Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reportedly "stormed out" of a Montecito bar after being told they would need to join a waiting list for a table, according to a staff member at the California establishment.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are potentially facing a return to the upmarket coastal community next month, just weeks after relocating back to Britain. Meghan is expected to attend the Daytime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on October 30, where her Netflix lifestyle series With Love, Meghan has received a nomination in the Outstanding Lifestyle Series category.
Alleged incident at Honor Bar
A waitress at the town's Honor Bar alleged that Harry and Meghan visited the establishment just once shortly after relocating to the area in 2020. She said they were requested to add their names to a waiting list like any other patrons. "Everyone is treated the same here," the staff member said.
But she alleged the pair became frustrated at having to wait. "They got angry and said they shouldn't have to wait. Then they left and never came back," she said. According to the waitress, the couple subsequently ordered food for collection, which was picked up by one of their employees.
Local perceptions in Montecito
The story is part of a collection of allegations from Montecito locals and those acquainted with the area regarding the lives of the Sussexes in the exclusive California enclave. Harry and Meghan relocated to a nine-bedroom, 16-bathroom mansion in Montecito in 2020 following their decision to step down from senior royal roles. The sprawling estate, situated on extensive private grounds, has served as the pair's primary American residence and sits near homes owned by several high-profile celebrities, including Oprah Winfrey.
Ciara Curtis, 52, a local finance professional, alleged that the Sussexes have maintained their distance from the broader neighbourhood since their arrival. She recounted how one resident, known only as Susan, had left a bottle of regional wine along with a personal handwritten message for the duo via their security personnel. According to Curtis, both the bottle and the unopened letter were delivered back to the neighbour's front door the next morning.
"They could have easily given away the bottle of wine to a member of their staff and written a two-paragraph 'thank you' note back to Susan," Curtis said. "But the thoughtless act of brushing aside a small act of kindness set the tone for how they behaved and how they were perceived after that."
Celebrity neighbours and community ties
Additional locals mentioned they seldom spotted Harry and Meghan out and about, despite residing amongst numerous A-list stars. Marc Atwell, 42, suggested he doubted many would be bothered if the Sussexes weren't living in Montecito on a permanent basis. He highlighted the presence of other celebrity neighbours in the vicinity, including Oprah Winfrey, Kevin Costner, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Aniston, noting that many had taken part in local activities or backed community initiatives. "Harry and Meghan made it clear right from the get-go that they didn't want to do anything like that," he claimed.
Laura Atwell, Marc's wife, said she was taken aback that the pair might head back to Montecito so quickly after relocating to Britain. She hinted that Meghan could possibly join the awards ceremony virtually if she scoops a prize, considering that the couple's youngsters have just begun at a fresh school in England. Laura also revealed that the duo's arrival had initially triggered a surge of snappers and reporters descending on the neighbourhood. She alleged that officers had continuously instructed media personnel to clear off from the Sussexes' residence.
The pair's widely-reported relocation to Montecito first put them in touch with numerous Tinseltown personalities. Harry and Meghan were snapped at a charity bash thrown by Kevin Costner and joined social events featuring stars such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Katy Perry. They have also stayed tight with Oprah Winfrey, whose mansion sits close by.
Bruce Johnston, an 84-year-old ex-Beach Boys member who resides near the Sussexes, has also gone public about the duo. Johnston recently branded Harry a "jerk" and hinted the prince might have headed back to Britain to say sorry to his sibling, Prince William. He revealed he had spotted Harry and Meghan just once in Montecito's high street, when they were seated in the rear of a vehicle. "I was scared, however, when I saw their bodyguards with guns filling up their car with gas," Johnston said.
The Sussexes' reported return to Britain has sparked fresh focus on their future in the US and their connections to Montecito. Their October plans remain centred on the Daytime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, where With Love, Meghan has secured a nomination. The programme, which sees Meghan sharing recipes, hosting ideas and lifestyle advice, was released on Netflix in March 2025.
