‘Turned away’: Meghan and Harry’s spat with neighbour

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s neighbour has called them out for their alleged rudeness as he reveals the one thing he finds surprising.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Montecito neighbour has called out the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, claiming his attempts to be neighbourly to them when they first moved in were snubbed.

United States Navy veteran Frank McGinity has been neighbours with the Sussexes since they first moved into the exclusive California neighbourhood in 2020.

According to Sky News, Mr McGinity, 88, claimed his attempts to be a friendly neighbour and introduce himself to the couple resulted in him being “turned away”.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, were reportedly not neighbourly to a Navy veteran who welcomed them to Montecito. Picture: AFP

The US Navy veteran said he tried to welcome Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to the area by lending them some well-intentioned videos he created about the history of the Californian land on which their house is now built.

“Harry and Meghan live on old McCormick property and I went up to their gate with the films on a CD, but they weren’t interested,” he told the Montecito Journal.

“The gate guy turned me away and wouldn’t take the film, just saying ‘they’re not interested’. I was trying to be neighbourly. If they were interested in the neighbourhood I’ve got a lot of information.”

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s home in Montecito, in Santa Barbara, is a “tiara toss” from their neighbour’s who claimed they snubbed him. Picture: Supplied

Although Prince Harry’s passion project while an active royal was championing wounded veterans through the Invictus Games, Mr McGinity found no such favour.

The local newspaper clarified that Mr McGinity’s property is just a “tiara’s toss or two” from The Duchess of Sussex’s property line.

The royal couple purchased the 16-bedroom estate in the exclusive California suburb for an estimated A$21 million in June 2020.

Home to middle-aged A-listers like Oprah Winfrey, 69, and Rob Lowe, 59, Mr McGinity said Montecito is mostly home to “older” people and it’s “surprising” that the young couple chose it.

“It’s surprising they came here. People are typically older. It’s where the elephants come to die.”

HARRY AND MEGHAN SHOP FOR MALIBU PROPERTY IN A-LIST ENCLAVE

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are house hunting around her childhood home of Malibu beach in a bid to boost business connections and their profile among A-list celebrities.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are looking at homes on the coast of Los Angeles, home to many Hollywood players, and where stars and tech giants reside.

The Sussexes are hoping to boost their profile. Picture: AFP

The couple are in the early stages of purchasing a mansion in the region – considered one of most desirable locations in the US – where talent scout Simon Cowell, Cher, Lady Gaga, Leonardo DiCaprio, Miley Cyrus and Charlize Theron have homes.

The beach house owned by actor Charlize Theron at Malibu, California. Picture: Supplied.

“It will boost their profile and help them make connections, in the US it’s all about who you know not what you know,” said royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams.

“They are talking about keeping Montecito where they currently live and adding Malibu which is an hour’s commute away.”

The plan to move comes as Meghan, Duchess of Sussex is gearing up to focus on gaining Hollywood fame.

A general view of the gated neighbourhood where Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were looking in Malibu, California. Picture: AFP

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are rumoured to be drawn to the Malibu area where Markle grew up. Picture: AFP

The Sussexes have decisions to make soon regarding their children’s schooling as their eldest Archie turns five next year.

Home schooling may be the norm for many high earners in the state, but Malibu’s schools are popular with celebrity parents.

In 2019, Meghan’s stepbrother Tom spoke about how Meghan had cherished childhood memories in Malibu and the surrounding areas.

She enjoyed fun beach dates at The Will Rogers Beach near Malibu, near her Woodland Hills family home.

The Sussexes forked out £11.4 million (A$22m) on their rambling estate in Montecito in Santa Barbara, California.

It features nine bedrooms and 16 bathrooms, along with a games room, a gym, tennis courts and tea house.

Estimates say it could fetch as much as £15.5 million (A$30m) if put back on the market.

Originally published as ‘Turned away’: Meghan and Harry’s spat with neighbour