Meghan Markle, 43, and Prince Harry have found difficulty fitting in with their local community in Montecito, a local journalist has observed.
The royal couple moved to Meghan’s native California after stepping down and working royals in 2020.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have settled down in their £23.3 million ($29.6 million) mansion found in the exclusive Santa Barbara town, famed for its celebrity enclave.
Richard Mineards, an experienced journalist who writes for the local paper, has suggested Meghan “never tried to fit in" with those around her.
Meghan Markle is thought to hold a 'distant' relationship with her Montecito neighbours.
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He went on to observe that the 43-year-old has remained “practically invisible” to her neighbours with rare appearances outside their palatial compound beyond errands, exercise and the school run.
“She's there, of course, but she shows herself very little. Her relationship with Montecito is... distant, shall we say,” the veteran newsman told the Daily Mail.
Mineards explained that Montecito locals “appreciate simple people” which grated with Meghan’s desire to “cultivate a very controlled image” of herself.
“She pays attention to every appearance, every word, every gesture,” he explained.
A veteran local journalist has claimed the duchess seldom interacts with members of her community.
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The journalist compared her to celeb royalty and Meghan and Harry ally, Oprah Winfrey, who also lives in Montecito.
Mineards explained that the legendary chat show host regularly shows up at community events shunned by Meghan, who he claimed: “Doesn't play the community game.”
To demonstrate the difficulty the duchess has had connecting with her community, the veteran newsman recalled a well publicised anecdote from an elderly neighbour who had attempted to welcome the couple to the area.
He apparently wanted to "give her a documentary he had made on local history" but was snubbed during the attempt.
"The old man never got past the gate," Mineards remembered.
Meghan apparently refuses to 'play the community game' in Montecito.
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Prince Harry provided somewhat of a contrast to his wife, appearing to make an effort with their neighbours.
“Harry is always charming, approachable, with that very recognisable Windsor accent. He smiles, shakes hands, willingly exchanges a few words,” Mineards revealed.
The journalist said neighbours had seen the Duke of Sussex: “At the beach, in an organic coffee shop, or cycling in the hills.”
Even as he is constantly accompanied by his security detail, the largest in the town, Mineards felt that the prince was “more at ease here, even with his personal struggles”.
Prince Harry was conversely praised for sometimes interacting with his neighbours.
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“Harry has kept his good-natured side,” he observed.
Other neighbours of the Sussexes have also weighed in on their relationship with the rest of the community – with many mirroring Mineards’ observations.
“They keep themselves to themselves. I haven't seen Harry around much. Normally when you see him around here, he's walking his Labrador on the beach or on his bicycle followed by his security in a Range Rover,” one said, per the Daily Mail.
Another agreed, claiming that Meghan Duchess of Sussex is far more distant than her “jolly” husband - but added he is not particularly involved either.
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Meghan has also recently announced plans to 'step back' at her lifestyle brand, As Ever.
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One said they only saw Harry when he is speeds by on his bike, flanked by his security team.
The news comes as Meghan revealed her plans to "step back to assess" what her lifestyle brand As Ever had achieved in its first year.
She confirmed that new products will not go live until the first quarter of 2026 as she gathers data from the launch to determine the company's future direction.
The company, which launched earlier this year, faced backlash after products completely sold out in moments – leaving some customers with orders unfulfilled.
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