The piece discussed the 1805 Live event, an organization founded in 2018 to support the community following mudslides in Montecito. It also mentioned Oscar winner Kevin Costner opening his expansive Carpenteria Oceanside estate for the event, which attracted a record 3,000 guests and raised over a million dollars for First Responders groups.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attended the event, with Meghan wearing an outfit by Carolina Herrera. They presented the Heart of the Community Awards during the occasion, designed by Linda Weinman, to Kevin Costner, Adam McCag (founder of Adam's Angels), and Alexa Feton (who offered a home on Ringcom Beach for firefighters).
One of the photos accompanying the article featured Harry and Meghan standing with Santa Barbara County Fire Chief Mark Hartwig and Adam McCag. Notably, the article described them as "Prince Harry and his actress wife Meghan Markle," which some interpreted as a dig or a deliberate choice to emphasize her role as an actress.
The Montecito Journal's reference to Prince Harry's "Orange hand" in one of the photos and the sequence of mentioning Meghan's name after Harry's raised some eyebrows and led to speculation about potential subtle trolling in the article. The piece also made reference to the value of Kevin Costner's estate in a manner that seemed to imply exclusivity, which some readers perceived as a slight.
Meghan's presence in Montecito has garnered mixed opinions, with some viewing her as a social climber and an unwelcome addition to the community.
During the event, Harry and Meghan were observed blocking Katy Perry's parents and actively seeking photo opportunities. They even approached Franciscan friars for intimate photos. Notably, Meghan took photos with Franciscan friar Larry Golin of St. Barbara Parish and attempted to kiss his cheek, which raised concerns since Catholic priests typically engage in friendly or familiar kissing rather than romantic gestures. Father Larry Golin kindly reminded Meghan to maintain a respectful distance during their encounters.
Additionally, Meghan's invitation to Father Golin for the couple's wedding vow renewal next year was seen as offensive and lacking in respect, as he is a respected Franciscan friar who had been invited to the event by Kevin Costner.
This incident at the 1805 Live event is not the first time Meghan has faced controversy regarding her behavior, as she had previously been criticized for attempting to kiss a female attendee on the cheek without seeking consent during the 2023 Invictus Games in Germany.
