Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Reportedly Called ‘Financially Illiterate’

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who settled in the affluent town of Montecito, California, in 2020, are reportedly not receiving a warm reception from their neighbors. According to claims made by Kinsey Schofield, host of the To Di For Daily podcast, locals have grown frustrated with the royal couple for bringing unwanted attention to their quiet, upscale community.

Speaking with Fox News Digital, Schofield alleged that much of the discontent is directed at Meghan Markle. “Montecito residents tell me that their disdain is primarily focused on Meghan because she gives off ‘new money energy,'” she said. “They don’t believe that Harry and Meghan are financially literate.”

Schofield added that the community struggles to understand the couple’s decision to trade royal life for ventures in the U.S. “Neighbors have a hard time processing why someone would turn their back on tiaras in pursuit of Tupperware,” she remarked. “Selling pots and pans with an American Riviera Orchard logo on it just does not compete with state visits with world leaders.”

These remarks follow a report from Vanity Fair that claimed the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been labeled “local villains” by some Montecito residents. While the couple initially appeared to embrace their new California lifestyle, these reports suggest that not all neighbors have welcomed the global spotlight the royal pair brings to the serene coastal town.

Despite these criticisms, Harry and Meghan have largely kept a low profile in Montecito, focusing on their family and business ventures. They purchased their $14.7 million home shortly after stepping back from royal duties, citing a desire for privacy and independence.

The couple’s endeavors since their move to the U.S. have included deals with Netflix and Spotify, philanthropy through their Archewell Foundation, and Harry’s memoir Spare. However, the scrutiny of their choices—both personal and professional—has continued to follow them across the Atlantic.

While it remains unclear how widespread the frustration among neighbors truly is, the claims reflect ongoing public interest and debate over the lives of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, even in their adopted home of Montecito.