It’s been five years since Meghan Markle and Prince Harry dramatically stepped down from their royal duties and began a new chapter of life in the United States.

The couple relocated to Montecito, California — an affluent enclave known for its palatial estates, celebrity residents, and picturesque coastal charm.

For Meghan, who was raised in Los Angeles and once pursued a career in acting, Montecito likely seemed like the ideal place to reinvent herself among Hollywood’s elite.

Yet recent reports suggest that Meghan’s dream lifestyle may be crumbling behind the polished gates of Montecito.

According to insider accounts shared with the Daily Mail, the duchess has failed to win over her celebrity neighbors, some of whom allegedly mock her behind her back.

The whispers have grown loud enough to spark headlines — and add to Meghan’s growing public image woes.

“When the princess-thing didn’t work out, she reverted to the person she was when [Harry] found her,” one Montecito source claimed. “She’s trying to say she’s exceedingly normal, which she isn’t. It’s all very LA actress.”

The same insider noted, “It’s glaringly obvious she doesn’t get it. It proves people don’t really change and all along she just wanted to be an influencer and TV star.”

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry branded the ‘most entitled, disingenuous people on the planet’ by neighbours living in their exclusive Montecito neighborhood.

Locals have labelled the couple ‘the Prince and the starlet’ while slamming them as ‘entitled.’

One neighbor has… pic.twitter.com/gBHwhWNJ9X

— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) January 18, 2025

These comments paint a picture of someone out of step with the community she so clearly aspired to be part of.

While Montecito is no stranger to fame, its residents reportedly value discretion and authenticity — two traits Meghan’s critics accuse her of lacking.

This social setback comes at a time when Meghan’s public favorability is also slipping.

A recent poll found that only 41% of American adults have a positive view of her, while one in four actively dislikes her.

Even more telling, 17% of respondents said their opinion of Meghan has worsened since she and Harry moved to the U.S. in 2020.

Daily Mail columnist Maureen Callahan was blunt in her analysis: “If Harry thought his American wife was going to be Miss USA, he’s sorely mistaken. Remember those 2020 rumors about Meghan considering a run for the US Senate? PTA president would be a stretch now.”

Callahan added, “Frankly, I think it’s sad. These moneyed Montecitans whispering behind Meghan’s back must feel like a devastating blow to a woman who seems like she’s finding it impossible to fit in anywhere.”

'Meghan Markle’s popularity has hit an all-time low — now polling just above Prince Andrew.'

Cameron Walker breaks down the latest YouGov figures, Harry’s controversial BBC interview, and how William, Kate & Princess Anne remain the most admired royals. pic.twitter.com/FSmXP2YIvv

— GB News (@GBNEWS) May 14, 2025

The criticism doesn’t stop at America’s shores. Across the pond, Meghan’s image has taken a more severe hit.

A recent YouGov poll found that only 20% of U.K. adults now have a favorable view of her, compared to a whopping 65% who view her negatively.

Many royal watchers blame Meghan and Harry’s repeated public criticisms of the British royal family for their decline in popularity. Since leaving royal life in 2020, the couple has made headlines with high-profile interviews, documentaries, podcasts, and even Harry’s memoir, all of which have taken aim at the monarchy.

While initially these revelations sparked interest and sympathy — not to mention lucrative media deals — the long-term effects appear to be more damaging than beneficial.

Public perception seems to be shifting, with many feeling that the couple’s continued attacks on the royal institution are self-serving and tiresome.

Rather than forging a new, inspiring path as independent philanthropists and creators, Meghan and Harry are now seen by some as out-of-touch elites struggling to find a place to belong.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle allegedly denied a gift from their elderly neighbor in Montecito… pic.twitter.com/c8tu2oUkau

— What's Trending (@WhatsTrending) July 26, 2023

Their neighbors’ alleged ridicule only adds salt to the wound. Montecito, home to celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres, and Ariana Grande, is known for its quiet exclusivity.

The suggestion that Meghan is viewed as a social outcast in such a prestigious community only deepens the sense that her post-royal journey isn’t going quite as planned.

In the end, Meghan Markle finds herself facing a complex identity crisis. Once a rising actress, then a beloved duchess, and now a celebrity trying to find relevance and acceptance, her journey remains fraught with challenges.

Whether she can regain the public’s trust — and win over her neighbors — remains to be seen.

But as of now, the fairytale she hoped to write in Montecito is looking more like a cautionary tale.