‘GOOD RIDDANCE!’ — MONTECITO LOCALS TURN ON HARRY AND MEGHAN AS THEIR SURPRISE RETURN TO BRITAIN EXPOSES A DEEPER RIFT

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to return to Britain after six years in California has been met with a strikingly mixed reaction in Montecito — with some locals openly saying they will be relieved to see the Sussexes go. Other residents, however, have offered a more sympathetic view, suggesting the couple’s departure could simply mark the end of a chapter in their lives.

The couple moved to the exclusive California community in July 2020 after stepping away from royal duties. They established their new life there, launched Archewell and secured major commercial deals, while their Montecito mansion became the backdrop for a new chapter away from the Royal Family.

Now, Harry and Meghan are preparing to spend an extended period back in Britain with their children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five. They have reportedly secured a British home and school places for the children, although they are expected to retain their Montecito property.

Some Montecito residents say ‘good riddance’

For some people in the wealthy community, however, the news has been greeted with considerably less sentimentality.

Locals interviewed by The Sun criticized the couple for the attention surrounding them and claimed their presence had changed the atmosphere of the normally private community. One local resident bluntly described their departure as “Good riddance,” while another said the town had become exhausted by what they viewed as the couple’s entitlement and ongoing drama.

Jennifer, who previously worked at a store in the Montecito Country Mart where Meghan has been seen shopping, also criticized the Duchess’s business ventures.

She claimed that some of the ideas associated with Meghan’s Netflix projects and As Ever had come from other people in the community. Jennifer said she felt sorry for the couple but believed they had isolated themselves and expressed concern about what their future might look like.

Another local retail worker was equally blunt, saying they were pleased to see the Sussexes leave.

The resident particularly objected to Meghan’s comments about Butterfly Beach, saying the attention surrounding the location had made it more difficult to visit because of increased crowds and parking problems.

The worker also pointed to the couple’s security arrangements, arguing that other famous residents of Montecito were able to move around the community without the same level of protection.

Not everyone is celebrating their departure

The reaction, however, is far from universal.

Montecito has long been home to major celebrities, and some residents have defended Harry and Meghan or simply expressed indifference toward their move.

The Guardian reported that some locals appreciated the couple’s support for nearby businesses and Meghan’s decision to feature local locations on her Netflix series. One local public-relations representative even praised the couple for patronizing businesses in the area and said they would be welcomed back.

That more nuanced reaction is important because the Sussexes’ departure does not necessarily mean they are permanently abandoning California.

Reports indicate they intend to keep their Montecito property, meaning the family could continue spending time in the US even as Britain becomes a larger part of their lives.

Six years that changed dramatically

When Harry and Meghan first arrived in Montecito, their move represented a dramatic new beginning.

They had left royal life behind and appeared ready to build an independent future in America. Their California base became closely associated with major media projects, including their Netflix documentary series and Meghan’s later lifestyle programming.

But their commercial ambitions did not always develop as expected.

Their $100 million Netflix partnership was not renewed in the form originally anticipated, while their $20 million Spotify deal was cancelled. The couple also faced criticism following their highly publicized interviews, documentaries and Harry’s memoir Spare.

The fallout was particularly significant after their 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, filmed near their California home, in which they made a series of serious claims about life within the Royal Family.

Harry later revisited many aspects of his relationship with his family in Spare, including deeply personal details about his childhood, his experiences in the military and his relationships with other members of the Royal Family.

The disclosures generated intense international attention and further divided opinion about the Sussexes.

Their public image was later mocked in an episode of South Park, while Spotify executive Bill Simmons publicly criticized the couple after the end of their audio partnership.

Their American dream became increasingly complicated

Over time, Harry and Meghan appeared to move away from the initial strategy of building a purely Hollywood-based identity.

Their projects increasingly combined commercial ventures, lifestyle content and a version of public life that retained elements of their royal identity.

Meghan launched the As Ever brand, while the couple continued to undertake international appearances and projects.

Yet their relationship with the public remained complicated.

A YouGov poll cited by The Sun found that 21 per cent of respondents believed Harry and Meghan should return to Britain, compared with 33 per cent who said they should not. Forty-five per cent were unsure.

Among people aged over 65, opposition was considerably stronger, with 57 per cent saying they did not want the couple to return.

That means their return to Britain could prove just as complicated as their departure.

Britain now becomes the next chapter

Harry and Meghan’s return comes more than six years after they left Britain and stepped back from royal duties.

Their children are expected to attend school in Britain, while the family is reportedly preparing for an extended stay rather than a short visit.

The move could also give Archie and Lilibet more opportunities to spend time around members of their wider family and experience life in the country where their father was raised.

But the Sussexes will return to a Britain where opinions about them remain sharply divided.

For some, the move could represent a chance to reconnect with family and establish a different future. For others, it will reopen old arguments that have never truly disappeared.

And while some Montecito residents may genuinely be relieved to see the couple leave, the Sussexes are not necessarily saying goodbye to California for good.

After six years, the Montecito chapter may be changing — but whether Britain becomes Harry and Meghan’s true new home, or simply another stop in their increasingly complicated story, remains to be seen.