Meghan Markle and Prince Harry consider moving to LA after Montecito neighbors slam their reclusiveness
MONTECITO, CALIFORNIA: Meghan Markle is in the crosshairs of her affluent Montecito neighbors, as highlighted in the German documentary 'Harry: The Lost Prince.'
According to an exclusive source who spoke to Life & Style, the Duchess of Sussex is brushing off the chatter with her eyes firmly set on a potential move to Los Angeles in 2025 for a better social fit.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry consider leaving Montecito amid claims of aloofness
The Sussexes, who relocated to their lavish nine-bedroom mansion on California’s picturesque Pacific coast in 2020 after stepping back from their royal duties, have found themselves at odds with the tight-knit Montecito crowd.
The documentary singles out Markle as being particularly aloof, with local columnist Richard Mineards saying, “I personally don’t think that Markle is an asset to our community. She doesn’t really go out or get involved with the community.”
Markle, however, is reportedly unfazed by the criticism. “She’s saying these accusations are absurd,” an insider revealed, insisting that Markle is far from a recluse.
“She’s plenty social, with friends at the Polo Club and a very exclusive group of other celebs and Hollywood types that they hang around.”
That said, the constant gossip has made things uncomfortable. “Of course, that doesn’t mean it’s not uncomfortable to get bashed by these busybodies,” the source admitted.
“Meghan still loves Montecito—she always says how gorgeous it is—but the neighborhood vibe isn’t totally her speed.”
The ex-Royals eye Nashville social scene amid Portugal home purchase
The Sussexes’ aspirations for a more A-list social circle are no secret.
As reported earlier by Life & Style, Markle was reportedly thrilled with Harry’s budding bromance with country music star Jelly Roll, viewing it as a golden opportunity to expand their network.
“She’s now had her eyes opened to what they could be missing out on,” another source revealed.
“She’s not going to hitch her wagon to just anyone—she’s going to be choosy—but the fact is the country music world has changed a lot. There’s a lot more diversity and a whole lot of money and power and opportunity to do some social climbing in Nashville and the south, so why not take a swing at it?”
Beyond their potential southern adventures, the Sussexes are also making strides toward mending relations with the royal family.
They recently purchased a vacation home in Portugal, near where Princess Beatrice and her husband spend their summers, fueling speculation about a partial return to Europe.
Duke and Duchess of Sussex consider Malibu move to align with Hollywood’s social pulse in 2025
Despite Montecito’s natural beauty, its small-town vibe doesn’t entirely align with Meghan Markle's social aspirations.
“[Montecito] is actually a vacation spot for a lot of people from LA, so a lot of Markle's friends there aren’t around full-time,” the first source noted.
The solution? A move closer to the heart of Hollywood.
“Moving closer to the city, maybe even the outskirts of Malibu where they could still have a big property with privacy but also be closer to the action and the movers and shakers is discussed a lot,” the insider shared.
Los Angeles, with its dynamic social scene and endless networking opportunities, could be the perfect fit for Markle and Harry.
As the source put it, “She thrives in community with like-minded people,” making a 2025 move a strong possibility.
