Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Face Fresh Scrutiny As Montecito Neighbours Reportedly Mock Their Home

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s life in Montecito has come under renewed scrutiny after reports claimed some of their wealthy neighbours have been poking fun at the couple over the unchanged style of their California mansion.

The criticism centres on the Sussexes’ home, known as the Chateau of Riven Rock, which they reportedly bought for $14 million in 2020 after stepping back from royal duties and moving to the United States.

According to journalist Tom Sykes, the property has become a subject of conversation among people living nearby, with one neighbour reportedly describing it as something of a laughing stock.

The remarks were made in connection with the house’s interior, which critics claim still reflects the early-2000s style in which the property was originally built.

A $14 Million Home Under The Microscope

The Montecito property was built in 2003 and designed by Terry Cunningham. It sits within the historic Riven Rock neighbourhood and was constructed in a French Provençal style.

Despite its considerable price tag, reports suggest the Sussexes have made relatively few changes to the main structure since purchasing it.

Sykes discussed the subject on his Royalist podcast, saying he had spoken with someone living fairly close to Harry and Meghan.

The journalist suggested that, in affluent parts of America, buyers spending $14 million on a property might be expected to undertake extensive renovations or even replace the existing house.

Instead, he claimed, the Sussexes had retained much of the original look.

One particularly pointed observation focused on the kitchen, which Sykes described as resembling an Olive Garden restaurant.

The comments remain a reported account of local opinion rather than an independently verified assessment of how the wider Montecito community views the couple.

Inside The Sussexes’ Montecito Estate

Whatever the opinions about its décor, the property itself is far from modest.

The five-acre estate reportedly includes nine bedrooms and 16 bathrooms, alongside a swimming pool, tennis court, extensive gardens and a five-car garage.

There is also a guesthouse, spa, wine cellar, gym, library and tea house.

The grounds even include a chicken coop that the couple have named Archie’s Chick Inn.

Harry and Meghan have previously offered limited glimpses of their home through their Netflix documentary Harry & Meghan and on social media, giving the public a rare look inside their private life in California.

More Than A Question Of Décor

The story has become part of the broader fascination surrounding the Sussexes’ post-royal life.

Since leaving their senior royal roles in 2020, Harry and Meghan have established a very different existence in California, where their home has become one of the most recognisable aspects of their new life.

The reported comments from neighbours highlight how even seemingly ordinary details, such as the design of a kitchen, can become part of the intense public discussion surrounding the couple.

There has been no indication in the reports that Harry or Meghan personally responded to the criticism.

For now, the controversy remains largely about perception rather than any major issue with the property itself.

A multimillion-dollar mansion, a famously private neighbourhood and a surprisingly sharp debate over dated interiors have once again placed Harry and Meghan’s Montecito home under the spotlight.