Prince Harry and Meghan Markle under pressure to give up their royal titles to stop them cashing in after quitting
HARRY and Meghan are under intense pressure to give up their royal titles — to stop them cashing in.
They could earn hundreds of millions if they retain royal status despite “stepping back”.
Critics called it a “joke” that they want “financial independence” while keeping taxpayer-funded security, travel, housing and £2.3 million a year from Prince Charles.
Royal author Ingrid Seward said: “How can they remain working members of the Firm and be paid for deals with Disney or Apple?
“It will lead to huge conflicts of interest, not to mention accusations of cash for access.
HARRY'S WORTH
PRINCE Harry is said to be worth about £30million. The Duke of Sussex was left money — now worth £20million — by mum Diana when she died.
He also received £7million from the Queen Mother, his great-grandmother, who paid it into a trust fund in 1994.
Harry, 35, will receive a further £4million when he reaches 40.
“Surely they will have to relinquish their titles and royal status? Or it just won’t work.
“If they want to keep Frogmore Cottage, they’d need to pay the appropriate rent and not get it for free.”
The Sussexes want to stay in their five-bedroom Windsor mansion — renovated with £3million of taxpayers’ cash.
'BREAKS EVERY PROTOCOL'
Graham Smith, of pressure group Republic, said: “Duke and Duchess of Sussex are official titles granted by Britain’s head of state.
“They are there to be used for official business, not private profit.
“The same goes for their royal protection detail.
“If this were a politician cashing in on their public position it would be called out as corruption.”
Buckingham Palace has made it clear that Harry and Meghan have outlined their “wishes”, but nothing is decided and it is a “hugely tricky process”.
MEGHAN'S WORTH
MEGHAN is believed to have about £5million behind her.
She earned £500,000 for her role as Rachel Zane in US legal drama Suits.
Money has also come in from appearances in movies including Remember Me, The Candidate and a 30-second cameo on Horrible Bosses.
She earned £61,000 a year from her lifestyle blog, The Tig, plus cash from her fashion line for a Canadian brand.
One courtier said: “How can you have, say, Prince Harry signing a sponsorship deal to wear a certain watch.
“And then the next day, representing the Queen at a royal engagement, wearing that watch for publicity.
“It just wouldn’t work and breaks every protocol and rule.
“How can they represent the UK on tours abroad, when potentially taking money from goodness knows where?
“The couple are trying to solve this issue in the short-term, when it’s just not possible.
“There is a willingness to try to give them what they want, but it will take some time to sort out how it will all work.”
Another courtier said: “It’s not necessarily that they get bad advice, it’s just they don’t take good advice.”
'TRADING ON ROYAL NAME'
One marketing expert said: “If Kylie Jennner can be worth a billion dollars it’s entirely realistic that the Sussexes could make a billion pounds.”
UK branding expert Claire Shiels said the couple’s value could quickly challenge the Beckhams, worth £700million.
The couple trademarked their Sussex Royal brand on more than 100 items six months ago.
Andy Barr, of price tracking website Alertr said: “Their trademarked merchandise will just be the stepping stone for higher value products.
“Undoubtedly this will be a multi-million pound revenue business given they are effectively trading on the back of the Royal name which is ironic given they are seemingly trying to escape its clutches.”
Meghan and Harry are currently funded by taxpayers’ cash, through the Sovereign Grant and Charles through the Duchy of Cornwall, plus their own fortunes.
THEIR INCOME
THE couple get £2million a year from Prince Charles’s £1.2billion Duchy of Cornwall estate.
They also receive an unknown amount from the taxpayer-funded Sovereign Grant.
It was estimated at £2million but on their website the couple claim it makes up only five per cent — £100,000 — of their funding.
Another £750,000 a year comes from taxpayers for security and travel, which may be cut if they resign their titles.
The £2.4million renovation of Frogmore Cottage in Windsor was also funded by the taxpayer.
Last year William and Harry shared a Duchy handout of £5million.
The Sussexes said the money from Charles pays 95 per cent of their office expenditure.
Five per cent came from the Sovereign Grant — which they will give up.
Harry’s other wealth comes from his inheritance from his mum, Princess Diana, now worth an estimated £20m.
He also banked £7million from the Queen Mother.
Meghan’s net worth of around £4million comes from her acting career.
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Last night, the households of the Queen, Charles and William were trying to work through what Harry and Meghan want.
One royal source said: “We are all trying to solve the conundrum. Are the family disappointed? Yes. But furious? No.
“We’ve all just got to get on with it and make this work.”
THEIR SPENDING
THE couple, classed as “internationally protected”, get £600,000 for 24-hour armed security. This may change if their titles go.
They spend £150,000 on travel costs for royal duties such as a trip to Australia in May, right. A private secretary costs up to £146,000 and a nanny for Archie will command £100,000.
A housekeeper, two personal assistants and two orderlies at Frogmore Cottage, will probably earn from £20,000 to £40,000.
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