Meghan Markle Criticized By Montecito Locals For Being 'Distant' And Having A 'Controlled Image'

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's presence in Montecito has been met by mixed reactions from their neighbors, according to a new report.

Some locals view the Duke of Sussex as warm and approachable, while the Duchess of Sussex is seen as distant and "practically invisible."

Meghan Markle has shared glimpses of her local life, from fitness classes to school events, highlighting friendships with fellow moms and a desire for normalcy despite her public status.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's integration into their Montecito community has come under quiet criticism, with one local suggesting that the couple has kept a low profile since relocating to California following their royal exit in 2020.

According to the New York Post, Richard Mineards, a longtime journalist familiar with the area, described Harry as relatively more "approachable" than Meghan. He shared a story involving a local elderly historian who had hoped to personally deliver a documentary to the duchess.

"The old man never got past the gate," Mineards claimed, adding that Meghan "doesn't play the community game."

The journalist compared Meghan's approach to that of fellow Montecito resident Oprah Winfrey, who he noted is frequently seen supporting community and charity events.

Although Meghan lives in Montecito, Mineards said her presence is barely felt. "She's there, of course, but she shows herself very little. Her relationship with Montecito is … distant, shall we say," he noted.

He also pointed to the tightly managed nature of her public persona, saying the duchess has "cultivated a very controlled image" of herself and "pays attention to every appearance, every word, every gesture."

In contrast to Meghan, Mineards noted that the local perception of Harry is considerably more favorable.

He described the Duke of Sussex as warm and personable, stating: "Harry is always charming, approachable, with that very recognizable Windsor accent."

"He smiles, shakes hands, willingly exchanges a few words," Mineards added.

The journalist mentioned that Harry has been spotted casually enjoying the town "at the beach, in an organic coffee shop, or cycling in the hills."

"Harry has kept his good-natured side. We feel he is more at ease here, even with his personal struggles," he added.

Several Montecito residents echoed this view, noting that although the couple largely keeps to themselves, Harry tends to be the more visible and approachable of the two.

"I haven't seen Harry around much. Normally, when you see him around here, he's walking his Labrador on the beach or on his bicycle, followed by his security in a Range Rover," one neighbor observed.

Another resident remarked that Meghan appears noticeably more withdrawn in comparison to her more "jolly" husband.

Despite the criticisms, not all Montecito locals share the same perspective. Actress Sharon Stone offered a notably positive view of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex during a 2020 interview with Access Hollywood.

"You know, the thing about them that is so great is they didn't come here to live off of our community, they came here to be a part of our community," Stone said.

She recalled a lighthearted moment from a friend, stating: "My friend said she was sitting in her car and they bicycled across the street and waved at her while she was sitting at the red light."

"They're a part of our community, they've become a giving, caring, participating part of our community," the actress added.

During a chat with People Magazine, Meghan responded to criticism that her Netflix series, "With Love, Meghan," painted her as "out of touch."

Reflecting on the challenges of launching both the show and her lifestyle brand, As Ever, the duchess admitted, "I appreciate everyone who gave me the grace to make mistakes and figure it out and also to be forgiving with myself through that. It's a learning curve."

She  then highlighted how she and Harry strive for normalcy while raising their children, stating: "Once you know us, I think you want us to have the same normalcy as parents and for our children as they do, despite however unique our situation is."

The former "Suits" actress also revealed that she stays involved in her children's social lives, frequently texting with Archie and Lilibet's classmates' parents to arrange playdates over weekends and holidays.

Meghan added that Montecito has warmly welcomed her, Harry, and their two children, making them feel at home.

Speaking about her social circle, Meghan told People that she has built friendships with women who are not in the spotlight.

"I have a couple of girlfriends up here - these are stay-at-home moms and working women with normal jobs, not in the public eye," she shared. "We went from just connecting through our kids to having girls' nights out or doing Pilates together."

A parent from the school shared with the news outlet that her bond with Meghan began when the duchess reached out to arrange a playdate for their children.

At a birthday party, Meghan was described as relaxed and down-to-earth. "She was just fun and natural, chatting about mom stuff and life," the friend shared. "She was very comfortable just chilling."

When the friend's son underwent surgery, Meghan sent a bouquet of balloons and a stuffed octopus from her children. Attached was a sweet note that read, "We thought you could use a hug with eight arms."