Meghan Markle Seen as ‘New Money’ by Frustrated Montecito Residents: Expert

Many Montecito residents still haven’t welcomed their royal neighbors with open arms.

Kinsey Schofield, host of the podcast To Di For Daily, told Fox News Digital that locals are angry that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have thrown their opulent waterfront home out of the spotlight.

The Californian city was described by many as neighborly and quiet before the Duke and Duchess of Sussex put down roots in 2020.

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Montecito residents tell me their disdain is primarily directed at Meghan because she exudes a ‘new money energy,’ Schofield said. “They don’t believe Harry and Meghan are financially literate.”

According to Schofield, neighbors think the couple’s entertainment “seems like desperation.” Duchess of Sussex The Netflix series, “With Love, Meghan,” premiere in March. Her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, is also expected to launch this year.

“It’s hard for the neighbors to understand why someone would turn their back on tiaras in search of Tupperware,” she said. “Selling pots and pans with the American Riviera Orchard logo just doesn’t compete with state visits by world leaders.”

Schofield’s comments came shortly after the harsh criticism Vanity Fair report says Meghan and Harry are being called “local villains” by neighbors.

A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment on the lengthy report.

“Neighbors find it hard to understand why anyone would turn their backs on tiaras in search of Tupperware. Selling pots and pans with the American Riviera Orchard logo just doesn’t compete with state visits from world leaders.”

— Kinsey Schofield, host of the To Di For Daily podcast

One Montecito resident, who never met the couple but spoke to the outlet, described the duo as a prince and a “starlet.” Meghan (43), a former American actress, became the Duchess of Sussex when she married the British prince (40) in 2018.

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Santa Barbara area locals they attributed many new annoyances to the couple, including increased housing prices and busy streets taken over by “out-of-towners.”

“According to several Montecito residents, Harry and Meghan are bringing negative, unwanted drama to their beautiful area,” British television presenter and photographer Helena Chard told Fox News Digital.

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“This noise is invading their once peaceful neighborhood,” Chard claims. “Montecito, once a hidden gem, is now on a pedestal because of Meghan and Harry’s celebrity connections. The unwanted attention has also highlighted Montecito’s other high-profile residents in Hollywood and is attracting a host of voyeurs to the area. They fill restaurants, hoping to catch a glimpse of Hollywood stars stars.”

Schofield said that despite the worldwide interest surrounding Montecito, thanks to Duke and Duchess of Sussex calling it home, the couple is rarely seen by locals or curious visitors.

“I combed through community newspapers and magazines in Montecito to see if Harry and Meghan were photographed at local charity events or mentioned for their contributions to the community,” Schofield said. “They’re just not. They’re considered introverts. Friendly, but not outgoing and attractive.”

Chard agreed with Schofield’s sentiments.

“Meghan and Harry are said to be self-contained at home and unfortunately not contributing to the community,” she said.

The source also told the paper that Harry reportedly has no social life.

“[Meghan] has been open about the fact that Harry hasn’t made many friends yet,” a source, who previously interacted with the Duchess professionally, told Vanity Fair.

Schofield claimed the pair were finding it increasingly difficult to win over local fans.

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“There’s no doubt that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle put Montecito on the map,” she said. “Yes, Oprah Winfrey and Katy Perry live there, but their presence is quiet. The paparazzi don’t usually drive 200 miles round trip to photograph them.

“Montecito is now mentioned every day thanks to Harry and Meghan’s presence. Harry also spoke of Orlando Bloom calling him to warn him about photographers lurking down the street. It changed the environment.”

Montecito has been home to several celebrities, including Natalie Portman, Jeff Bridges, Gwyneth Paltrow, Adam Levine, Leonardo DiCaprio and Michael Keaton. However, the neighborhood has seen many more tourists since Meghan and Harry arrived in 2020, anonymous residents told the outlet.

Montecito is also home to American Riviera Orchard, Meghan’s latest business venture. According to the publication, a book published in 1898 by the Southern Pacific Company rail lines states, “Montecito is known as the American Riviera.” However, that honor reportedly now belongs to Santa Barbara.

“It’s kind of bullshit,” the resident told Vanity Fair. “It’s just finding every possible way to monetize something.”

“I still think they are the most disingenuous and entitled people on the planet,” the resident added of the pair. “They moved out of England to escape press scrutiny, and all they’re doing is trying to get into the press in the United States.”

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been estranged from the royal family since stepping down as senior members. The couple said they were prompted to leave by intolerable intrusions and racist attitudes in the British press.

They have since made headlines for voicing their grievances.

After Winfrey described her struggles with royal life in a televised interview watched by nearly 50 million people worldwide, they launched their controversial Netflix docu-series, “Harry & Meghan,” in late 2022. Then, in early 2023. Harry’s memoir, “Spare,” was published.

Each launch highlighted new claims about their time as royals.

“When it comes to claims that they are ‘local villains,’ it depends on who you talk to,” royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told Fox News Digital. “They put Montecito on the international map because they moved there after stepping down as senior members of the royal family. It’s true that they hated the press they got in the UK, and in the US they mostly got good press.”

“However, that good press is changing as we’ve seen with Vanity Fair, The Cut and The Hollywood Reporter all publishing critical articles,” Fitzwilliams noted.

Chard believes that if the couple’s foundation, Archewell, “become a major contributor in the charity space,” they might finally get a stamp of approval from their no-nonsense neighbors.

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“It could change public perception,” she said. “I think one problem people have with Harry and Meghan is this idea that they’re cashing in on their relationship with the British royal family while not respecting them. They keep telling us how good they are, but so far they’ve done more harm than good. Archewell has to be a star. “

Royal expert Ian Pelham Turner has a different take. He believes the pair were unfairly convicted after fleeing to the UK.

This surveillance, he noted, will not stop soon.

“Harry and Meghan are rumored to be living the dream life,” he explained. “In my opinion, it’s quite the opposite. They’re in a perpetual nightmare, wondering which arrow or arrow will be driven into their family heart next.”

“In Montecito, residents complain that they are not doing anything for the community,” he said. “In reality, the couple live in a bunker world, constantly worrying about who to believe and what might be said about them.”