedrooms and 16 bathrooms. 

This luxury property is nestled in a neighborhood where the median household income reaches $212,154, making it one of the wealthiest zip codes in the country.

In a trailer for her Netflix series, Meghan gave fans a glimpse of her upscale lifestyle, reportedly sporting a $13,400 Cartier necklace. Alongside her longtime friend Mindy Kaling, Meghan layered a $395 cashmere sweater over a $1,325 crewneck in another scene of the trailer. 

The announcement marked her first time posting on Instagram in years. In the caption, Meghan expressed her enthusiasm for the project, stating, "I have been so excited to share this with you! I hope you love the show as much as I loved making it." 

She also extended her gratitude to the crew and Netflix team, adding, "Thanks to our amazing crew and the team @netflix. Beyond grateful for the support — and fun! As ever, Meghan."

Netflix noted that the series was a fresh take on the "genre of lifestyle programming, blending practical how-to's and candid conversation with friends, new and old."

The description continued, "Meghan shares personal tips and tricks, embracing playfulness over perfection and highlights how easy it can be to create beauty, even in the unexpected. She and her guests roll up their sleeves in the kitchen, the garden, and beyond and invite you to do the same."

While the Duchess was excited for the release of her new Netflix series, she had to delay its launch due to the L.A crisis. The Blast reported that it was not just her series that suffered delays, her podcast was also caught in the aftermath of the fires.

Sources revealed to Hello! Magazine that Meghan's podcast, initially slated to debut on Lemonada Media, faced its own setbacks. Initially set to launch on Spotify's streaming platform, the show was postponed after the partnership with Spotify fell apart. 

Meghan's move to Lemonada Media followed the collapse of her $20 million deal with Spotify. Meghan expressed her excitement about joining Lemonada in a February 2024 statement, saying:

"I'm proud to now be able to share that I am joining the brilliant team at Lemonada to continue my love of podcasting."

Meghan's much-anticipated cooking series, which was set for a January 15 premiere, was rescheduled for March 4. The mother-of-two expressed gratitude to Netflix for understanding her decision to push back the launch. 

"I'm thankful to my partners at Netflix for supporting me in delaying the launch as we focus on the needs of those impacted by the wildfires in California," Meghan noted. 

The decision sparked mixed reactions, with some fans accusing Meghan of trying to avoid being "overshadowed" by the tragic events. A source refuted the claims, revealing to People that the choice was not a difficult one.

"Delaying the release of With Love, Meghan was likely an easy decision for her. I don't think she could imagine putting out a show centered on joy and hosting when so many people in her home state no longer have homes to host people in," the insider explained.

Meghan Markle is undoubtedly making moves with her much-anticipated projects.