Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle like to keep to themselves

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have been slammed for being ‘not interested’ in their local community by a neighbor who was snubbed by the couple’s security team

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s neighbors have revealed what it’s like to live next door to the couple in their California estate.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex moved to Montecito after stepping down from the Royal Family in 2020. They now live in America with their two children – Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

Local resident Frank McGinity received a chilly non-welcome when he tried to reach out to Meghan and Harry, explaining “they’re not interested” in forming local ties. The US Navy veteran revealed he attempted to offer his historical films about Montecito to ease their settling in, only to be dismissed by their security detail.

Frank made the claims in his memoir Get Off Your Street, which also delves into the historic mudslides that have plagued the region. The 88-year-old wrote: “The gate guy turned me away and wouldn’t take the film, just saying ‘they’re not interested’.

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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry 's new mansion
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry live in a mansion in California ( Image: Google)

“I was trying to be neighborly. If they were interested in the neighborhood I’ve got a lot of information.” Frank was stunned to learn that Meghan and Harry had chosen Montecito as their home, considering its more known as a retreat for the elderly than young families.

He stated: “It’s surprising they came here. People are typically older.” Offering a damning verdict on the area, he said: “It’s where the elephants come to die.”

In a chat with the Montecito Journal, he added: “We don’t see them very much around here.” Another neighbor, Barry Maher, previously aired his grievances to The Mirror about the Sussexes’ “traveling soap opera” and how they’ve picked a “considerably pricier spot” but are seldom seen in public.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex
The Sussexes aren’t close with their neighbors ( Image:Archewell Foundation via Getty Images)

An expert on property costs chimed in on what it takes to keep up Harry and Meghan’s swanky $14million home, implying that yearly upkeep must cost a small fortune. Eric Bramlett of Bramlett Residential broke it all down for Fabulous magazine, saying: “Managing a £12million [$14 million] mansion like Harry and Meghan’s in Montecito takes a lot of work.”

He explained you’d probably need 10-15 full-time staff, such as housekeepers, a personal chef, and security. On the steep expenses, Bramlett added: “Just paying the staff salaries, utilities, landscaping, maintenance, security, and more could easily cost hundreds of thousands per year.”