What's Really Going On With Harry And Meghan's Neighbors?

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have been a controversial couple ever since their 2018 wedding at St. George's Chapel. Opinions about Prince Harry and Meghan depend on location; U.K. folks seem to be more critical of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex than the pond's American side. But ever since the royal couple moved to Santa Barbara, there have been rumors that Harry and Meghan's Montecito neighbors aren't happy. Over the last year, there have been tabloid stories alleging that the couple's neighbors claim the royal couple is the "worst," per Gossip Cop. Are the stories about Harry and Meghan's neighbors true?

Well, after the former royals' March 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, senior members of the royal family are reportedly angry with the couple (especially Harry) for spilling the family tea on TV. At the time, a source told People that Harry's dad, Prince Charles, was "enormously let down" by the claims of racism within the royal family that the couple shared with Oprah.

So, British media and the Windsor Castle crowd are upset with Harry and Meghan. But what about the couple's neighbors? The royal-obsessed team at Nicki Swift has done some digging, so you don't have to. Keep reading to find out more.

Since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle moved to the United States with their son, Archie, they appear to be much happier. The royal couple will welcome a baby girl to their family soon, and many reports indicate that they are living their best life in Santa Barbara. But the stories about Harry and Meghan behaving badly toward their Montecito neighbors keep popping up.

Actor Rob Lowe talked to E! News about neighbors Meghan and Harry, saying the couple lives "over the fence" from him. According to Lowe, the royal couple "keep a low profile." Overall, the report the "9-1-1 Lone Star" actor gave was pretty mild. Lowe said, "Now that the royals are here: The good news is property values go up, the bad news is the line is longer at Starbucks." Many reports about neighbors hating on Meghan and Harry, meanwhile, appear to come from less reliable tabloids or anonymous sources. It also appears that some British tabloids twist comments in a negative way. For example, Lowe's interview about the couple was not negative, but some British media spun it differently.

One of the American sources of the "bad neighbor" rumors is an August 2020 story from TMZ. The outlet reported that the royal couple's Montecito neighbors weren't angry at Harry and Meghan; they were annoyed by "the influx of paparazzi on the hunt for the shot." But as Gossip Cop pointed out, that's not exactly Harry and Meghan's fault.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Montecito neighborhood is fancy, with many famous neighbors. From our sleuthing, we believe the negative stories about Harry and Meghan aren't true. The royal couple's neighbors appear to like them. It seems those who actually know Meghan and Harry report they are down-to-earth and nice.

Ellen DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi, are the royal couple's neighbors, and Orlando Bloom and Katy Perry live next door. In an interview on Dax Shepard's "Armchair Expert" podcast, Harry said he and Bloom are "in contact because of the paparazzi." Hello! also reported in May 2021 that the royal couple has struck up a friendship with Bloom and Perry, as both couples have young children. DeGeneres, meanwhile, met Harry and Meghan before they moved to America. The talk show host told her audience in 2019 (via Town and Country), "They're the cutest couple, and so down-to-earth. I just, I hate it. I see them get attacked, and it's just not fair. They're just two of the most down-to-earth, compassionate people."

TMZ summed up the negative stories about their Montecito neighbors best, emphasizing that it was the paparazzi that people were angry about. But the outlet believes that take is overblown. As TMZ reported, "Locals say it's been a high-society town long before the royals came knocking."

Although Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are keeping a low-profile in Montecito, California, their neighbors are concerned about the location of their house as fire season gets closer. Montecito Fire Public Information Officer Christina Favuzzi told The Sun that the couple should have plans in place should they need to evacuate.

"We are facing concerning conditions in terms of record-low fuel moistures and predicted weather patterns. Those factors could lead to a severe fire season," Favuzzi said. "On [Meghan and Harry's road] and in all areas of the Montecito Fire Protection District, we have been conducting extensive wildfire prevention work in order to educate, prepare and protect our community."

A source expressed their concerns over the dryness of the area, calling it a "tinder box." "The Sussexes' place is right in the firing line, unfortunately," they said. The insider added, "They live in the foothills of Montecito where there are hundreds of stands of eucalyptus that tend to explode because they're full of oil, rather than merely burn. A lot of people in our neighborhood are on edge, worried sick about how bad this fire season will be. It's just so dry, aside from all the rich people's lush lawns, of course."

It looks like Harry and Meghan's neighbors truly are concerned — about their safety.