Former neighbours of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Montecito, California, have given their account of what it was like to live near the royal couple. The Sussexes have made their long awaited return to the UK, having spent the last few years raising their two young children in the wealthy Santa Barbara town.
Neighbours' accounts of the couple
It came after they stepped back as senior royals in early 2020, aiming to become financially independent. The relationship between the Sussexes and the Palace is said to have been frosty in recent years following the couple's previous criticism of the inner workings of the firm, and speculation now surrounds whether Harry will seek to patch things up with his older brother and heir-to-the-throne Prince William.
Following their departure from the United States as a full-time base, The MailOnline said one local told them the pair "never became part of the community". She claimed she left a bottle of wine outside their home as a welcome present only to have it returned to her unopened the day after.
Community reactions and business owner's view
It has been suggested that Harry and Meghan only wanted to "hang out" with people who were billionaires, famous or both. Another neighbour spoke to the website, claiming they left abruptly with no moving lorries or any sort of party.
Wendy Foster, a business owner who runs an upmarket boutique Meghan is thought to be fond of, was sympathetic towards the family's decision to return to Britain, suggesting that their titles don't give them much clout Stateside. She said Meghan was invariably "very polite".
Property and future plans
It's understood that the Sussexes haven't sold their Montecito property, and at least for the time being are hanging on to it as a base in the US. Since 2020, speculation has swirled over when and if Harry would one day return to live in Britain and put alleged rows with the Palace behind him.
Only last week, it was reported that the Sussexes would be making a surprise return to Britain, with their two children enrolling in schools here, though they wouldn't be returning to frontline royal duties. They have since arrived back in the UK.
Despite the reported rift between the Royal Family and Harry and Meghan following their departure, the Duke has made short trips to see the King, who is undergoing cancer treatment, and visited him with Meghan and their children in July.
