Are Meghan Markle, Prince Harry Being Shunned? Montecito Neighbours Are Reportedly 'Avoiding' Them

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are reportedly finding life in Montecito less welcoming than expected, with several local residents said to be 'avoiding' the couple in the wealthy California enclave they have called home since 2020.

Meghan and Harry bought their £11.6 million Montecito mansion after stepping back from royal duties and relocating to the United States. At the time, their team stressed that the move was about privacy and stability for their young family.

A spokesperson told Vogue that the Sussexes had 'settled into the quiet privacy of their community' and hoped that this would be respected for both them and their neighbours. Four years on, however, accounts of their standing in the community now appear sharply divided.

According to OK!, some Montecito residents are actively avoiding the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. 'They are avoiding them,' the insider claimed. 'No one wants to be seen with them.' The accusation is blunt and reflects a broader fatigue that has often surrounded the couple's public narrative since leaving the UK.

Another source cited in the same report suggested this alleged froideur has been a slow burn rather than a sudden backlash. The mood, they said, was 'not hate' but a 'growing awareness that they're takers with zero self-awareness,' adding that 'everyone's exhausted by them.' The language is highly charged and reflects a town already accustomed to managing celebrity proximity without always embracing it.

Montecito Tensions Surround Meghan and Prince Harry

Meghan and Prince Harry have tried to frame Montecito as their sanctuary. The area, home to a roster of discreetly wealthy residents, seemed at first a natural fit for a couple wanting distance from the scrutiny of royal life. Their move was presented as a reset with a new country, new work and new rules.

The overarching complaint, at least according to these unnamed sources, is not about their titles or politics but about perceived self‑centredness. In a community that values understatement, the Sussexes' high‑profile deals, interviews, and media projects have clearly not gone unnoticed.

There is, though, a competing version of events. A source close to Meghan and Harry pushed back firmly on the suggestion they have been snubbed, arguing that the portrayal is simply inaccurate. 'They have a great relationship with their neighbours and love their community,' the insider said, offering a much more harmonious picture of Montecito life.

The truth, as often with the couple, is difficult to pin down. There is no public record of neighbour disputes, no on‑the‑record complaints from other residents, and no confirmation that social invitations have dried up. All claims rely heavily on unnamed sources, so any sweeping judgement about their local standing should be treated with caution.

Career Challenges Add Pressure

The latest reports about Meghan and Prince Harry's Montecito relationships come amid a notable shift in Meghan's business portfolio. Her lifestyle brand, As Ever, is no longer backed by Netflix, the streaming giant that partnered with the couple shortly after their move to the United States.

According to Page Six, the decision was described as commercially pragmatic, with a source saying it did not 'make sense' to continue the partnership after Netflix reportedly cancelled Meghan's related series after two seasons. There has been no independent confirmation of the cancellation beyond that report, so the precise status of the show remains unclear.

Netflix struck a more diplomatic tone in a formal statement. The company praised Meghan's 'passion for elevating everyday moments in beautiful yet simple ways' and said it was 'glad to have played a role in bringing that vision to life.' It framed the separation as part of the original plan, stating that Meghan would now 'continue growing the brand and take it into its next chapter independently,' and added that the platform looked forward to seeing how she would 'bring joy to households around the world.'

A spokesperson for As Ever echoed the upbeat tone. 'We have experienced meaningful and rapid growth and As Ever is now ready to stand on its own,' the representative said, promising 'an exciting year ahead.' The brand, which launched last year, focuses on artisan-style fruit spreads, honey and 'flower sprinkles,' products that featured prominently in the short-lived Netflix series With Love, Meghan.

The Montecito episode underlines how little control they sometimes have over the narratives that surround them. One set of sources suggests neighbours are keeping their distance, while another describes the relationship as warm and settled. Nothing has been independently verified, and no named residents have supported the more critical claims, so all of it should, for now, be treated with caution.