Inside Meghan Markle’s ‘fun’ life in Montecito: Girls’ nights out, playdates, Pilates and more

Girls just wanna have fun.

Meghan Markle shared rare details about her busy but private life in Montecito, Calif., in a new interview.

The Duchess of Sussex told People for a cover story published Monday that she has gotten to know her close-knit community after she and her husband, Prince Harry, purchased a $14.65 million home in the area in 2020 after quitting their royal duties in the UK.

Meghan Markle shared details about her exciting but private life in Montecito, Calif. AP The Duchess of Sussex said she has gotten to know her close-knit community after she and her husband, Prince Harry, purchased a $14 million home in the area in 2020 after quitting the royal family in the UK. meghan/Instagram

“We go to a lot of dinners, and not just in people’s homes or private rooms; we just go into the restaurant,” she said of her and the Duke of Sussex’s outings with pals.

“I really love that we can just have fun,” she added.

Markle, 43, has grown close to several women in the ritzy town with whom she works out and plays with her and Harry’s two kids, Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3.

“We go to a lot of dinners, and not just in people’s homes or private rooms; we just go into the restaurant,” she told People of her and the Duke of Sussex’s outings with pals. WireImage Markle has grown close to several women in the town whom she spends time with working out and with her and Harry’s two kids: Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Meghan Markle/Instagram

“I have a couple of girlfriends up here; these are stay-at-home moms and working women with normal jobs, not in the public eye,” she told the magazine.

“We went from just connecting through our kids to having girls’ night out or doing Pilates together,” she added.

One of Markle’s companions told the outlet that the mom of two reached out to her via phone to schedule a playdate for their kids.

“We went from just connecting through our kids to having girls’ night out or doing Pilates together,” she added. AKM-GSI One of Markle’s companions told the outlet that the mom of two reached out to her via phone to schedule a playdate for their kids. Alexi Lubomirski / Duke and Duch

“You can see that as a unit,” the friend said of the former actress and Harry, “they’re all very connected.”

The pal said that after her son’s recent surgery, Markle and her kids sent a bouquet of balloons, a stuffed octopus and a handwritten note that read, “We thought you could use a hug with eight arms.”

During the “Suits” alum’s alone time, she likes to take yoga classes in the area.

The pal said that after her son’s recent surgery, Markle and her kids sent a bouquet of balloons, a stuffed octopus and a handwritten note. meghan/Instagram Markle’s interview came a day before her new show, “With love, Meghan,” hits Netflix. meghan/Instagram

“I go to [yoga] classes that sometimes have 40 to 50 people in them and just walk in like, ‘Hi!’ ” she said.

“Of course, at the beginning, that felt like a lot. By the way, I think anybody walking into a yoga class with 50 people and everyone looks up, it’s going to feel a little uncomfortable!” she explained, adding that she now loves it.

Markle’s interview came a day before her new show, “With love, Meghan,” hits Netflix.

In the eight-episode series was filmed in a rental home in Montecito. @meghan/Instagram The show will feature guest appearances by Harry, Markle’s “Suits” co-star Abigail Spencer and comedian Mindy Kaling. AP

In the eight-episode series, which was filmed in a rental home in Montecito, the As Ever founder “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.”

The show will feature guest appearances by Harry, 40, Markle’s “Suits” co-star Abigail Spencer and comedian Mindy Kaling.