Royal expert shares wealthy neighbors unimpressed by Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's 'traveling soap opera'

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's move to Montecito, California, was met with indifference from affluent neighbors, according to a royal expert
PUBLISHED JAN 11, 2024
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's wealthy neighbors are reportedly annoyed by their traveling soap opera (Getty Images)
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's wealthy neighbors are reportedly annoyed by their traveling soap opera (Getty Images)

MONTECITO, CALIFORNIA: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle moved out of the opulent palace gates to live in the upscale community of Montecito, California. The two make professional use of their royal titles in the United States, but their affluent neighbors in Sussexes are indifferent to their status.

The Sussexes had a challenging 2023 with their inclusion on The Hollywood Reporter's "biggest losers of 2023" list and their title as a 'Hollywood Flop' by the Wall Street Journal. Their popularity declined as a result of the bad publicity.

Moreover, Meghan purportedly wants "to correct the impressions" after the catastrophe that resulted from Omid Scobie's royal account 'Endgame' being translated into Dutch.

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - FEBRUARY 13:  Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend a reception for young peop
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle moved out of the opulent palace gates to live in the upscale community of Montecito, California (Getty Images)

'Everyone is either unimpressed by the traveling soap opera or is just sick of hearing about them'

Speaking about the Sussexes' affluent status, royal expert Barry Maher told one publication that Harry and Meghan "live down the street but in a considerably pricier spot, though nobody around here is exactly living in cardboard boxes."

"Since we never see them, local tolerance seems to mirror USA tolerance in general. People who like them seem to have an unlimited tolerance, no matter what they do," Maher added, per The Royal Observer.

Maher continued, "Everyone else is either unimpressed by the traveling soap opera or is just sick of hearing about them."

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attend the pre-closing ceremony of the Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023 at Merkur Spiel-Arena on September 16, 2023 in Duesseldorf, Germany. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation)
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's affluent neighbors in Sussexes are indifferent to their status (Chris Jackson/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation)

As previously reported by OK! Magazine, the exclusive Montecito community did not find Omid Scobie's new book 'Endgame' about the royal family to be particularly well-received.

American commentator Kinsey Schofield stated, "Montecito bookstores are refusing. I shouldn't say refusing. There's just no interest in Endgame."

"This is from The Times my friend Keirnan Southern breaking this story that Montecito bookstores are not covering Endgame."

Schofield continued, saying: "Montecito neighbors are uninterested and appalled by the way that Harry and Meghan are not respecting their elders, and it seems like they're being very cruel toward their family members."

"So a lot of the neighborhood's saying they are uninterested in the Sussexes and don't respect them or appreciate the way that they've treated their family."

Harry and Meghan are rumored to be house hunting in Malibu, California

Apart from their diminishing fame, the pair were rumored to be looking for a home in Malibu, California, which is home to A-list celebrities like Miley Cyrus, Halle Berry, and Beyonce.

After losing their rewarding Spotify agreement, the pair would find it simpler to engage with industry executives because Malibu is located in Los Angeles County.

An insider told a publication, "Making use of a small apartment in Kensington Palace from time to time isn’t out of the question, but when it comes to a home in the U.K., they will purchase that themselves."

"There is a divide between the couple on this issue but they will soon start looking for a property of their own near London and Harry is very much leading this," the insider added.

ROTORUA, NEW ZEALAND - OCTOBER 31: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visit
Harry and Meghan are rumored to be house hunting in Malibu, California (Getty Images)

'Americans eat up the soap opera element of all things royal'

Although 'The Crown' highlights Americans' interest in the monarchy, it appears that Americans do not follow Meghan and Harry's life with the same enthusiasm.

"Americans do eat up the soap opera element of all things royal," Schofield remarked. "That's why Princess Diana was a queen here in the States because of that soap opera element, the gossipy element that she attracted."

"However, in Montecito, you know, it seems like Harry and Meghan's star has fallen quite a bit," she said.

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