Prince Harry and Ms. Markle visit Titanic Belfast, by niogovuk from flickr

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle faced heightened security concerns after a spate of burglaries rocked their upscale Montecito neighbourhood in California, prompting warnings of potential targeting by an organised gang.

At the time of the incidents, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were away in Jamaica for the “Bob Marley: One Love” movie premiere. The Montecito Association and Santa Barbara County Sheriff immediately issued a neighbourhood-wide alert, raising the alarm as the couple’s residence might be the next target of the gang.

“In the past week, deputies have taken several burglary reports with notable similarities in the resident layouts, times of occurrence and items taken. In these burglaries, criminals target unoccupied residences that back up to open spaces,” said Santa Barbara County Sheriff Officer Rachel Zick. 

“Investigators have noted most of these crimes occur between 6 pm and 10 pm… The suspect(s) in these cases are targeting safes.”

This incident was not the first for the couple, as their California residence has faced repeated security concerns. In July 2022, within the first 14 months of their move, the property received six security alerts, two of which prompted a police response. The two instances were logged as “trespasser,” “property crimes,” and “suspicious circumstances” concerns.

These reports follow a separate incident in December 2020, when a man allegedly trespassed at the couple’s previous residence and was later arrested.

The Sussexes are known for spending millions annually on their security. According to The Mirror, they have recently bolstered their security team with the addition of experienced personnel. The new additions include Christopher Sanchez, who previously served as a bodyguard for former President Barack Obama, and Christopher Keenan, who protected former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. 

Despite losing their publicly-funded protection officers after stepping down as senior royals in January 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may have had an advocate for continued security in the late Queen Elizabeth II herself. 

A newly revealed letter from the Queen’s private secretary, Sir Edward Young, to then Cabinet Secretary Sir Mark Sedwill in January 2020 suggests the Queen took a “special interest” in ensuring the couple’s safety even after they departed from official royal duties.

Keeping valuables safe

Nestled amid California’s scenic coast, Montecito is a relatively safe city compared to the U.S. average. Its violent crime rate of 17.9 sits well below the national average of 22.7, while property crimes ring in at 30.4, lower than the 35.4 US average. This city has attracted celebrities as residents, including Oprah Winfrey, Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom, and Ariana Grande.

Even with lower crime rates, the place is not immune to criminal activity, just like any other residential area in the UK. Recent safe-burglary cases serve as a reminder that vigilance remains crucial.

For high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) and ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs), home safes have become essential vaults to store jewellery, important documents, and significant cash reserves from potential theft or damage. Investing in a premium home safe grants peace of mind, knowing irreplaceable assets are shielded from burglars and other malicious actors.

However, ensuring asset protection demands more than just sturdy safes. For comprehensive security, HNWIs and UHNWIs can hire the help of security firms like Marengo. They offer bespoke solutions by assessing each residence’s needs and vulnerabilities and tailoring the ideal combination of qualified personnel and cutting-edge security technology for enhanced home security.