Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s move to the ritzy town of Montecito, California, has stirred mixed feelings among its residents. While some see the couple as valued members of the community, others reportedly blame them for the town’s rising housing costs, increased traffic, and other changes. According to Vanity Fair, one unnamed local referred to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as “the prince and the starlet,” claiming their arrival disrupted the serene atmosphere of the Santa Barbara area.
Despite the criticism, not all opinions are negative. Meghan and Harry’s famous neighbor, actress Sharon Stone, has previously praised the couple for integrating into the Montecito community. “They didn’t come here to live off of our community. They came here to be a part of our community,” she told Access Hollywood in 2020. Stone even shared a story of a friend who encountered the couple biking through the neighborhood and described them as friendly and approachable.
Adding another layer to their California life, Meghan’s business venture, American Riviera Orchard, is based in Montecito, a nod to the town’s nickname, “The American Riviera.” However, some locals claim the title more accurately belongs to Santa Barbara.
Since stepping down from royal duties and relocating to the United States five years ago, Harry is reportedly struggling to establish a social circle outside of his family. A source who has worked with Meghan professionally shared that Harry has “yet to make many friends” in the area.
While the couple navigates life in the States, they remain a topic of fascination—and debate—among both neighbors and fans worldwide.
