Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have faced accusations of disregarding their elderly neighbour following their relocation to Montecito, California.
Frank McGinity, an 88-year-old US Navy veteran, revealed that he has been living next door to the Sussexes ever since they arrived in the area in 2020. He mentioned that he attempted to extend a warm welcome to them by presenting a gift as a gesture of goodwill.
But the gesture did not go as planned, he mentioned.
In a section of his memoir titled “Get Off Your Street,” Mr. McGinity shared that he went to the couple’s residence to offer them some films he had created about the local area’s history.
“I have a big house next to Harry and Meghan’s property and I live in the guest house while renting the main house out on Airbnb,” he said, according to The Montecito Journal.
“Harry and Meghan live on old McCormick property and I went up to their gate with the films on a CD, but they weren’t interested,” he further quoted.
Mr. McGinity stated that the security guard at the couple’s gate refused him entry.
“The gate guy turned me away and wouldn’t take the film, just saying ‘they’re not interested.’ I was trying to be neighbourly,” he said.
“We don’t see them very much around here. It’s surprising they came here. People are typically older. It’s where the elephants come to die.” He said.
Meghan and Harry made California their home in July 2020, settling in a property reportedly valued at $14.7 million (£11.2 million), as per TMZ.
Back then, a representative for the couple informed The Independent, “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex relocated to their family home in July this year.”
“They have settled into the quiet privacy of their community since their arrival and hope that this will be respected for their neighbours, as well as for them as a family.”
After relocating to the US, Harry has made several trips back to the UK, including attending the late Queen’s funeral, the King’s Coronation, and appearing in court for his legal dispute with The Daily Mirror.