Meghan Markle Pushes Prince Harry to 'Escape' Montecito for Star-Studded Malibu: 'Locals Aren’t Happy With Us'

Meghan Markle is reportedly eager to leave behind her life in Montecito, as neighbors in the upscale California community grow increasingly frustrated with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. According to sources close to the couple, Meghan, 43, has her sights set on Malibu, a celebrity-filled beach town where stars like Beyoncé and Jay-Z own multimillion-dollar estates.

Sources reveal that Meghan believes Montecito, once their quiet haven, has become too stifling and that the couple's increasingly insular lifestyle has rubbed locals the wrong way. "They haven't made much effort to connect with the community, and it's led to some tension," an insider shared with InTouch Weekly. "Now, Meghan is seriously considering packing up and starting fresh."

A Strained Relationship with Montecito

After leaving their royal duties in 2020, Meghan and Prince Harry settled in their $14 million Montecito mansion, raising their children, Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3. While the quiet neighborhood initially seemed like a perfect retreat, things have reportedly soured between the couple and their neighbors.

Frank McGinity, an 88-year-old U.S. Navy veteran who lives nearby, claimed that he was "turned away" from the Sussexes' gates when he attempted to welcome them with some local history films. "They've stayed very insular, and it hasn't won them any friends," McGinity shared. Another neighbor even confessed, "I can't wait for Meghan to go!"

A Move to Malibu Back on the Table

Despite a previous failed attempt to house-hunt in Malibu—where Beyoncé and Jay-Z purchased a $210 million beachfront estate—Prince Harry's recent $10 million inheritance from his great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, has rekindled their dreams of relocating to the trendy beach town.

"Meghan sees a move to Malibu as strategic," a source explained. "Being closer to Hollywood would help her rub shoulders with the right people, which could boost her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, set to launch in 2025."

Meghan's lifestyle venture has hit roadblocks, including a failed bid to trademark the brand name, but moving to Malibu could give her the opportunity to reboot her ambitions in the entertainment industry. "They miss out on a lot of connections being so far away from the action in Montecito," the insider continued.

A Fresh Start or More Trouble Ahead?

While the couple may be considering Malibu as their next home base, the move is not guaranteed to solve all their problems. According to a source, their current home in Montecito could even be kept as a "holiday home" to mimic the lavish lifestyles of Hollywood's elite—a move that would ensure they remain connected to both communities.

However, their troubles aren't just about their neighborhood. Meghan and Harry have been plagued with issues at their Archewell Foundation, including multiple staff resignations. "Meghan's reputation as a demanding boss isn't helping things either," the source added. "Everyone is whispering that she's the problem."

As the couple reportedly continues to navigate tensions both at home and within their foundation, a fresh start in Malibu could offer new opportunities—or simply more challenges.