Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's neighbour speaks out - saying he was turned away at their gates in Montecito

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the Invictus Games
-Credit: (Image: (Image: Getty))


Living next door to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Montecito, California, has sparked some interesting reactions from the neighbours. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, along with their two adorable children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, moved to the States after stepping down as senior working royals in 2020.

One neighbour, Frank McGinity, was reportedly left feeling a bit miffed after being turned away at the gates of the Sussexes' lavish home, stating firmly that "they're not interested" in being neighbours. The US Navy veteran had hoped to share some films he'd made about the history of the exclusive Californian enclave to help them settle in.

In his memoir Get Off Your Street, he recalls the rather curt encounter with the couple's security team. The 88 year old wrote: "The gate guy turned me away and wouldn't take the film, just saying 'they're not interested'. I was trying to be neighbourly. If they were interested in the neighbourhood I've got a lot of information."

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Frank was taken aback when he found out Meghan and Harry had decided to move into the Riven Rock Estate, noting that it usually attracts an older crowd, reports the Express.

He claimed: "It's surprising they came here. People are typically older. It's where the elephants come to die." He went on to tell the Montecito Journal: "We don't see them very much around here."

Another neighbour, Richard Mineards expressed his disappointment to The Telegraph about not seeing Harry and Meghan around, saying: "We're waiting for them" and that locals were "gnashing at the bit". Another local named Barry Maher shared with the Mirror his annoyance over the Sussexes' "travelling soap opera". He pointed out their residence in a "considerably pricier spot" and the fact that they are hardly ever seen by neighbours.

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Discussing the significant costs associated with their luxurious £12 million Montecito home, real estate expert Eric Bramlett told Fabulous magazine, "Managing a £12 million ($14 million) mansion like Harry and Meghan's in Montecito takes a lot of work." He explained the need for numerous staff members such as housekeepers, a private chef, and security. "Just paying the staff salaries, utilities, landscaping, maintenance, security, and more could easily cost hundreds of thousands per year."

OK! has contacted the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's representative for comment.