However, trouble has arisen in the secluded Hillside Estates, where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reside, as authorities ruled against the residents' plea in a parking row. Locals have raised concerns about the lack of fines imposed on Meghan for her paparazzi and film crews' illegal parking.
The dispute revolves around road encroachments, where Montecito residents introduced unpermitted boulders and signs to discourage visitors from parking along East Mountain Drive. This includes visitors associated with Meghan's paparazzi team, as well as crew members from Spotify and Netflix since 2022.
Despite the signs, Meghan seems unconcerned about her paparazzi's illegal parking, sometimes calling them to avoid being spotted. On the other hand, her bodyguards' cars are often parked along the roadside, leading to frustration among the residents.
While Harry appears overly paranoid about privacy, Meghan's actions seem to stir up drama and attention. Residents have grown tired of their entitlement and perceived rudeness, feeling that the couple calls paparazzi and creates chaos wherever they go merely to appear important. In contrast, many other wealthy and high-profile individuals act with decency and respect, not wanting intrusive disruptions in their neighborhood.
Santa Barbara County currently provides eight parking spaces at the base of the Hot Springs Trail, but the demand far exceeds this capacity. In 2022, authorities issued notices to property owners, demanding the removal of unpermitted road encroachments placed in the public right-of-way. Three homeowners were particularly ordered to remove obstructions, such as boulders, a bank of mailboxes, and a no parking sign, introduced to deter Meghan and Harry's guests from parking.
The removal order caused disarray among East Mountain Drive residents, leading them to file a petition to keep their parking obstructions. Amid the tension, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have been exploring new properties as they contemplate moving from their current mansion in Montecito. According to commentator Christine Ross, there have been several reports of the couple wanting to find a new place, indicating that Montecito may not be working out for them. The possibility of a new home is certainly on their radar.
Meghan and Harry moved to Montecito in 2020, shortly after stepping down from their senior royal roles. They currently reside in California with their two children. As the parking dispute continues to cause strain in the Montecito area, the couple's potential relocation remains a topic of interest among residents and observers alike.
