Meghan Markle takes the heat as a Montecito neighbor highlights her questionable personality, a stark contrast to her husband, Prince Harry. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex relocated to the affluent Montecito community in California in 2020, following their decision to step back from their royal duties and start a new life in the United States. Their move attracted widespread media coverage, drawing attention to the quiet and peaceful community. The slew of drama trailing the Sussexes since their royal stepback has further intensified this unsolicited attention, with some neighbors voicing their disapproval of the couple’s presence to media outlets.
While the mostly negative headlines may understandably influence the perception of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle among their Montecito neighbors, five years is enough time to form their own, more informed opinions. One Montecito resident, local journalist Richard Mineards, has done exactly that, sharing his observations with the Ici Paris. The journalist explained the couple’s contrasting personalities, with Meghan seeming more “controlled,” snobbish, and complicated, while her husband has been more jolly.
Meghan Reportedly Distances Herself From Montecito Neighbors
Mineards revealed how Meghan Markle proved her unwillingness to socialize with the neighbors right from her first arrival in their $14.7 million abode now valued at $29 million. He referenced a particular incident involving an elderly neighbor, who tried to hand the Duchess a documentary he made about the local history of their neighborhood. However, the man never got past the gate of the Sussexes’ mansion. Mineards claimed that the 43-year-old “never tried to fit in” in Montecito, ultimately making her very distant from her equally wealthy and mostly famous neighbors. He divulged,
“She cultivates a very controlled image. She pays attention to every appearance, every word, every gesture. And here in Montecito, we appreciate simple people, even famous ones. Oprah Winfrey, for example, shows up at charity events. Meghan doesn’t play the community game.”
Meghan Markle Pitted Against Prince Harry in Brutal Comparison
The Montecito neighbor went on to create a contrast to Meghan Markle’s husband, Prince Harry, who neighbors consider much warmer. The local journalist described the British prince as “always charming, approachable, with that recognisable Windsor accent.” Mineards admitted that Harry always smiled, shook hands, and conversed with his neighbors willingly. The 40-year-old also partook in activities around the community, like visiting the beach, the organic coffee shop, or even going cycling in the hills. After dishing out his praise of the “less in control” Harry, the journalist fueled the couple’s rivalry by creating an outright comparison to his wife, saying,
“Harry has kept his good-natured side. We feel that he is more at ease here, even with his personal struggles… Meghan, on the other hand, is practically invisible. She’s there, of course, but she shows herself very little. Her relationship with Montecito is… distant, shall we say.”
This isn’t the first time Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have faced public scrutiny from their Montecito neighbours. Sources have previously claimed that neighbors, especially, frown upon the couple’s presence, as it has turned their once serene neighborhood into a tourist attraction. As a result, many residents have taken to ignoring the duo, further shrinking their social circle and making Harry increasingly bored in the United States. Other sources have accused the pair of being “entitled and disingenuous” owing to their personalities.
Despite these tabloid claims portraying Meghan Markle as distant from her neighbors, she appears to be faring quite well socially, getting along with the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow and a number of fellow moms and yoga companions in her California neighborhood.
