In a surprising turn of events, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have reportedly rebuffed a well-intentioned gesture from a military veteran neighbor in Montecito, California. The incident has stirred up controversy, raising questions about the royal couple's approach to their new community.
Frank McGinty, an 88-year-old navy veteran, detailed the incident in his memoir, "Get Off Your Street." According to McGinty, he attempted to welcome the royal couple to the neighborhood by offering them a series of homemade films about the unique history of the area. However, his goodwill gesture was met with an unexpected response.
"I have a big house next to Harry and Meghan’s property and I live in the guest house while renting the main house out on Airbnb," McGinty wrote in his memoir. "I went up to their gate with the films on a CD, but they weren’t interested."
McGinty's account suggests that the couple's security team turned him away at the gate, refusing to accept the films. "The gate guy turned me away and wouldn’t take the film, just saying ‘They’re not interested,'" he explained. "I was trying to be neighborly."
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex moved to their $14 million mansion in Montecito in 2020, following their decision to step back from their royal duties. The couple, along with their two children, Archie and Lilibet, reside in the sprawling property, which boasts nine bedrooms and 16 bathrooms.
Despite their high-profile status, the couple's presence in the neighborhood has been relatively low-key. "We don’t see them very much around here," McGinty noted. "It’s surprising they came here. People are typically older. It’s where the elephants come to die."
Rumors have been circulating that the royal couple may be considering a move from Montecito to another upscale locale. According to sources, Harry and Meghan have been exploring Malibu as a potential new home. "Harry and Meghan are reviewing their living options with Malibu being a place of interest," a source revealed. "They have secretly visited the area a couple of times and have been out and about, looking at what’s there."
The incident with McGinty has added another layer to the ongoing narrative surrounding the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's life in the United States. As they continue to navigate their post-royal life, their interactions with their local community will undoubtedly remain under scrutiny.