Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Gets Shocking Villains Title as Montecito Neighbors Turn Against Them
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry may have escaped royal life, but their California neighbors aren’t rolling out the red carpet.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have reportedly been dubbed the most irritating residents of Montecito.
According to Vanity Fair, locals see the Sussexes as the town’s “villains” due to their constant need for attention and monetization of everything they do. Their presence, it seems, is not as welcome as they might have hoped.
One of the biggest complaints? Skyrocketing housing prices and an influx of tourists who flood the area, hoping to catch a glimpse of the controversial couple.
The situation worsens when visitors take up street parking and drive recklessly near popular hiking trails.
One Montecito resident specifically called out Meghan’s new lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, as another example of her “hucksterism.” Critics argue she’s using her celebrity status to turn everything into a money-making opportunity.
“They moved here for privacy, yet they’re constantly drawing attention to themselves,” one frustrated local told Vanity Fair. “They claim they want a quiet life, but their actions say otherwise.”
The backlash intensified when Meghan was seen hiking near Montecito while Harry flew solo to King Charles’ coronation in May 2023. Many saw it as a carefully staged PR move rather than a genuine outing.
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Elaine Lui, a celebrity commentator and longtime Meghan critic, didn’t hold back. “I still think they’re the most entitled, disingenuous people on the planet,” she said.
“They left England to avoid media scrutiny, yet they can’t seem to stay out of the headlines in America.”
Despite stepping back from royal duties for a “simpler life,” Meghan and Harry have continued to release Netflix shows, documentaries, books, and now, lifestyle products—all heavily monetized ventures.
Locals are reportedly fed up with the hypocrisy. “They wanted privacy, yet they keep putting themselves in the spotlight,” another Montecito resident complained.
Even their grand $14 million mansion has become a source of division. Some believe their presence has transformed Montecito from a peaceful retreat into a celebrity hotspot.
Whether the Sussexes will address the backlash remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—Montecito isn’t exactly rolling out the welcome mat for its most controversial couple.
