The elite Old Guard of establishment Hollywood residing in Santa Barbara and Montecito has recently voiced their support for the British Royal Family, specifically endorsing Princess Catherine and Prince William. This deliberate show of allegiance is far from coincidental.
The local celebrities are making it clear who they back and who they distance themselves from, especially considering the neighborhood's new residents, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. In a surprising turn of events, Hollywood star Gwyneth Paltrow publicly supported the Princess of Wales amidst the ongoing Royal Family feud. During the Trooping the Colour ceremony, Catherine made a triumphant return to the public eye.
Among the many comments on her appearance, Paltrow's stood out. She commented on an official Instagram photo of the princess, saying, "So happy to see you looking so happy and well." This gesture has sparked speculation about Paltrow's stance in the royal rift. As noted by royal author Phil Dampier, he suggested that Paltrow's comment indicates her support for Catherine amidst the tensions between the Sussexes and the rest of the Royal Family. The situation is further complicated by Meghan Markle's admiration for Paltrow. Markle's new lifestyle project, American Riviera Orchard, is said to be inspired by Paltrow's Goop brand. Dampier speculated that Paltrow's public support for Catherine could be hurtful to Meghan, given her admiration for the actress.
Adding to the mix, Kevin Costner recently reflected on meeting Prince William after Princess Diana's tragic death. In an interview with People magazine, Costner shared that while in England, he was summoned by Prince William. Costner, who once considered casting Princess Diana in a sequel to The Bodyguard, spoke highly of William, revealing a private meeting where they discussed personal matters. Costner expressed his respect for William, recounting a touching moment when William mentioned that Diana "kind of fancied" Costner. The conversation, described as sweet, remained largely private, underscoring the mutual respect between the two.
James Woods, known for his outspoken nature, has also made his stance clear regarding Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. Woods, who frequently posts on social media, hasn't held back his criticism of the couple. One viral meme that he posted compared Meghan and Harry to John Lennon and Yoko Ono, implying that Meghan is the new Yoko, responsible for influencing Harry to step down as a royal and move to California. The meme depicted Lennon and Ono waiting for a maid to make their bed, with Woods' caption reading, "Meghan and Harry fixed it for you." Woods has also mocked the couple's activism, highlighting their perceived hypocrisy in advocating for environmental causes while using private jets. Additionally, he commented on rumors about Meghan Markle's political aspirations. When headlines suggested the couple was eyeing a $7 million Malibu mansion, Woods quipped, "If you're going to spend your life being a purse holder, might as well have a waterview." Furthermore, regarding rumors of Markle running for president, Woods posted, "Why ruin one country when you can ruin two? #doubleheader," referring to the potential impact of her political ambitions.
The support from Hollywood's elite for William and Catherine, coupled with criticism of Harry and Meghan, reflects a significant shift in public sentiment. This alignment with the British Royal Family and the distancing from the Sussexes indicate a broader narrative at play within the social dynamics of Montecito and Santa Barbara. The support from figures like Paltrow, Costner, and Woods sends a clear message about where loyalties lie, further intensifying the public and media scrutiny on the royal rift.
