Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have been making headlines once again, but this time it’s not for their royal status.
Actor Rob Lowe, a neighbor in Montecito, California, recently spoke out about the attention the couple has brought to his quiet town.
During an interview on the E!
News talk show Daily Pop, Lowe expressed how the presence of the Royals has changed the neighborhood.
Lowe, who has lived in Montecito for 26 years, acknowledged that Markle and Harry keep a low profile but emphasized that they have undeniably increased interest in the area.
“They definitely have brought a lot of attention to my sleepy little town,” Lowe stated.
He even revealed that the couple lives just beyond the fence from his first home in the neighborhood.
According to him, once the Royals move in, the neighborhood is never the same again.
When asked if he was upset about the changes brought by high-profile residents, Lowe shared his perspective.
“When Oprah moved in, that began the sort of resurgence of Montecito.
And now that the Royals are there, the good news is property values go up, the bad news is the lines are longer at Starbucks,” he jokingly remarked.
It was previously reported that Markle and Harry had stayed at Tyler Perry’s mansion in Beverly Hills before purchasing their current home in Montecito.
However, according to Lowe, rumors that the couple filmed their interview with Oprah at his house are unfounded.
“It’s so funny, everyone thinks the interview was shot at my house, and then my friend Ted Sarandos, who runs Netflix, everyone thought they shot it at his house,” Lowe clarified.
He expressed uncertainty about the actual location, suggesting that it may have been shot at Oprah’s place.
In addition to the attention they have attracted, Markle and Harry have also faced some security concerns.
The Guardian reported that police in Santa Barbara County were called to their property nine times in nine months due to reports of trespassing, alarm activations, and phone requests.
Despite these incidents, the couple seems to be settling into their new home.
While Markle and Harry may have brought attention to Montecito, not all the buzz has been positive.
Commentator Angela Levin accused Markle of bringing out Prince Harry’s “evil side” during an interview on talk TV.
Levin claimed that Markle’s behavior has revealed the worst in Harry, emphasizing the importance of surrounding oneself with people who bring out the best in them.
These allegations come at a time when the couple is already facing criticism for their nomination for the Robert F Kennedy Ripple of Hope Award.
Despite the mixed reactions and increased scrutiny, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry continue to make their mark on Montecito.
With their presence, the sleepy little town has become a hub of attention and intrigue, leaving neighbors like Rob Lowe to navigate the changes that come with living alongside high-profile residents.
