Prince Harry and Meghan’s Montecito Neighbors Reveal Why They Are Glad to See Them Go
Following the surprising news that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are leaving the U.S. and returning to the U.K. six and a half years after they bid farewell to the duke’s homeland, some of their Montecito neighbors are sharing their feelings on the move.
While the couple will retain their residence in the exclusive coastal California town, several people who live in the same area as the Sussexes are welcoming a break from them for the foreseeable future.
For years, there have been reports that many locals were not happy when Meghan and Harry moved into the neighborhood. Richard Mineards, who lives near the Sussexes and is also a writer for the Montecito Journal, was the first to report that not everyone living in the celebrity enclave is a fan of the former working royals.
Mineards talked to communications specialist and fellow Montecito resident Barry Maher. He described the pair as nothing more than a “traveling soap opera.” Mineards spoke to another local. Ici Paris, as well who described Meghan and Harry as “very out of touch with the community.” And another neighbor close by told the journalist that they “cannot wait for them to go.”
In a February 2025 cover story, Vanity Fair spoke with dozens of people who live near the prince and his wife, and they aired out many complaints. Some opined that the duke and duchess weren’t good for their neighborhood, referring to them as “local villains.” The reason for that is they feel the Sussexes directly contribute to the “increase in housing prices, out-of-towners coming in driving too fast, and taking up all the street parking.” Moreover, other residents say that because of all the attention on their town, “You can’t just walk into Lucky’s for dinner anymore.”
So how do they feel now that Harry and Meghan are going back to the U.K. at least temporarily?
The Sun spoke to a woman named Jennifer, who worked at a Montecito Country Mart where Meghan visited on several occasions. She claimed that the former Suits star “became a laughing stock here because all she would do is steal other people’s looks and ideas … I worked in a store here and served Meghan, and I know people who have worked with her on her Netflix show. She got all the ideas from other people. Nothing was original.
“Things like the floral arrangements and petals and gift boxes featured in the show were not made by her. They were made by other people working on the show and even the ideas for them that make up the As Ever range were taken from other people in the town. I feel sorry for them but hope they find happiness. I feel they have ostracised themselves here and abroad. I fear for their future.”
Another store employee told the outlet, “I’m glad they’re leaving. Good riddance. Meghan spoke about my favorite beach, Butterfly Beach, in her show and ruined it. She said she has drunk champagne there with friends but that had to be a lie. It is not legal to drink on the beach here. And after that it just became too crowded. I just can’t go there anymore. there’s never anywhere to park.
“That’s the effect they had here in town. They’re the only celebrities here who go around with bodyguards. Other A-listers just as famous and likely richer than them walk around casually like any normal person.”
