Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are once again facing criticism over their lavish Montecito estate, with claims emerging that some locals reportedly view the property as a “laughing stock.”
The comments were made by journalist Tom Sykes during an appearance on The Royalist podcast, where he discussed how some neighbours allegedly perceive the couple’s $14.65 million home, which is now said to be worth nearly $29 million.
Recalling a recent conversation, Sykes claimed, “I was in New York last week, and I was meeting with somebody who lives fairly near them, and they said to me that that house that they occupy in Montecito is like a source of laughing stock.”
He went on to suggest that wealthy homeowners in the area typically renovate or completely rebuild expensive properties after purchasing them.
“It’s kind of shameful because, of course, in America, if you’re a billionaire and you buy a house for $14 million, what’s the first thing you do? Knock it down, or at the very least remodel it,” he said.
Sykes also took aim at the interior style of the Sussexes’ home, joking that the kitchen looked “straight out of the Olive Garden circa 1994.”
The mansion holds personal significance for Meghan, who previously admitted she once believed owning the property would never be possible.
Speaking to The Cut in an earlier interview, Meghan recalled feeling emotional about the house before she and Harry purchased it.
“We didn’t have jobs, so we just were not going to come and see this house. It wasn’t possible,” she said at the time.
Comparing the experience to window shopping as a child, Meghan added, “I don’t want to go and look at all the things that I can’t afford. That doesn’t feel good.”
