Meghan Markle hasn’t won over all her neighbours in the exclusive Montecito district where the Sussexes live – and one resident has delivered some brutal words about the Duchess
It’s been more than four years since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle moved into their Montecito mansion but they haven’t made a good impression on everyone in the area, according to one neighbour.
One of the fellow residents in the Sussexes’ exclusive Santa Barbara district spoke about the couple on the recent German documentary Harry – The Lost Prince.
Richard Mineards spoke about the expensive lifestyle the Sussexes enjoy, before going on to publicly criticise the Duchess. “I personally don’t think that Meghan is an asset to our community,” he stated. “She doesn’t really go out or get involved with the community. Harry has to a certain extent, because he’s quite jolly… but Meghan doesn’t seem to get seen anywhere… And you don’t see him either.”
Harry – The Lost Prince aired on the German ZDF network at the start of December. It was made by award-winning filmmaker Ulrike Grunewald, who spoke to the couple’s Montecito neighbours, royal experts and former acquaintances to explore Prince Harry’s struggles within the Royal Family and the Sussexes’ search for relevance following their exit from royal life in January 2020.
The documentary likely made for uncomfortable viewing for the couple, who are criticised for their “whinging” over the royal family, “only mixing with upper classes” on their “carefully orchestrated” foreign trips, and Meghan’s expensive tour wardrobes.
Days after the documentary aired, Harry and Meghan released their own show – Netflix’s Polo, which aimed to give fans a behind-the-scenes look at the elitist world of the sport.
Unfortunately for the couple, it has not been well received. Even The Cut, a magazine once favoured by Meghan, has seemingly turned against the Duchess with ascathing review in an article titled ‘Harry and Meghan’s Projects Can’t Stop Flopping’.
The couple are set to release another show on Netflix in the near future – a cookery and lifestyle show fronted by the Duchess. And the pressure is on with reports that the programme will be the couple’s “last chance” to salvage their Netflix deal.
Daily Mail columnist Alison Boshoff wrote in her column that “so much hangs on” Meghan’s culinary programme, particularly following the “apparent failure” of ‘Polo’ with a Californian source telling her: “It’s make or break. People say Netflix are exhausted.” The insider added: “It’s so much work with her and, bluntly, the ‘deliverable’ does not seem to be worth it.”
Another entertainment executive stated: “Her show will have to be an enormous hit to turn around their deal and their reputations in this town.”
