As Prince Harry and Meghan Markle gear up to move back to the UK, some people from their Montecito, California, neighborhood apparently can’t wait to show them the door.
The Sussexes are relocating with their kids, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, who are expected to start school in the UK from September.
The family will be living in a private, non-royal home base in Britain, several years after they stepped down from their royal duties in 2020.
Highlights
- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are preparing to move back to the UK with their kids, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5.
- One Montecito circle reportedly had a brutal reaction to the news, saying, “Good riddance.”
- “The town is exhausted by them, the entitlement and the never ending drama,” said one source.
- Another claimed that fellow Montecito resident Gwyneth Paltrow would be “glad” to wave goodbye to the Sussex couple.
One circle living in Montecito apparently can’t wait to show the door to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
In 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle turned their backs on their royal lives in the UK and moved to California, first living in filmmaker Tyler Perry’s LA home for a few weeks.
They then bought an 18,671 square feet mansion worth $14.5 million that boasts of nine bedrooms and 16 bathrooms.
Despite the move to the UK, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex plan on keeping the estate, which also includes a tennis court, rose garden, tea house, and children’s playhouse.
But one source claimed to the New York Post that there have been “rumblings” about the couple possibly selling the property, which would make “every broker” want the listing.
One neighbor claimed that the common response from some Montecito residents to their move is “good riddance.”
They claimed that they were “happy” to see them move because they were always allegedly using “their title” and “asking for grandiose favors” from friends and acquaintances.
Some locals also allegedly refer to the couple as the “Grift and Griftess of Sussex,” the source told Page Six.
One neighbor claimed that the common response among one Montecito circle to their move is “good riddance”
They also claimed that the Sussexes are “never giving anything back” to others or doing anything for “the actual Montecito community.”
“The town is exhausted by them, the entitlement and the never ending drama,” they said.
Montecito’s ultra-luxury and extreme privacy has made it a strong attraction for celebrities to settle down.
Stars like Oprah Winfrey, Katy Perry, Rob Lowe, and Gwyneth Paltrow call the place their home away from the chaos of Hollywood.
Even Prince Harry and Meghan decided it was the perfect place to settle after their dramatic exit from the UK.
But at the time, some locals were concerned about their arrival changing the vibe of the sleepy, low-key town.
Now, one insider claimed they “couldn’t be more thrilled” about them leaving.
Some claimed it was “tiring” to see everything in Montecito be about Harry and Meghan
“Montecito is a very private, peaceful place, and I think a lot of people here will be happy to see things go back to being a little quieter,” they told the outlet.
“Everything in Montecito was about Harry and Meghan this, Harry and Meghan that, and it got tiring, especially for the other stars who live there,” another source told the Daily Mail.
Vanessa Lynn, manager of a local women's boutique, said they would be happy to see their “sleepy little town” go back to normal.
“We don't really give a crap,” she told the outlet. “We don't care. This used to be a nice sleepy little town, but when Harry and Meghan arrived, a bunch of people would come in hoping to see them. But Harry and Meghan didn't really assimilate into the community.”
Vanessa claimed they rarely saw the couple out and about, so visitors were “usually disappointed” about not seeing them walk down the street or go shopping.
Her friend Debbie not only agreed but also said, “We all hoped they would support local shops and patronize local restaurants, but that rarely happened.”
Fellow Montecito resident Gwyneth Paltrow would be “glad” to wave goodbye to the Sussexes, one claimed
Another source claimed that fellow Montecito resident Gwyneth Paltrow would be “glad” to wave goodbye to the Sussexes, mainly because she never liked seeing her lifestyle brand Goop being compared to Meghan’s brand As ever.
“Gwyneth didn't like being compared to Meghan, so she is glad she is moving out of Montecito,” a source told the outlet.
“Gwyneth also did not like all the comparisons with Meghan's brand and her brand Goop, it was like enough already!” they added. “But she wishes them well with their new life.”
Last year, when rumors of a feud between Paltrow and Meghan sizzled online, the two actresses shut them down with an unexpected, cheeky video.
Gwyneth addressed the rumors in a Q&A with her fans at the time, where one asked, “Are you comprehending the Meghan Markle beef that social media says you two have?”
“I genuinely do not understand this,” the Oscar winner said after reading out the question.
“Do you understand this?” she then asked, panning the camera to the guest seated at the table with her: Meghan herself, who was enjoying some pie.
The Duchess shrugged to suggest she had no idea what people were talking about.
“Gwyneth just hated being compared to Meghan, like she thought it was petty and mean,” one said
Following the news of the Sussex couple’s move, a second source said there was never a rift between the two lifestyle entrepreneurs because “Gwyneth really admires Meghan.”
“The world has been hard on her,” they said. “Gwyneth just hated being compared to Meghan, like she thought it was petty and mean, she doesn't want to be pitted against another woman ever.”
The source said the Seven actress was all about sisterhood and women supporting women.
“Gwyneth and her circle think it's great because now Meghan and Harry can be closer to his family,” they added.
Many residents claimed they have no direct reason to miss the Sussexes when they leave Montecito.
“Their departure won't matter to Montecito at all. Nothing will change here, life will go on,” British-born Julie Groen, 62, a longtime resident of the town, told the outlet.
“We won't miss them,” added Carlos, 45. “This place is crawling with celebrities.”
On the other hand, there were certain people who admitted they would miss the couple
Some residents claimed they weren’t surprised at all by the news of Prince Harry and Meghan saying adios to their life in California.
Taylor, 70, always felt Prince Harry wouldn’t “last long” in Montecito because it’s a “huge cultural difference from England.”
“He can't just go out to the pub. It's isolating here,” they added. “He's going back to all the problems he desperately wanted to escape by coming to America.”
On the other hand, there were still some people who admitted they would miss the couple when they leave. Most of them were staff at places where the couple dined at, such as Lucky's Steakhouse.
“We'll miss them,” said Brett Sanderson, manager of the business. “We love them.”
Maitre d' Jessi of Little Mountain restaurant said, “They've been here several times and we'll certainly miss their presence.”
“Just out of curiosity, why does everybody take it so personally with what these two do with their lives?” one commented online
