NFL Legend Reveals Why He’s Never ‘Hanging’ With Prince Harry And Meghan

The former NFL star shared some interesting insight into the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s lives in Montecito while taking a playful jab at their alcohol choice.

Troy Aikman’s remarks come after some Montecito locals criticized Meghan Markle for being “distant” and having a “controlled image.”

NFL Hall of Famer Aikman revealed in a recent interview with Us Weekly that he hasn’t had any run-ins with his high-profile Montecito neighbors, Harry and Meghan, and that he doesn’t expect to.

“I haven’t run into them,” Aikman said. “But they are there from what I can gather. I think anyone with a heartbeat knows that they’re out there. But I’m not hanging with them, that’s for sure.”

While promoting his Eight Elite Light Beer brand, he joked that the royals likely aren’t fans of his brew. “I don’t think they’re drinking much light beer,” he quipped.

Since the Sussexes moved to the upscale California enclave of Montecito in 2020, their presence has stirred mixed reactions among longtime residents, with several claiming that the community doesn’t feel their presence.

A Montecito resident, Richard Mineards, weighed in on Harry and Meghan’s presence in the upscale community, noting a sharp contrast between the couple’s public personas.

According to Mineards, Meghan, who has reportedly earned the nickname “the Princess of Montecito,” tends to keep her distance from the neighborhood’s laid-back vibe.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, he remarked, “She cultivates a very controlled image. She pays attention to every appearance, every word, every gesture. And here in Montecito, we appreciate simple people, even famous ones.”

Mineards continued, “Oprah Winfrey, for example, shows up at charity events. Meghan doesn’t play the community game.”

In contrast to Meghan, Mineards noted that the local perception of Harry is considerably more favorable.

“He is always charming, approachable, with that very recognizable Windsor accent. He smiles, shakes hands, willingly exchanges a few words,” he shared.

The journalist mentioned that Harry has been spotted casually enjoying the town “at the beach, in an organic coffee shop, or cycling in the hills.”

“Harry has kept his good-natured side. We feel he is more at ease here, even with his personal struggles,” Mineards added.

Despite the criticism, not all locals share that sentiment. Actress Sharon Stone offered a contrasting view in a 2020 interview with Access Hollywood, praising the couple’s intention to integrate rather than isolate.

“You know, the thing about them that is so great is they didn’t come here to live off of our community,” she said. “They came here to be a part of our community.”

The “Basic Instinct” actress went on to share a neighborly story: “My friend said she was sitting in her car, and they bicycled across the street and waved at her while she was sitting at the red light. They’re a part of our community.”

She continued, “They’ve become a giving, caring, participating part of our community. They’re not here to be like, ‘Would you like to kiss my butt?'”

Aikman’s remarks followed Meghan’s revealing conversation on a recent podcast episode hosted by her close friend Emma Grede, the British CEO of Good American and founding partner of Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS brand.

During the candid chat, Grede posed a striking question: “If you could rewrite your public narrative from scratch, is there anything you would do differently?”

With a composed expression, the duchess replied, “Yes, I would ask people to tell the truth.”

Grede suggested that constant false narratives must be infuriating, to which Meghan responded by recalling a piece of wisdom from her longtime friend, tennis icon Serena Williams.

The royal said, “My dear friend Serena, she told me years ago: ‘A lie can’t live forever.'”

She then chuckled, before adding, “Eight years is a long time, but not forever,” clearly referencing the length of time since she and Harry’s relationship first became public.