Meghan Markle & Harry ‘aren’t seen as A-listers in Montecito’ – their star is ‘on the wane, people have lost interest’
PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle may have swapped royal life to live in the celebrity neighborhood of Montecito but it allegedly hasn’t been all it’s cracked up to be.
According to royal author Tom Quinn, the Sussexes “hate that they aren’t seen as true A-listers” in the area, which is home to the likes of Oprah Winfrey and Jennifer Aniston.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex ditched royal life in 2020 to live in a £12million mansion with Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three, but it hasn’t been all plain-sailing.
Tom, author of revelatory new book Yes Ma'Am, The Secret Life of Royal Servants, exclusively told Fabulous: “The truth is that Meghan and Harry hate the idea that they aren’t seen as true A-listers in Montecito.
“They will have seen recent surveys published in the American press that claim the couple’s star is on the wane; that people have simply lost interest.”
The Sun previously spoke to a local in the area who said: “We leave Harry and Meghan be.
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“There are loads of famous people around here so no one bats an eyelid about two more rich people.”
While the Sussexes appeared to have had a successful run of securing lucrative projects for their new life, it hasn’t been a walk in the park.
Work struggles
The couple were blasted as "f****** grifters" by a Spotify chief after the £18m Archetypes podcast was axed.
The couple were dropped from the streaming giant following reports they did not meet "productivity requirements" by creating only 13 episodes in 31 months.
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Meanwhile, Prince Harry's recent Polo documentary was criticised for being “out-of-touch” and struggled to make Netflix's top ten in any market.
One executive allegedly told Meghan’s upcoming cookery show, With Love, Meghan - which was pushed back to March from January due to the LA fires - will need to be "an enormous hit" to turn their fortunes around.
The couple's five-year Netflix deal comes to an end in August next year.
Evidence of the couple’s waning popularity in the UK can be seen by the change in their Gov poll ratings.
In 2019, Harry was seen favourably by 71 per cent polled, and Meghan 49 per cent, however this slipped to 32 per cent and 19 per cent respectively by the end of 2024.
Friends lost
There have also been reports that Meghan and Harry have drifted from some of their new Hollywood pals.
The likes of Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry and George and Amal Clooney failed to share posts on their Instagrams about her new jam for her lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard.
Previous reports have described the Sussexes as “super-reclusive” in California, suggesting they do little but sit within the seven-acre grounds of their 16-bathroom home.
However, the owner of their nearby organic deli told the Sun: “They’re not exactly wandering around town all day, every day, but they do make an effort to mingle and be as normal as possible.
“Well, as normal as it’s possible to be with security in golf buggies driving around the perimeter of your home.”
Tom added: “Meghan and Harry have been open about wanting Archie and Lilibet to have as normal a childhood as possible – like Kate and William they’re determined to avoid the traditional Royal upbringing in which paid staff do all the work.
“But we should take ‘normal’ with a pinch of salt because Archie and Lilibet attend one of the most exclusive and expensive schools in Santa Barbara.
“Their fellow pupils include the offspring of some of Hollywood’s most famous stars.”
Harry reportedly doesn’t nip into the local hardware store or pharmacy for bits and pieces but on occasion has been spotted with his security detail when he's riding his bike, taking a walk, or heading out for lunch.
In the past the couple have enjoyed a “date night” at the town’s only Michelin-starred restaurant, Sushi/Bar.
The intimate space serves only ten diners at one time, offering a £109, 17-course Omakase tasting menu including otoro, kurodai, bluefin tessin, albacore tuna and scallops.
Carnivore Harry is a regular at Lucky’s steakhouse, and the couple have sat on an outdoor table on a double date with showbiz pals David Foster and Katherine McPhee.
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One waiter, who did not wish to be named, added: “They come here quite a bit, but we were asked not to discuss them or talk about them.
“We were also told not to talk to them, and that photos were not allowed. So they don’t get bothered whenever they come here.”
Inside Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Californian home
PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle have lived in their luxury Montecito mansion since they splashed out £11.93m on it in June 2020.
The sprawling nine-bed, 16-bath home in Santa Barbara sits on 5.4 acres of land and features a library, office, spa, gym, game room, wine cellar and five-car garage, it's believed.
The estate also boasts sweeping lawns, tiered rose gardens, tall Italian cypress trees, blooming lavender, olive trees, a tennis court, tea house, children's cottage and a pool.
The couple have treated fans to glimpses of their multiple living spaces on several occasions - showing off a minimalist vibe.
It is said to have more than doubled in value since the former royals bought it.