Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly dismissed a bombshell article about them, which was published by Vanity Fair over the weekend.
According to The Times, a source close to the couple said they found the piece “distressing”, but have dismissed the article’s shock allegations.
The cover story, titled ‘American Hustle’, examined their lives and business ventures in the five years since their official departure from the Royal Family in 2020.
The article made several claims about their marriage, business challenges, and community relations in Montecito, California – where they currently live with their two children Archie and Lilibet.
A number of locals in the upscale celebrity community claimed that some people view the pair as “local villains.”
In a series of scathing comments, wealthy residents in the affluent community of Montecito criticised Harry and Meghan for transforming their once-calm neighbourhood into a bustling tourist and fast-car park.
The pair’s drawbacks include an increase in out-of-town visitors, the inability to secure a walk-in reservation at Lucky’s, a steakhouse they attend regularly, and rising real estate costs.

One fuming local said: “They moved away from England to get away from the scrutiny of the press and all they do is try and get in the press in the United States.”
The piece also explored claims that Meghan was “bullying” staff members, an accusation she has vehemently denied in the past.
The article claimed that the Duchess of Sussex could be “really, really awful” when things didn’t go her way.

Citing multiple sources who have worked for the Sussexes, the piece alleged Meghan would be “warm and effusive” towards employees before turning “cold and withholding toward the person she perceived to be responsible” when something went wrong.
One insider claimed things went poorly “often due to Meghan and Harry’s own demands”.
The “hit piece” also speculated on rumours about the couple’s marriage and whether Meghan had been approached to write a “post-divorce” book.
However, the article insisted that divorce was not on the horizon, and quoted sources who said that “their love is real” and “they are hot for each other”.