Twitter Reacts To Rumor Meghan Markle Was Dubbed 'Princess Of Montecito' By Neighbors

Meghan Markle has been given a new nickname by her neighbors in Montecito, California, according to a new report, and the internet has mixed opinions about it.

U.K. magazine Closer published a report about the lifestyle Markle carved out for herself since moving to the affluent and star-studded neighborhood with husband Prince Harry in 2020. The report claimed that the Duchess of Sussex was dubbed "The Princess of Montecito" by her neighbors due to her lifestyle.

"If she's going into Beverly Hills or West Hollywood for lunch or dinner, she'll generally call ahead and request a table that is completely secluded," an unnamed source claimed of Markle. International Business Times could not independently verify this information.

The report also claimed that Markle likes to dine at "higher-end hangouts" such as Cecconi's, Sunset Tower, Sugarfish or Lucky's steakhouse in Montecito, which was reportedly recommended to the former actress and Prince Harry by Oprah Winfrey. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are "waited on hand and foot" at the restaurant, the outlet's insider claimed.

The report received mixed reactions on social media, with some Twitter users taking issue with Markle's alleged behavior.

"Clearly Meghan's superiority compared to the rest of us demands such actions," one critic sarcastically commented.

"This annoys me. I live in NYC, and I have dinner beside, adjacent to and behind huge celebrities literally all the time. I sat next to Denzel [Washington] a few years ago and didn't notice him until my husband told me. Even the Kardashians will eat a meal with the peasants," a second user tweeted.

"I almost feel sorry for them in how hard they try to prove they are soaring after their break from royal life. Someone should be honest with them and tell them how transparently sad this looks. There's no shame in admitting it's been a little jarring to upend their entire lives," another wrote.

One person claimed Markle's alleged actions were "ridiculous," adding: "One of the things that amazed me about California was [that] 'stars' could mingle with society at large without people giving it a second thought or bothering them at all."

But Sussex supporters and many other Twitter users came to Markle's defense, saying that requesting a private table at restaurants was far from unusual for celebrities and that the duchess was being unfairly attacked.

"Seriously? Just because 'she'll generally call ahead and request a table that is completely secluded'? It's called avoiding paparazzi and anyone else with a camera," one person wrote.

"Beverly Hills and West Hollywood are a two- to three-hour drive from Montecito, so [Meghan is] NOT running to L.A. for lunch or dinner. Even if she did, asking for a private table is how you avoid paparazzi," another tweeted. "Out of the thousands of very very famous people living in L.A., I find it ridiculous to think that servers would find it unusual for a famous person to ask for a private table so they can eat in peace with their friends."

"[Meghan and Harry] are no more lavish than anyone else in Montecito, or even Santa Barbara for that matter. In fact, they are pretty low-key comparatively," another opined.

A fourth person tweeted: "Well, she is The Princess, and good for her that she is enjoying her life! Love it!"

Others pointed out that even people who are not well-known request private tables.

Markle and Prince Harry were spotted driving to Winfrey's estate last month, one year after their explosive interview with the former talk show host.

But the couple and their children have rarely been photographed since the duke and duchess quit royal duties and moved to Montecito in 2020.

Prince Harry and Markle will be heading to New York next week. They will join the United Nations General Assembly to celebrate Nelson Mandela Day Monday, and Prince Harry will deliver a keynote speech.