Life behind the gates of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s multi-million dollar California residence has faced persistent turbulence, rooted in a combination of high staff turnover and growing friction within the local employment market.

Since relocating to the affluent Santa Barbara County enclave in 2020, the couple has reportedly struggled to maintain stable domestic help. According to exclusive insider accounts, finding local housekeepers became an increasingly difficult task as negative word-of-mouth spread among domestic workers in the area. Sources allege that the Duchess’s hands-on approach to the hiring process—conducting interviews personally—often left prospective employees feeling alienated by overly rigorous demands and an abrasive demeanor.

Over time, these reported interactions morphed into a running joke among local household staff in the ritzy neighborhood, with workers purportedly steering clear of the property. This domestic friction mirrored broader team adjustments at the estate, including a string of quiet departures among public relations and administrative advisers.

The staffing hurdles come as the household prepares for a major lifestyle shift. Following years of intense media scrutiny in Southern California—which left some neighbors eager for a return to the community’s usual quiet—the family is reportedly planning an extended move back to the United Kingdom, where they intend to reside as private members of the royal family while managing their ongoing business ventures.