Meghan Markle and Prince Harry reportedly are called local villains by neighbors of the ritzy California town the couple fled to after leaving their royal roles behind.

One Montecito resident, who has never met the couple but spoke to Vanity Fair, referred to the duo as the prince and “the starlet.”

The neighbors of the quiet Santa Barbara area attribute many of the new annoyances to Markle and Prince Harry, including increased housing prices, busy streets and more. 

The neighborhood has seen much more tourist traffic since Markle and Harry’s arrival in 2020, anonymous residents told the outlet. Vanity Fair also reported that several people they spoke with noted the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have become local villains.

MEGHAN MARKLE POSTPONES LIFESTYLE SERIES RELEASE DUE TO CALIFORNIA FIRES

“You know, the thing about [Meghan and Harry] that is so great is they didn’t come here to live off of our community. They came here to be a part of our community.”

— Sharon Stone

Markle’s latest business endeavor, American Riviera Orchard, is also located in Montecito, Vanity Fair reported. According to the outlet, a book published by the Southern Pacific Company rail lines in 1898 states, “The Montecito is known as the American Riviera.” However, that honor reportedly now belongs to Santa Barbara. 

“It’s such a kind of hucksterism,” a resident told Vanity Fair. “It’s just finding every way she can to monetize something.

“I still think they’re the most entitled, disingenuous people on the planet,” the resident added. “They moved away from England to get away from the scrutiny of the press, and all they do is try and get in the press in the United States.”

Fox News Digital reached out to representatives for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for comment.

LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle aren’t the only celebrities who live in Montecito. (Chris Jackson)

Meanwhile, the couple’s arrival has been praised by their celebrity neighbor, Sharon Stone.

“You know, the thing about them that is so great is they didn’t come here to live off of our community. They came here to be a part of our community,” she told Access Hollywood in 2020.

“My friend said she was sitting in her car, and they bicycled across the street and waved at her while she was sitting at the red light,” she recalled. “They’re a part of our community. They’ve become a giving, caring, participating part of our community. They’re not here to be like, ‘Would you like to kiss my butt?’”

Montecito has been home to a handful of celebrities, including Natalie Portman, Jeff Bridges, Gwyneth Paltrow, Adam Levine, Leonardo DiCaprio, Michael Keaton and Oprah.

The gate of the estate where Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle live in Montecito. (Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER

Despite moving to the United States five years ago after stepping back from his senior roles in royal life, Prince Harry reportedly doesn’t have a social life aside from his nuclear family.

“[Meghan] was up front about the fact that Harry hadn’t made many friends yet,” a source, who previously interacted with Markle professionally, told Vanity Fair.

Markle and Prince Harry threw themselves into work and landed a bombshell Netflix contract months after establishing Montecito as their home in 2020. They first released their docuseries, “Harry & Meghan,” in 2022. The show earned the biggest one-day audience for any Netflix series since monitoring began in October 2022. One year later, they followed up with the “Heart of Invictus” docuseries in 2023 and produced “Polo” in 2024.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle moved to California in 2020. (Chris Jackson/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation)

However, multiple sources described Markle and Prince Harry as having “really great ideas” for shows that never got made.

“I think Harry doesn’t know what he wants because he grew up in a fishbowl, and so he doesn’t know what real life really is,” an insider, who worked on media projects with the couple, told Vanity Fair. “I think he probably wants to be left alone and be able to go kiss babies every once in a while but not have to worry about money. I don’t think he wants to be famous the way Meghan wants to be famous.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were interviewed by Oprah Winfrey in 2021 at a friend of Winfrey’s home in Santa Barbara County, Calif. (Harpo Productions)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Fox News Digital’s Tracy Wright contributed to this report.

Over a week after destructive wildfires erupted in the Los Angeles area, fire crews have made progress with containment and stopped the growth of the Eaton and Palisades fires.

After several “Particularly Dangerous Situation” red flag warnings expired, firefighters were able to work in favorable weather conditions. Cooler temperatures are expected over the weekend, increasing humidity levels. 

On Jan 7., a “life-threatening” windstorm caused by powerful Santa Ana winds fueled the Palisades Fire in the community of Pacific Palisades and a few hours later helped exacerbate the Eaton Fire in the northeast portion of the county near Pasadena.

Search and rescue crews have found human remains in debris and the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office has confirmed 27 deaths in connection to the fires.

The Eaton and Palisades fires quickly became two of the most destructive and deadliest wildfires in California’s history. Residents were forced to flee their homes as flames inched closer. As of Saturday morning, 10,694 structures were confirmed to have been destroyed, according to Cal Fire.

As fire officials continue to assess the damaged areas, some residents in both fire zones have been able to return to their neighborhoods.

“Please be assured that our firefighters continue to work 24/7 to achieve full containment of these wildfires as fast as we can. We continue to plan for the repopulation of evacuated areas, when safe,” Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said.  

Eaton Fire

The 14,117-acre Eaton Fire has reached 73% containment as of Saturday morning. Ground crews and air operations are continuing to extinguish hot spots around the burn footprint.

“Containment continues to grow, with a total of 60 miles of control lines established around the fire’s perimeter, including 8 miles of hand lines,” Cal Fire said.

Urban Search and Rescue teams have completed 8,856 inspections which has led to repopulation in certain areas. On Saturday morning, Cal Fire reported that nearly 10,000 structures were damaged or destroyed by the fire.

Several areas affected by the fire remain under evacuation orders and warnings. Officials have said they will allow residents back to their homes once the areas have been properly assessed and deemed safe.

The LA County Medical Examiner has confirmed 17 deaths tied to the Eaton Fire. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is actively investigating 24 missing persons cases, related to the fire.

To see a full update of firefighting efforts and updates to evacuation orders for the Eaton Fire visit the Cal Fire website.

Palisades Fire

The Palisades Fire which has burned 23,713 has grown to 43% containment. The calm wind activity has allowed for minimal fire behavior as firefighters continue to put out hot spots.

On Friday afternoon, Cal Fire announced several evacuation orders had been downgraded and warnings lifted. Even though repopulation has begun in some areas, fire officials warn residents that some of their homes may still be impacted by power outages.

Aerial assessment of the affected area showed that about 5,000 structures were damaged or destroyed, according to Cal Fire. On Saturday morning, the agency reported that 12,250 structures were threatened by the fire.

 At least 10 people have died in relation to the Palisades Fire, according to the LA County Medical Examiner. The number of fatalities is expected to rise as search and rescue crews are still working to inspect several areas. The LA County Sheriff’s Department is investigating seven active missing persons reports for the Palisades Fire. 

To see a full update of firefighting efforts and updates to evacuation orders for the Palisades Fire visit the Cal Fire website. 

Evacuation orders and curfew 

Saturday morning, mandatory evacuation orders remain in place for residents in the Eaton and Palisades free areas. 

Throughout the week officials announced several orders were downgraded to warnings and warnings were lifted allowing residents back into their neighborhoods. 

Even though some residents have been allowed back to their homes, many areas are still experiencing power outages and no water. 

A 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew continues to be enforced nightly in the mandatory evacuation areas in the Palisades and Eaton fire zones.

Have a tip about the Southern California wildfires? Send it to CBS News Los Angeles and KCAL News.

A group of California firefighters stopped an alleged looter from robbing a burned-down house and jetting off with an Emmy Award that had miraculously survived the fiery carnage of the Eaton Fire.

Smoke eaters with the Los Angeles County Fire Department were working in a burned-down Altadena neighborhood on Thursday when they came across two suspicious people who were leaving one of the properties.

One of the firefighters confronted a woman – wearing a dark sweatshirt and skirt over sweatpants – carrying possessions from the home including the prestigious award.

“There’s no way what?” the suspected looter asked the firefighter as he walked away from a white pickup truck with the award, according to LAFD Watchdog video obtained by Fox LA reporter Matthew Seedorff.

“No way, you are not doing this,” the first responder argued.

“This was our house. We tried to save all these people. You are not stealing from them.”

The woman claimed she wasn’t stealing and was protecting her neighborhood.

The firefighter walked away but turned around when the woman and her friend attempted to get into the truck.

“You’re not going anywhere,” the firefighter ordered.

The Emmy was awarded in the news and documentaries category in 2002, Fox LA reported.

Along with the Emmy, the woman allegedly stole another award, the Sharp Award from 2016. Both awards had the name of the rightful owner on it, who was not publically named.

The firefighter called for an engine to be parked in front of the suspect’s white pickup until police arrived.

Deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office arrested the looters.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman revealed nine more individuals charged with crimes related to the aftermath of the Eaton and Palisades fires.

The charges included felony arson, felony possession of ammunition by a felon, felony looting during mandatory evacuations, and misdemeanor impersonation of a firefighter.

Nine people were originally charged with crimes before Hochman’s update Friday.

Over 40 out-of-town vultures were arrested by the Santa Monica police for allegedly preying on the thousands of homes left abandoned there and in the neighboring Pacific Palisades.

The suspected criminals took advantage of residents fleeing the devastating fires and allegedly burglarized the homes.

“To anyone who believes they can use this disaster as a cover for criminal activity, let this be your warning: You will be caught, and you will be held accountable,” Hochman said. “The citizens of this county deserve safety and justice, especially in the wake of such unprecedented devastation, and I will not rest until we achieve both.”

The deadly fires killed 27 people and destroyed more than 11,000 structures after the raging infernos burned through over 40,000 acres since Jan. 7, 2025.