According to an insider, Meghan Markle has decided that being closer to Los Angeles will make life easier, with the Duchess keen to leave Montecito behind as she feels too cut off from the social scene in Hollywood. She wants to be much more tapped in because that's when the deals really happen, the insider added. This reported desire follows Netflix recently cutting ties with Meghan Markle's lifestyle brand, As Ever, though both parties issued positive statements about the partnership.
Reasons cited for the potential move include significant time wasted commuting and Montecito's status as a vacation spot rather than a year-round hub for industry power players. According to a source, Meghan is sick of having to lose four hours of her day in the car when she has meetings or appointments. An insider noted that Montecito is just a vacation spot for most power players in the business, and they leave their homes there empty most of the year, which may limit networking opportunities.
She's sick of having to lose four hours of her day in the car when she has meetings or appointments, and the fact that their neighbours continue to trash-talk them doesn't exactly make her feel welcome.
This isolation reportedly compounds frustrations, as the couple's life in California since 2020 has involved building a family in a relatively remote setting compared to the bustling entertainment centers of Los Angeles. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle moved to California with their son Archie, who was less than a year-old at the time, and have lived there since 2020. They moved into their Montecito home with their son before welcoming their daughter the following year, according to multiple reports.
The couple are proud parents of Prince Archie, six, and four-year-old Princess Lilibet, and their family life has been a central focus since relocating from the UK. This context underscores how their initial move was driven by a desire for privacy and a fresh start, but evolving professional ambitions may now be prompting a reassessment of their residential location. Neighbors' alleged avoidance and criticism of the couple have added to the reported impetus for a move, with claims that they are viewed as 'takers' with zero self-awareness.
Meghan’s passion for elevating everyday moments in beautiful yet simple ways inspired the creation of the As Ever brand, and we are glad to have played a role in bringing that vision to life.
According to Kinsey Schofield, some of the neighbors say they don't hate them, they just avoid them. Page Six reported last month that the royal couple's neighbors are avoiding them, and that no one wants to be seen with them, with the outlet claiming it's not hate, but just a growing awareness that they're takers with zero self-awareness, and everyone's exhausted by them. Reports suggest that the surrounding neighbors are not impressed with having to live near the former working royals, creating a potentially unwelcoming environment that contrasts with the couple's earlier hopes for community integration.
Specific accusations from neighbors include borrowing vacation homes and jets, with relationships described as one-sided and focused on financial gain. According to Kinsey Schofield, they have been accused of asking to borrow people's vacation homes and asking to borrow their jets. She added that their relationships seem very one-sided and they're focused on what they can get from other people and how they can take the financial burden off of themselves.
I wanted to protect that safe haven. We're a close-knit family, and I love those moments - putting Lili down for a nap, having lunch together, having sacred time together at the end of the day. Our kitchen is where mama just cooks for the family, and with a crew of 80-plus people, that’s a lot of people to have in your house!
These allegations, if accurate, could strain social ties in Montecito, though their veracity remains unclear given conflicting accounts from different sources. Contradictory reports paint a very different picture, asserting that the couple have great relationships with neighbors and no plans to move. Page Six has portrayed a very different picture and said that, according to a source close to the Sussexes, the couple have a great relationship with the people living near them.
The couple are said to have no plans to move out of their Montecito mansion, according to a source close to the Sussexes. As well as being surrounded by close friends - such as Oprah Winfrey - Archie and Lilibet are both enrolled in schools close to their home, suggesting deep roots in the community that might discourage relocation. Financial constraints may also play a role, as the couple are reportedly not in a financial position to run two massive households so they need to make a choice, according to a source.
Some of the neighbours say they don't hate them, they just avoid them.
This limitation could force a decision between maintaining their Montecito property and acquiring a new residence closer to Los Angeles, rather than expanding their portfolio. The specific financial situation of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle that allegedly prevents them from running two massive households remains unknown, adding uncertainty to their real estate options. Such constraints highlight the practical challenges of balancing lifestyle aspirations with economic realities in high-cost areas like Southern California.
Potential new locations under consideration include Brentwood, Bel Air, New York, Malibu, and Calabasas, with the latter offering a possible connection to Kris Jenner. Meghan Markle would love to get a second place in Brentwood or Bel Air like a lot of her friends have, according to a source, and she would love to expand her property portfolio in New York. She is open to Malibu if Prince Harry still wants the beach life, a source noted, and has said Calabasas could be a great fit, not least because they could live in the same neighborhood as Kris Jenner, and she'd really love to repair that relationship.
No one wants to be seen with them. It’s just a growing awareness that they’re takers with zero self-awareness. Everyone’s exhausted by them.
The current status of Meghan Markle's relationship with Kris Jenner and whether repairing it is a genuine motivation for considering a move to Calabasas is unknown, but it suggests strategic social calculations in location choices. Privacy and family life remain paramount, with a firm decision to not allow filming in their nine-bedroom property and a clear separation between home and work. According to Meghan Markle, they like to separate their home life and work life, especially with two young children at home, she revealed in an interview with PEOPLE last year.
The couple are known to be extremely protective of their children, reinforcing their commitment to maintaining a private domestic sphere despite public careers. A recent public appearance highlighted this separation, as the couple made a virtual appearance at the 57th Annual NAACP Image Awards to present the NAACP-Archewell Digital Civil Rights Award on behalf of their foundation, Archewell Philanthropies. The short clip from the NAACP Image Awards was reportedly not filmed at their mansion, despite the filming taking place in their hometown, underscoring their preference to keep work engagements distinct from their personal space.
I think takers is the key word. They've been accused of asking to borrow people's vacation homes [and] asking to borrow their jets. Their relationships seem very one-sided and they're focused on what they can get from other people and how they can take the financial burden off of themselves...
This choice aligns with their broader approach to shielding family life from media intrusion, even as they engage in philanthropic and public activities. Implications of the reported move considerations include uncertainty over the final decision and financial situation, which could impact Hollywood deal-making opportunities. Whether Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have actually decided to move from their Montecito mansion or are just considering it remains unclear, with conflicting sources offering opposing views.
A potential relocation closer to Los Angeles might facilitate more frequent networking and business interactions, potentially offsetting the recent loss of the Netflix brand partnership. However, any move would need to balance professional advantages with the family's need for stability and privacy, especially given their young children's school enrollments and community ties. Key unknowns persist, including the veracity of neighbor claims, the reasons behind Netflix cutting ties with As Ever beyond official statements, and actual move plans.
The exact reasons behind Netflix cutting ties with Meghan Markle's lifestyle brand, As Ever, beyond the official statements provided, are not publicly detailed, leaving room for speculation about business dynamics. Similarly, the accuracy of reports that neighbors are avoiding Prince Harry and Meghan Markle is contested, with some sources describing harmonious relationships while others allege avoidance and criticism. These uncertainties complicate assessments of the couple's social integration and motivations for a potential move, highlighting the speculative nature of much coverage about their private lives.