The Montecito Journal, a must-read for the A-list celebs residing in this posh beach town in Southern California, is usually filled with reports on planning disputes, charity galas, community events and minor crime updates (the latest 'Sheriff's Blotter' column mentions the return of some "lost/stolen mail").
However, the recent 'Grapevine' gossip page might cause a stir over breakfast for two of Montecito's famous residents as it discusses the "speculation" surrounding their marriage following several solo appearances.
The piece is penned by Richard Mineards – who, interestingly enough, was a Fleet Street Royal reporter before relocating to California 13 years ago and joining the Journal. He documents Prince Harry's journey to the WellChild Awards in London and Meghan Markle's visit to Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara, where she allegedly talked about being "one of the most bullied people in the world".
Mineards writes:"It was her second public appearance without Harry since her visit to Children's Hospital Los Angeles on October 5 – as British royal experts continue to speculate the Riven Rock twosome 'are going their separate ways' as they live 'increasingly separate lives'."
Riven Rock is the area of Montecito where Meghan and Harry have set up home with their children, Archie and Lillibet. A new observation about their "separate lives" by a respected local columnist may not be well-received by the couple.
Veteran journalist Richard Mineards, formerly of the Daily Mirror and Daily Mail and now a news anchor for CBS in the States, has previously disclosed that King Charles keeps tabs on his son's family via the Journal's website. Alongside the latest Royal scoops, Mineards's 'Grapevine' column also dishes on recent A-lister sightings in the neighbourhood – recently featuring Katy Perry, Cameron Diaz with her beau Benji Madden, Oprah Winfrey, and Orlando Bloom, reports the Scottish Daily Express.
He always wraps up his bustling column with his signature sign-off: "Pip! Pip! ".