Why Harry and Meghan’s Grand Montecito Farewell Was Scrapped at the Last Minute
The Sussexes wanted to throw a big farewell bash before leaving California, but plans had to be changed according to circumstances.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle moved back to Britain with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, just days after their relocation was announced. Leaving their beloved Montecito home behind, their sudden move to Harry’s homeland certainly raised a lot of eyebrows. However, it turns out this calm and quiet move was not the original plan. According to reports, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were actually planning to have a grand farewell party at their California home, but this idea was later scrapped, all thanks to an unexpected reason, as insiders revealed to Rob Shuter on his Naughty But Nice Substack.
Furthermore, insiders reported that the Sussexes’ farewell bash was supposed to feature an A-list guest list, but their celebrity friends were apparently just too busy to attend. The Duke and Duchess were reportedly planning to throw this grand evening to thank their friends who helped them build a beautiful life in the United States. This list reportedly included Tyler Perry, Oprah Winfrey, David Foster, Kris Jenner, and several others. Alas, their invites were met with hesitation and unexpected snubs. As one insider put it, “They started quietly feeling people out, and the response was basically crickets!”
Further elaborating on the situation, the insider said, “They imagined this emotional send-off surrounded by the people who welcomed them to America. Instead, everyone was busy. It was embarrassing.” This was followed by their neighbors' claims that Harry and Markle departed from their $14 million Montecito mansion without “any fanfare—no big party, no celebrity parade, no glamorous goodbye.” Meanwhile, another source explained that this turn of events was particularly painful because these figures weren't just acquaintances; they were supposed to be close friends. The source added, “Tyler gave them extraordinary support when they arrived. Oprah gave them a global platform. Harry and Meghan genuinely believed they had built an American family.”
Unfortunately for the Sussexes, these relationships with their ‘so-called friends’ evolved over the years, though they didn't realize it until now. An insider close to the couple also explained the shift, saying, “When there was a royal wedding, a Netflix deal, or a big interview, everybody wanted a seat at the table. For the goodbye party, suddenly nobody could find a free night.” On the other hand, their neighbors also noted that the Duke and Duchess were never able to fully merge into their community and become a part of it. Another insider added to it, saying, “They wanted to leave California surrounded by friends. Instead, they simply left.”
