'Financially independent' Prince Harry and Meghan paid for UK trip themselves, reveal royal sources
Royal sources have reported that the Sussexes have found some financial independence ever since they paid for their own flight when travelling to the United Kingdom for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. Moreover, they said that the couple's decision to pay $2.4 million to renew the lease of Frogmore Cottage, their home in Windsor, was a wise decision and a "good deal" for the couple.
According to a report by the Daily Mail, a royal source, speaking of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's newly found financial independence, said, "Great achievement for them … which has now been achieved."
READ MORE
Meghan Markle and Harry could become a '$1 billion brand' after Oprah interview, reveal sources
Harry and Meghan Markle to inherit chunk of Prince Philip's $42.4M fortune: Source
Accounts revealed that the amount Harry and Meghan paid for the renovation of their former marital home included some undisclosed future rental costs. As a family, they used it only once ever since they moved to the United States. Moreover, the couple is also financing the general maintenance, including garden maintenance, taxpayer-funded sovereign grants, and undertaking bigger tasks that include activities outside the home.
Frogmore, a Grade-2 listed property owned by the Crown Estate, was a gift from Harry’s grandmother, the Queen. The rent amount has been calculated independently and is based on market price, as stated by senior royals. They added, "I can be confident that this is a similarly good deal for sovereign grants and taxpayers."
Speaking of the reunion where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's daughter Lilibet met her great-grandmother and the rest of the family for the first time during the latter's Platinum Jubilee celebrations, a senior royal noted, "The Prince of Wales had a 'very emotional' first meeting." During their interview with Oprah Winfrey, Prince Harry opened up about having a frustrating relationship with his father who claims that he abandoned him financially. However, a royal aide at Clarence House's annual review said it was surprising to see the Sussexes back in the United Kingdom in early June. "It was fantastic to see them. It was great to have them back in Britain," the source said.
"It was wonderful to have them back in Britain, the Prince and the Duchess were absolutely thrilled to see them. The Prince of course hasn’t seen his grandson Archie for a bit of time and so it was very, very, very special to have some time with him. He hadn’t met Lilibet, his granddaughter, and so to meet her for the first time was I think very emotional, a very wonderful thing," said the royal aide.
How Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may become a $1 billion brand
Experts and columnists have weighed in on their financial future, and by the looks of it, the couple has enough and more to go on. This follows the couple's shocking interview with Winfrey. The Santa Barbara mansion they currently live in is estimated to be worth $14.7 million, and according to Forbes' Ariel Shapiro and Deniz Çam, the couple has enough deals that will see them breeze through the next few decades. Moreover, they have more than one stream of income.
Archewell audio, the duo's first podcast with Spotify was released last December and they signed a three-year podcasting deal with the audio streaming and media services provider, which the site estimates to be roughly between $15 million to $18 million.