"Thank God we're rid of them": Harry and Meghan's neighbors in the US break their silence

Last week, Harry and Meghan Markle, along with their two children, Archie (7) and Lilibet (5), left Montecito, California, and returned to the UK. Now, the couple's neighbors in the United States are speaking out. Meghan and Harry never became part of the community, a neighbor of the two in Montecito told the Mail On Sunday.

"You would see him on an electric bike and she would pass by in a Range Rover, but it was always a quick 'swish' and you would miss them. I left a bottle of wine at their gate to welcome them and it was returned to me the next day, unopened. I'm not sure they ever wanted to spend time with anyone who wasn't a billionaire or famous, or both."

Robert Eringer, a writer and long-time resident of Montecito, said that the departure didn't change anything for him: "Personally, it makes no difference to me at all whether they are in Montecito or in the UK. I walk around Montecito a lot and I never saw them. I doubt anyone would have noticed they left if it hadn't been reported in the news, but since it was reported - the general impression is 'Thank God we're rid of them'."

But he is not the only one who claims this: another neighbor, who refused to be identified, said that the couple left quietly, without any drama. According to him, there were no moving trucks, no parties, nothing at all. One day they were here and the next day they were back in England.

However, there were also other voices that spoke in their favor: Wendy Foster, owner of a boutique that bears her name and is considered one of the places Markle used to visit, spoke of the two with affection. "Meghan came to my shops quite a lot, and I must say she was always very polite. I understand why she and Prince Harry want to go back home, their status here doesn't really impress anyone, but in the UK their titles have meaning."

She further added: "Their children have American accents, so it makes sense that Harry in particular would want them to go to school in England. They will have much more social status there than here. I wish them well."

The couple left the Montecito estate exactly as it was - including the active chicken coop and the staff who remained to work on the premises. So, despite the neighbors' talk, it seems that the two are actually planning to return to California at some stage or another, with reports also suggesting that Canada is being considered for the future.