Meghan and Harry Leave Montecito After Harry Shares Plans With Friends, Prompting Neighbors to Speak Out

Rachel Perkins | August 31, 2026 | News | No Comments

After six years in Montecito, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have moved on, renewing interest in the home and community they established in California.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex began their post-royal lives in the state with ambitious plans. As they now start another chapter in Britain, people who lived near them are sharing a less glamorous account of the years they spent in the coastal enclave.

Their arrival in Montecito created considerable excitement in 2020. Six years later, however, reminders of the couple’s local presence have already begun to vanish.

The Sussexes lived behind the private gates of Montecito's Riven Rock neighborhood, an area known for large estates and secluded properties. Their home there became the family's U.S. base for six years. — The Sussexes lived behind the private gates of Montecito’s Riven Rock neighborhood, an area known for large estates and secluded properties. Their home there became the family’s U.S. base for six years.

At Godmothers bookstore, roughly three miles from their former $14.6 million mansion, an upstairs room once showcased Meghan’s As Ever range. Oak tables, eucalyptus and a notice describing the area as having been "curated by the Duchess herself" formed part of the presentation.

Nearly the entire display had been removed by late August.

Only three tins of Meghan’s $15 flower sprinkles were reportedly left. The As Ever signs were no longer visible, and an employee who initially seemed not to recognize the brand said, "Oh, we don’t stock it any more."

The shop also reportedly had no copies of Harry’s memoir, "Spare," on display.

arry's memoir, "Spare," went on sale in January 2023 and detailed his grievances with the Royal Family. The book became a major part of the public fallout that followed his departure from royal duties. — arry’s memoir, "Spare," went on sale in January 2023 and detailed his grievances with the Royal Family. The book became a major part of the public fallout that followed his departure from royal duties.

A Quiet Departure From Montecito

The atmosphere outside the Sussexes’ old residence is different, too. Photographers who previously waited near the property are no longer there.

A neighbor identified only as Susan claimed that Harry and Meghan "never became part of the community."

Montecito sits near Santa Barbara on California’s coast and has long attracted wealthy and high-profile residents. Harry and Meghan’s arrival brought added attention to the enclave, including a paparazzi presence near their home.

Although Susan sometimes spotted Harry riding an electric bicycle or Meghan passing by in a Range Rover, she said those brief sightings were the extent of their contact.

She also remembered leaving a welcoming bottle of wine at the couple’s gate. The unopened gift was sent back the next day.

"I’m not sure they ever wanted to hang out with anyone who wasn’t a billionaire or famous or both," Susan said.

Harry and Meghan appeared together in Melbourne during a four-day visit to Australia in April 2026. Their public engagements continued even as their years as Montecito residents were nearing an end.

A second neighbor, who was not named, characterized the couple’s exit as happening "with a whimper, not a bang."

"There were no moving trucks, no parties, nothing at all," the resident recalled. "One day they were here and the next they were back in England."

Harry and Meghan arrive at the Australian National Veterans Arts Museum in Melbourne in April 2026. In Montecito, neighbors described seeing far less of the couple during their years in the California community.

Another unidentified source made a sharper allegation about the couple’s friendships, saying, "Harry and Meghan became known for making friends with people who could help them. Sarah is one of those people. Rich and with lots of polo ponies."

What Harry Reportedly Told Friends

When friends met with Harry following his return to Britain, they reportedly expected to hear "noises of contrition and humility." An unnamed source said his comments instead took them by surprise.

Prince Harry leaves the Royal Courts of Justice in London in January 2026. His return to Britain has put renewed attention on his relationship with the Royal Family after years of public disputes.

"They were agog to hear he still feels angry with members of the Royal Family, is still frustrated by the ‘men in grey suits’ who surround his father, and still expects an apology," the source said.

According to that account, Harry’s outlook has changed little since he stepped away from royal duties in 2020.

Prince Harry attends the annual Founder's Day Parade at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London in June 2019, before he stepped back from royal duties. His life as a working royal would change dramatically the following year. — Prince Harry attends the annual Founder’s Day Parade at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London in June 2019, before he stepped back from royal duties. His life as a working royal would change dramatically the following year.

"There will be no imminent mea culpa from Harry by the sounds of things," the source continued. "Far from it, in fact. He is still in that Oprah mindset."

The suggestion that Harry continues to seek an apology is consistent with his own public remarks from 2023: "What I’d really like is some accountability. And an apology to my wife."

The source further suggested that the legacy of Harry’s late mother, Princess Diana, remains an important element in the continuing family conflict.

Princess Diana holds a young Prince Harry during a family holiday in Majorca, Spain, in August 1987. Decades later, a source said Diana's legacy remains an influence on Harry as tensions with the Royal Family continue. — Princess Diana holds a young Prince Harry during a family holiday in Majorca, Spain, in August 1987. Decades later, a source said Diana’s legacy remains an influence on Harry as tensions with the Royal Family continue.

"He certainly won’t be issuing a public apology for his actions and he’s whipped himself up all over again and Diana’s legacy is a factor in this," the source said.

Their latest move also follows previous indications that Harry and Meghan intended to preserve their connections to the California life they had built.

A Life Split Between Several Homes

Relocating does not mean the Sussexes are giving up their American base. They are expected to keep both their Montecito residence and their vacation home in Portugal while developing a more settled routine across multiple countries.

Under that arrangement, Meghan can continue managing As Ever, while Harry will have far more opportunities to pursue charitable work in Britain. Scotty’s Little Soldiers, WellChild and the Invictus community are among the causes expected to benefit from his greater availability.

People close to Harry and Meghan see the plan as something close to the "half in, half out" structure they wanted before leaving royal life. It allows them to maintain financial independence while spending significant periods in Harry’s home country, where many of his long-term charitable commitments are located.

Supporters of the couple also argue that they achieved the self-sufficient future they sought: they pay their mortgage and other expenses themselves, support their own household and receive no taxpayer money.

Family and Schooling Shape the Return

Harry may have hinted at his priorities almost a year before the family’s return was announced. At the WellChild Awards in September 2025, singer Joss Stone spoke with him about moving her family back to Britain after living in Nashville for several years.

"He asked about how we were settling back in and was genuinely interested in our move home," Joss said. "He’s just very warm and down to earth, as always. Maybe Harry will move back too. That would be nice."

Harry appeared to hint at a possible return more than a year ago while discussing the benefits of British schools, community and family life with Joss Stone. Those comments now look considerably more telling.

Joss said Harry appeared especially interested in how the return had affected her children. "He was saying how wonderful the schools are here and how important community is for children," she recalled.

"It was nice to share that with him because it’s exactly why we felt drawn to come back — for the kids to grow up surrounded by family, friends and a strong sense of belonging and, most importantly, in a safe environment." With Archie and Lilibet reportedly getting ready to attend school in Britain, the conversation carries greater weight in retrospect.

A well-received summer stay in the UK appears to have further influenced the family’s plans.

During that visit, Archie and Lilibet reportedly saw Charles for the first time in more than four years. Harry had already been in Britain for several days of charity work when Meghan and the children arrived from Portugal.

They privately reunited with Charles at Highgrove House before heading to Althorp House, the place where Princess Diana spent much of her youth and was later laid to rest.

One of the most personal reasons behind the reported return is a desire to spend more time with King Charles III. Harry previously spoke openly about wanting reconciliation with his father, making the timing of the decision especially significant.

Harry, Meghan, Archie and Lilibet visited members of the extended Spencer family and are thought to have honored Diana at her gravesite, situated on an island in the Oval Lake. They also traveled through Britain for several days.

Meghan subsequently posted holiday photographs showing beaches, pools and views beside a lake. In hindsight, the images may have provided an early indication that the family was preparing to make the UK a much larger part of its life.

Security and Harry’s British Commitments

For years, protection concerns complicated any prospect of Harry bringing his family to Britain for lengthy visits. He and Meghan ceased receiving taxpayer-funded police security after leaving their roles as senior working royals.

Harry later pursued a prolonged challenge over those arrangements, maintaining that the government’s Royal and VIP Executive Committee needed to conduct an updated risk assessment. He has said no such review has occurred for more than six years.

Given that background, establishing a residence in the UK indicates that he now feels considerably more at ease about Meghan and the children staying there for extended periods.

Questions had repeatedly arisen over the family’s accommodations and available protection whenever they visited Britain.

Insiders reportedly called that speculation a "circus." Securing a home of their own seems to settle at least the question of where the Sussexes will stay.

A new UK base could give the Sussex family more time with relatives and allow the children to attend school in Britain.

Before the relocation became known, Harry was already due in Britain in September for work connected with WellChild, which he has supported for more than 20 years. He is also expected to continue playing an active role in Invictus Games-related events.

The first Invictus Spirit Awards and gala is among the major upcoming occasions, though it has not been confirmed whether either Harry or Meghan will be present.

Living in Britain more regularly could let Harry devote himself to UK charity engagements without each visit prompting another round of questions about short-term lodging.

Where Relations With the Royal Family Stand

King Charles III, 77, reportedly learned about Harry and Meghan’s intentions on Sunday, August 16, only days before the news surfaced. The King is said to be pleased by the prospect of spending more time with the Sussex family, following a period in which he and Harry have slowly worked on their relationship.

Charles has nevertheless reportedly emphasized that the couple’s official royal status will remain as it is. In keeping with the terms agreed when they left public duties, Harry and Meghan continue to be private citizens and non-working members of the royal family. That boundary is central to understanding their return.

King Charles III was photographed at the RHS Sandringham Flower Show in July 2026. The following month, CNN reported that he welcomed the prospect of spending more time with the Sussex family privately.

Any progress with Charles does not appear to extend to Prince William.

Harry and his brother reportedly remain estranged, despite suggestions that their dispute might have become less severe. There is still said to be "no contact" between them.

A close source said in July, "I thought it would have perhaps eased a little bit by now, to be honest. But there has been no movement, especially on William’s side."

Their bond has been troubled for several years, with the rift worsening after Harry and Meghan’s Oprah Winfrey interview, the Netflix series "Harry & Meghan" and the publication of "Spare" in 2023.

The move may bring Harry physically closer to the royal family, but it reportedly does not signal an end to every strained relationship. The rift with Prince William is said to remain unresolved.

Harry and Meghan departed Britain in 2020 as their relationships with royal relatives deteriorated increasingly in public. Their latest decision should not therefore be read as evidence of a full family reconciliation; it appears to be a more limited and deliberately structured arrangement.

They will, however, return to an existing network of friends and relatives.

Harry retains many longstanding friendships in Britain, and Meghan has her own connections there. Lindsay Jill Roth, her friend from college, splits her life between Chicago and London with her husband and their two sons. The Sussexes also remain close to Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank.

Harry and Meghan reportedly remain close to Princess Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, giving the Sussexes an important family connection in Britain. That relationship could become even more meaningful as they establish a UK base.

Because Eugenie and Jack divide their time between Portugal and Britain, both households now maintain homes in the same two countries. That overlap may offer Archie and Lilibet an additional sense of continuity while they become accustomed to living more often in Europe.