Meghan Markle and Prince Harry‘s circle keeps getting smaller by the minute!
The royal couple is reportedly not on friendly terms with their neighbors in their exclusive residential area of Montecito, California, as they try to find the next course forward for her lifestyle brand.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry moved to California in 2020, leaving behind their senior roles in the royal family in the United Kingdom to start afresh, thanks to their fruitful partnership with Netflix.
Meghan Markle And Prince Harry Are Reportedly Being Given The Cold Shoulder In Montecito
A source close to the couple’s neighborhood claimed that everyone in their area is avoiding them and does not want to be seen with the family. Insiders claimed that while the obvious reason may be because of the scathing articles about the couple, it is actually a much-layered development that has been taking place over the years. According to the source, what they feel for the couple is not hate, it is just a “growing awareness” that the couple is takers with no self-awareness, and everyone has gotten very tired of them.
However, another source disputed the information, claiming that the couple has a great relationship with their neighbors and appreciates the community. “They have settled into the quiet privacy of their community since their arrival and hope that this will be respected for their neighbors, as well as them, for a family,” an insider added, according to Page Six.
Meghan and Harry purchased the $14.65 million property in Montecito after they moved to California six years ago. The couple often shared adorable pictures of their kids from their garden in the sprawling estate, as recent as last week, when she announced her new $255 luxury flower boxes from her “As Ever” brand.
Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos Quietly Unfollowed The Duchess
After announcing the end of their collaboration with “As Ever” earlier in the month, the streaming giant’s CEO took things a step further by unfollowing the actress and her brand on Instagram. As reported by The Blast, Netflix’s Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria was also rumored to have pulled the same move.
This unfollowing spree raised fresh speculations about what truly went down behind the scenes, which led to them parting ways. Sarandos’ wife, Nicole, still follows the actress, although she also unfollowed the brand, but they remain friends off the web. Netflix’s CEO was among the first set of industry shot callers to give the actress a follow when she returned to social media early last year.
He equally followed her brand account, which earlier carried the name “American Riviera Orchard” at the time. More sources added that Sarandos and Bajaria had made some nasty remarks about Meghan and Harry behind closed doors, although the specific words being said were not disclosed.
Meghan Markle Dragged For Being Unapproachable By Montecito Neighbors
Last year, The Blast stated that the couple’s mission to become one with their Montecito community came under heavy criticism from locals who had an issue with Meghan’s personality. According to Richard Mineards from the New York Post, Harry has proven himself to be more approachable over the years compared to Meghan, who does not play the community game.
He referred to an instance where an elderly historian who was looking forward to personally delivering a documentary to the Netflix star could not make a journey past the couple’s gate. Meghan and Harry’s neighborhood is also home to a few celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Katy Perry, Ellen DeGeneres, Portia de Rossi, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ariana Grande, and Jennifer Aniston.
Mineards revealed that, unlike Meghan, Oprah often joined the community at charity events. The journalist continued that Meghan’s carefully curated public persona has also added to the way she relates with her environment because she now pays attention to every appearance, every gesture, and every word she speaks.
The Doting Mom Wants Normalcy For Her Kids
Last year, the former actress admitted some truths in an interview, responding to circulating claims that she was out of touch. She confessed that she was glad for people sticking with her while she tried to figure out her brand and grow through the experience, which she described as a learning curve. She also noted that part of her endeavors is striving for her children to experience normalcy while raising them.
In her words, “Once you know us, I think you want us to have the same normalcy as parents and for our children as they do, despite however unique our situation is.” Meghan continued that she stays involved in her children’s social lives by texting the parents of her children’s classmates frequently to arrange playdates over the weekends and holidays.
The lifestyle brand owner also raved during the interview that Montecito has warmly welcomed her and her family, making them feel welcome. She also spoke about her social circle, revealing that she has girlfriends who work normal jobs and are not in the spotlight like her, but they find time to connect through their kids and engage in other activities.
Why Meghan Markle Did Not Film Her Netflix Project At Her Montecito Home
The former working royal was meticulous with the production of her Netflix lifestyle series as she decided to exclude her home from the filming environment. Instead, she chose the kitchen of her neighbors and philanthropist, Thomas and Sherrie Cipolla, who live just two miles away from their $14 million mansion.
Meghan explained that her reason for not filming inside her home was that she did not want her children to feel overwhelmed by the constant presence of a large production crew. According to her, “It’s like, well, my kids are coming home for their nap, and 80 people in the kitchen isn’t really the childhood memory I would love for them to have.”
She tagged herself as fortunate to find a better alternative with the Cipollas and their stunning property. The star’s lifestyle show featured appearances from several celebrities like Roy Choi, Mindy Kaling, Alice Waters, and Abigail Spencer.
What will be the next rumor about Meghan Markle and Prince Harry?
