Troy Aikman’s joke on drinking preference of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and why they don't hang out

Pro Football Hall of Famer Troy Aikman may be living the California dream in Montecito, but don’t expect to spot him sipping tea—or light beer—with his famous neighbors, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, anytime soon.

Aikman, the legendary Dallas Cowboys quarterback and current ESPN “Monday Night Football” broadcaster, recently revealed why he hasn’t become friendly with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, despite sharing the same exclusive zip code. “I haven’t run into them,” Aikman told US Weekly. “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.”

Promoting his Eight Elite Light Beer, Aikman joked that he doesn’t picture Harry and Meghan “drinking much light beer,” hinting that their social circles—and beverage preferences—might not overlap. The NFL icon, 58, is known for his disciplined lifestyle and love for fitness, noting that while he enjoys beer, he’s equally passionate about working out and healthy living.


Harry and Meghan moved to Montecito in 2020 after stepping back from royal duties, but their integration into the local community has been a mixed bag. Some residents have called Meghan “the starlet” and blame the couple for busier streets, rising housing prices, and an uptick in tourist traffic. Others, like actress Sharon Stone, have praised the couple for becoming “a giving, caring, participating part of our community,” emphasizing that they’re not trying to be above their neighbors.

Despite the star power concentrated in Montecito—where celebrities like Natalie Portman, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Jeff Bridges also reside—Aikman seems content to keep his interactions casual and his social calendar focused elsewhere. “I don’t think they’re drinking much light beer,” he quipped, making it clear that, royal or not, he’s not angling for an invite to Frogmore Cottage West.

For now, Aikman is gearing up for another NFL season in the broadcast booth with Joe Buck, while Harry and Meghan continue to make headlines with their own projects and public appearances. As for a neighborly barbecue? Don’t count on it—unless, perhaps, someone brings the right six-pack.