The multi-million pound California mansion home of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ’s is being engulfed by an stomach-churning whiff from a nearby bird refuge.
The awful smell has also hit the properties of A-list neighbours Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres, Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom, it has been reported. And it has been added to a lengthening list of woes affecting the couple's Hollywood lifestyle.
A local in Montecito said: “It smells like offal that has been rotting in the sun. It makes my stomach churn. I’ve seen lots of homeowners closing their windows when it wafts over.”
The stench is coming from the Andrée Clark Bird Refuge, a 42-acre saltwater marsh, the Mirror reports.
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Local officials say the problem is likely to continue until improvement works are completed this autumn. Cameron Benson, clean water manager for the City of Santa Barbara, said: “Water can become stagnant there. The odour issues are sporadic and sometimes they are worse in some conditions.”
The bird smell is the latest reason for Prince Harry, 37, and Meghan, 40, to complain about the home they share with children Archie, two, and Lilibet, seven months.
Newspapers have claimed the pair have had to suffer smells from a nearby cannabis farm, while they are not “over the moon” with the £11million property and are enquiring about other houses.
Speaking about the bird refuge, Mr Benson added: “Our goal is to improve water quality and wildlife habitat there.”
On Thursday Harry was mocked over his web lecture for corporate coaching firm BetterUp on how to avoid burnout where he recommended taking time-out from a job to recharge batteries and focus on themselves.
One critic wrote: “Just think of those who have worked long hours and still can’t make ends meet, it must be very difficult being a millionaire for him and his family.”
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