Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's decision to leave Montecito, California, has been met with a notable lack of fanfare from their neighbors. Locals in the upscale community, known for its celebrity residents and privacy, expressed indifference and even relief at the royal couple's impending departure. Insiders suggest that actress Gwyneth Paltrow, a Montecito resident, is pleased by the move, partly to avoid comparisons between her lifestyle brand, Goop, and Meghan's brand, As Ever.
A number of Montecito residents told The Daily Mail that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex did not integrate into the community during their time there. "We don't really give a crap," said Vanessa Lynn, manager of a local women's boutique. "This used to be a nice sleepy little town, but when Harry and Meghan arrived, a bunch of people would come in hoping to see them. But Harry and Meghan didn't really assimilate into the community. We rarely saw them walking down the street or shopping in town. Visitors were usually disappointed."
Others echoed this sentiment, noting that the couple rarely appeared in local establishments. "They never really went out and about anywhere," said Debbie, a friend of Lynn's. "We all hoped they would support local shops and patronize local restaurants, but that rarely happened."
Despite some reports of a rift between Paltrow and Meghan, sources close to Paltrow indicated she is not unhappy about the Sussexes leaving. "Gwyneth didn't like being compared to Meghan, so she is glad she is moving out of Montecito," a source told The Daily Mail. The source added that Paltrow wishes them well and believes the move will allow Harry and Meghan to be closer to his family.
Some residents felt the constant media attention surrounding the Sussexes became tiresome. "Everything in Montecito was about Harry and Meghan this, Harry and Meghan that, and it got tiring, especially for the other stars who live there," one source said. Other notable Montecito residents include Oprah Winfrey, Katy Perry, and Ellen DeGeneres.
Harry and Meghan purchased their Montecito home in June 2020 for $14.65 million. The property is now estimated to be worth significantly more. However, local estate agent Cathy O'Neill believes their departure will not affect property values, stating, "Oprah put this town on the map when she moved here, and others followed. Harry and Meghan coming or going won't make any difference."
Many locals expressed surprise that the couple chose Montecito in the first place, citing a significant cultural difference from the UK. "It's a huge cultural difference from England. He can't just go out to the pub. It's isolating here," said Stephanie Taylor, a saleswoman in a high-end boutique.
While many residents appeared unfazed, some staff at restaurants the couple occasionally frequented expressed that they would miss their patronage. Brett Sanderson, manager of Lucky's Steakhouse, where the Sussexes have dined, said, "We'll miss them. We love them."
However, the overarching sentiment from the community suggests that life in Montecito will continue much as before, with the departure of its most famous recent residents barely altering the town's quiet rhythm. As one resident put it, "Nothing will change here, life will go on."