Meghan Markle Celebrates Montecito Community as Rumors of Departure Emerge

The buzz around Meghan Markle and Prince Harry potentially relocating back to the U.K. has stirred up quite the conversation among Montecito residents. While whispers suggest some locals are ready to bid them farewell, Meghan remains unfazed. In a recent interview following the announcement of their move, the former “Suits” star showered the area with compliments, proving once again that her charm is unshakable. Now that’s what you call killing ’em with kindness!

ICYMI, several years after moving to Montecito, Meghan and Harry are returning to the U.K. Unsurprisingly, given all the royal family drama over the years, many have had strong opinions on the matter — and equally unsurprisingly, some Montecito residents have told the press they won’t miss the couple. Speaking to Page Six, one not-so-friendly neighbor cracked, “Good riddance!” They went on to complain about the Sussexes, “Always asking for grandiose favors … because of their titles.” Another bone of contention from that particular resident? “The town is exhausted by them, the entitlement and the never ending drama,” they snapped. Uh, yikes. A few days later, another insider also told Page Six that at one point, the Sussexes had struggled to find a housekeeper and claimed that Meghan’s supposedly “snobbish” behavior was the reason why. “It got to the point where people would joke that all the maids in Montecito hated them,” the source claimed. 

Despite all that, don’t expect to see Meghan herself trashing the Santa Barbara community. In fact, in an interview with Emily Chang for “The Circuit” after announcing the move, she had nothing but glowing words. “We have such a beautiful, embracing community,” Meghan gushed. The Duchess of Sussex also told Chang that one of the things she loved about Montecito was that they’d had “a really supported, sweet life.” Hey, even the sweetest community can have a cranky neighbor or two!

Interestingly, even among those who told Page Six they would not particularly miss the Sussexes, there seemed to be no ill will. One resident elaborated, “Montecito is known for being a tranquil, private escape, and the return to a quieter atmosphere might be welcomed.” However, they also acknowledged that opinions vary among the locals.

On the flip side, some in Montecito have expressed gratitude for the Sussexes’ presence. A resident shared with The Guardian their appreciation for how Meghan and Harry embraced and supported local businesses. The sentiment was, “We hope they relished the beauty of our mountains and beaches and the camaraderie within the community. We would gladly welcome them back.” A Santa Barbara County supervisor echoed this in an interview with The New York Times, acknowledging the couple as integral parts of the community.

As the debate continues, it’s essential to mention that the Sussexes’ time in the U.K. might not be permanent. According to their representative, who spoke to The New York Times, “Harry and Meghan have decided to spend an extended period in the U.K. this autumn.” Despite this, they have no plans to sell their Montecito home. An insider explained to People that Montecito remains their primary residence. The move across the pond is not seen as a permanent decision. It’s clear Meghan remains undeterred by any negative voices. For anyone cheering their departure, perhaps a cheeky Mariah Carey “Sorry” GIF would be the perfect response.