Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have lived in their Montecito home for the past four years. But it seems they haven't won over all their neighbours just yet.
A fellow resident from their exclusive Santa Barbara district was one of a number of people to speak on the new German documentary titled Harry - The Lost Prince. Richard Mineards spoke about the expensive lifestyle the Sussexes enjoy, before going on to criticise Meghan for not being an "asset" to the local area.
"She doesn't really go out or get involved with the community," he noted. "Harry has to a certain extent, because he's quite jolly… but Meghan doesn't seem to get seen anywhere… And you don't see him either."
In an exclusive interview with the Mirror, royal commentator Duncan Larcombe was asked about the Sussexes' position within their neighbourhood. He said: "They are the public couple that claim to crave privacy and that I suppose would involve the local community. But when you have young children, they all mix with other young children at schools or nurseries. Are they going to play the role of just another parent?
"It sounds from the documentary that no, they are keeping themselves close to themselves, which doesn't go down well at all in their community by the sounds of it."
Harry - The Lost Prince, which aired on the German ZDF network, was made by award-winning filmmaker Ulrike Grünewald, who spoke to the couple's Montecito neighbours, royal experts and former acquaintances to explore Prince Harry's struggles within the Royal Family and the Sussexes' search for relevance following their exit from royal life in January 2020.
The documentary might make for uncomfortable viewing for the couple, who are criticised for their "whinging" over the royal family, "only mixing with upper classes" on their "carefully orchestrated" foreign trips, and Meghan's out-of-touch expensive tour wardrobes.
It follows reports that Harry and Meghan plan to send their children to a 'prestigious' private school - something that has raised eyebrows amongst royal watchers. The couple are reportedly eyeing up a school in the heart of Montecito, where fees cost around £40,000 per year.
Royal commentator Lee Cohen slammed the pair for their potential plans, saying: "Their supposed commitment to progressive causes is nothing but a façade. If they're willing to indulge in this epitome of elitism, there is no advocating for equality."
Speaking to GB News at the time, Cohen questioned how Meghan and Harry could "justify" their decision to look at private schools when "so many families struggle to afford even the basic necessities". "Sending their children to such a prestigious institution completely exposes the frauds that Harry and Meghan are." he said. "By perpetuating the very systems of privilege that they claim to expose."