We’ll never be royals: the California town where Prince Harry and Meghan lived says goodbye
As the couple plans their return to the UK, Montecito’s whirlwind stint on the global stage may be coming to an endThe bucolic coastal California town of Montecito was thrust into the limelight six years ago as the backdrop for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s second act followin
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- Tom Thornapproved 21 August 2026
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Six years ago, Montecito — a quiet, affluent town on California's Santa Barbara coast — became an unlikely fixture in international headlines when Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, settled there following their departure from frontline royal duties. According to The Guardian, Deutsche Welle, and France 24, that chapter now appears to be drawing to a close as the couple makes plans to return to the UK.
The pair arrived in Montecito after what multiple outlets described as an acrimonious separation from Buckingham Palace. The town, known for its unhurried pace and wealthy enclave character, provided the backdrop for the couple's efforts to build an independent public life. According to The Guardian, its brief prominence on the world stage may fade once they leave.
The prospect of a UK return also brings questions about what comes next professionally. According to BBC News, Deutsche Welle, and France 24, Meghan may resume an acting career once the family relocates to Britain.
No confirmed timeline for the move has been reported, and the precise circumstances surrounding their return remain unclear as of writing.
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