Meghan Markle Criticized by Montecito Neighbors for Lack of Community Involvement

Meghan Markle has stirred up criticism from one of her Montecito, California, neighbors, Richard Mineards, who recently shared his thoughts with the Daily Mail. Mineards, who lives near the Duchess of Sussex, claimed she hasn’t integrated well into the local community. “She doesn’t really go out or get involved with the community,” he said.

Mineards had a slightly more favorable opinion of Prince Harry, describing him as “quite jolly,” though he noted that Harry is also rarely seen in the neighborhood.

This isn’t the first time the couple has faced criticism from their neighbors. In July 2023, Frank McGinity, an 88-year-old Navy veteran, revealed that he felt snubbed after attempting to share a documentary about the area with the couple. McGinity claimed he was turned away by their security team when he tried to deliver a CD to their door. “I was trying to be neighborly,” he shared, adding that Harry and Meghan’s absence in the community surprised him, as Montecito is typically favored by an older demographic.

The couple moved to Montecito in 2021 after stepping down as senior members of the British royal family. Their $14 million mansion boasts nine bedrooms, 16 bathrooms, a pool, a tea house, and expansive gardens. However, reports suggest Meghan prefers spending time with Hollywood friends like Ellen DeGeneres, Katy Perry, and Oprah Winfrey rather than mingling with local residents.

Meanwhile, Harry and Meghan continue to face challenges on both sides of the Atlantic. Recently, the royal family reportedly excluded the couple from their annual Christmas celebration in Sandringham, signaling lingering tensions since their departure from royal life.