The latest gossip from Montecito has Meghan Markle and Prince Harry stirring up their usual blend of fascination and frustration.
Meghan, ever the self-proclaimed champion of goodwill and sparkle, is rumored to have been tipping off paparazzi before her supposedly casual visits to local stores. After all, nothing says “private citizen” quite like orchestrating a full-blown photo op in the cereal aisle. It seems Meghan’s reputation in the Santa Barbara area isn’t faring too well either. Locals reportedly find her as demanding as a toddler in a candy store but without the endearing charm. One resident went so far as to describe her as “extremely disagreeable.” Harsh words, but they don’t stop there.
Allegedly, the private school attended by the couple’s eldest child has had to endure a litany of unreasonable demands from the Sussexes. The most jaw-dropping of these? A request for a man with a machine gun to be stationed at the kindergarten’s entrance. Yes, a machine gun. It’s as if they think Montecito has suddenly become a war zone, with preschoolers the unlikely targets. Unsurprisingly, the school declined the request, and rightfully so—setting boundaries against such excessive paranoia is commendable.
Over in Altadena, Harry and Meghan recently hosted a charity event that left observers more puzzled than inspired. According to one volunteer, the couple arrived with an entourage, handed out a donut, donated a bag of old clothes, posed with city officials, hugged a few people for the cameras, and then disappeared just 20 minutes later. Was this an act of genuine philanthropy, or simply another scene crafted for a Netflix project? Either way, the whirlwind effort barely left an impression.
For those familiar with Meghan’s pre-royal days, none of this is particularly shocking. Former acquaintances have long hinted at her being difficult, with stories of retail, hotel, and restaurant staff groaning at the sight of her. There’s also her alleged reputation for being less-than-generous when it comes to tipping. Why tip with cash, after all, when a sprinkle of celebrity exposure can suffice? It’s the kind of influencer logic that feels all too familiar.
The machine gun request deserves another moment of reflection. Who even thinks of that? Are they envisioning a real-life reenactment of The Bodyguard, with their child as Whitney Houston? The bizarre part is that no one even knows what their kid looks like, meaning the risk level is virtually non-existent. It’s hard not to see this as paranoia run amok. If they’re truly that concerned about safety, perhaps homeschooling would be a better option. With no nine-to-five obligations, they certainly have the time to make it work.
And then there’s Harry, who’s becoming a shadow of his former self. Once the lovable, cheeky royal, he now seems to be spiraling. His therapy sessions, endlessly referenced in interviews, don’t appear to be grounding him in reality. From his tone-deaf public behavior to his increasingly erratic decision-making, Harry’s struggles are becoming harder to ignore. Demanding armed guards for a kindergarten isn’t just absurd; it’s deeply unsettling and traumatic for everyone involved.
Caught in the middle of all this drama are their children, who may very well be the ultimate victims. Growing up in an environment where you’re treated as royalty one moment and dragged into relentless public spectacle the next is bound to be a psychological whirlwind. Being told you’re a prince or princess only to watch your parents constantly invite tabloid chaos into your life must be deeply confusing. Narcissistic parenting has its costs, and these kids seem destined for a bumpy ride.
In the end, the Sussex saga continues to deliver exactly what we’ve come to expect: a spectacle that blends entitlement, out-of-touch behavior, and a healthy dose of secondhand embarrassment. Whether it’s choreographed photo ops, outrageous demands, or tone-deaf decisions, Harry and Meghan’s ability to outdo themselves remains unparalleled. The entertainment, if nothing else, is guaranteed.
