Former neighbours of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Montecito, California, have criticised the couple as “the gruesome twosome” following their sudden departure from the coastal town last month. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex ended their six-year self-imposed exile by flying back to live in Britain almost four weeks ago, but locals are already bracing for their return.
The couple are expected to jet across the Atlantic again next month to attend the Daytime Emmy Awards, where Meghan is a nominee in the Outstanding Lifestyle Series category for her Netflix show, With Love, Meghan. The ceremony takes place on the evening of October 30 at LA’s Hollywood Palladium Theatre.
Neighbours recall aloof behaviour
Ciara Curtis, 52, a financial manager who moved to Montecito forty years ago with her parents, said the couple made it clear they “really can’t be bothered with regular folk”. She recounted how a neighbour, identified only as Susan, left a bottle of local wine and a handwritten welcome note with a member of the couple’s security team. The inexpensive gift and unopened letter were left on Susan’s doorstep the following morning.
Curtis said: “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. 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.”
Local figures weigh in
Marc Atwell, 42, an advertising executive, said he did not think anyone would miss the couple being there full time. He noted that other celebrities in Montecito, including Oprah Winfrey, Kevin Costner, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Aniston, Ariana Grande and Katy Perry, all value their privacy but have joined in community events, unlike the Sussexes. His wife Laura, 42, a beautician, expressed surprise that the couple would return so soon, suggesting Meghan could arrange a video link to the awards ceremony.
Former Beach Boys singer Bruce Johnston, 84, who lives near the couple’s 7.5-acre estate, recently described Harry as a “jerk” in local headlines. He said: “No-one really knows why they left so suddenly – apart from Oprah. They were at her home all the time. I live opposite too and saw them.”
Reception at local bar
A waitress at Montecito’s most popular bar said the couple visited only once, became angry when asked to join a waiting list, and left without being seated. She recalled: “Everyone is treated the same here. Even if they aren’t celebrities a lot of people who live here are in the same tax bracket. But they got angry and said they shouldn’t have to wait.”
