Meghan and Harry erect screens around $28 million LA mansion

They may have left the palace for a quieter life, but nosy hikers in LA have led to the Duke and Duchess making some security changes.

After stepping down from their royal duties and fleeing to Los Angeles for a life free from the scrutiny of the British press, it seems Meghan Markle and Prince Harry haven’t quite found the peaceful life they were looking for.

The Sussexes have reportedly erected screens outside the $28 million mansion they are staying in after discovering hikers can peer in to their property from a nearby track.

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The screens went up shortly after Harry was photographed playing with the couple’s black labrador in the grassy backyard.

Harry and Meghan, with son Archie, relocated to California in March after a brief stint living in Canada. This followed their January decision to step down as senior members of the royal family. Now, they are rumoured to be staying at a plush $28 million home owned by movie producer Tyler Perry.

Friend of the famous pair, US talk show host Oprah Winfrey, is said to have introduced them to Perry, hooking them up with the luxury accommodation.

But they’ve started to make some changes already, with workers seen putting up screens at the property over the weekend.

New screens were erected at the Beverly Hills mansion over the weekend. Picture: Backgrid

It is thought the screens are to protect the royal couple from prying eyes from a hiking trail which borders the property. Picture: Backgrid

It comes as locals start to enjoy more freedom amid the current coronavirus pandemic, given Los Angeles County has relaxed some of its lockdown rules, reopening hiking trails including a popular walking route which borders the couple’s temporary home.

Screens have been put up to give the family some privacy from exercisers and dog walkers who could potentially look in and see Harry, Meghan and Archie spending time around the pool in the manicured backyard.

Archie turned one earlier this month. Picture: Instagram

The security-conscious royal couple have installed the screens around the luxury pad. Picture: Backgrid

Oprah Winfrey is said to have hooked the couple up with the accommodation which is owned by Tyler Perry. Picture: Backgrid

The swish property is surrounded by security cameras and features eight bedrooms, 12 bathrooms, and a Tuscan Villa-style design.

It sits on 22 acres on the top of a hill in the ultra-exclusive Beverly Ridge Estates guard-gated community, with sweeping views of Los Angeles.

A source told Daily Mail: “Meghan and Harry have been extremely cautious to keep their base in LA under wraps.

“Their team helped them choose the location for their transition to Los Angeles wisely.

“It has its own guarded gate and Tyler’s property has a gate of its own which is watched by their security team.

“They have been at this property for a month without anyone finding out,” the source said.

Meghan and Harry have been keeping to themselves in LA. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

It is not known whether the royals are renting Tyler’s property or staying there as guests, but there is no record of the mansion having been sold.

They’re in good company, with some of their neighbours including Sylvester Stallone, Rod Stewart and Mark Wahlberg.

Meghan, 38, and Harry, 35, have only been spotted a couple of times since their big move to the US.

They volunteered for a local charity dropping off food to those who are at a high risk of catching coronavirus, and they were also spotted taking their beloved dogs out for a walk.

Both the Sussexes and Perry consider legendary talk show host Oprah their Hollywood mentor.

Oprah is even godmother to Perry’s five-year-old son Aman, and was seen at the house Meghan and Harry are now staying at for the boy’s christening celebrations in 2015.