The British royal family is called one of the richest monarchies in the world. According to some reports, the total capital of its members is tens of billions of dollars. Queen Elizabeth's fortune is estimated at 500 million, but what are the earnings and income of her main heirs? Although Prince Harry is unlikely to ever ascend the throne, he is as popular as his older brother William. After the marriage to Meghan Markle and the birth of their first child, the financial capabilities of the Duke of Sussex came under scrutiny from the press and fans.
The personal fortune of Prince Harry and his wife
Of course, the British royal family does not seek to advertise their financial affairs. Therefore, the amount of Prince Harry's net worth is very approximate. Various sources give figures from $ 25 to $ 40 million. In addition, the family income of Princess Diana's youngest son comes from the personal fortune of his wife, former actress Meghan Markle.
Although the Duchess of Sussex was not one of the richest Hollywood stars, she managed to earn about $ 5 million during her short film career. For example, for one episode of the series "Force Majeure" that made her famous, Megan received 50 thousand dollars. About 80 thousand were brought to her by advertising contracts and agreements. According to rumors, at the height of her career, the wife of Prince Harry could boast of earning 450 thousand dollars a year. Small roles in films brought her additional income. And even after marriage, Markle continues to receive royalties for participation in long-released films and TV shows, if they are shown again.
Prince Harry's personal income comes from several sources: inheritance, receiving an annual royal allowance, owning jewelry and money earned over 10 years of service in the Armed Forces.
Prince Harry's legacy
Prince Harry, like his brother William, inherited most of his fortune from his mother, the late Princess Diana. At the time of her death in 1997, her personal fortune was about $ 31 million. At the age of 25, Diana made a will, according to which she divided her assets equally between her two sons. However, due to additional conditions, both princes received access to most of the inheritance only after reaching the age of 30. Then their bank accounts were replenished with a lump sum of 10 million pounds, and from the age of 25 Harry and William received dividends in the amount of 450 thousand dollars a year.
But Harry and William inherited large sums of money not only from their mother. The Queen Mother, who is the princes' great-grandmother, also included the great-grandchildren in her will. She left most of the property to her only surviving daughter, Queen Elizabeth of Britain. And for great-grandchildren, she created a special trust fund, where she contributed two-thirds of her income since 1994.
According to the will of the Queen Mother, the sons of Prince Charles received about 14 million pounds, with most of this amount going to Harry. The reason for this division lies in the fact that William is destined to become king. Even after Prince Charles ascends the throne, the current title of father will pass to his older brother Harry, and with it significant financial privileges from the status of heir to the British crown. In particular, the Duke of Cambridge will have at his disposal the Duchy of Cornwall - a private estate, which is the main source of income for Prince Charles.
As William faces better financial support in the future, his great-grandmother decided to financially support Harry. However, the exact ratio in which the brothers divided the Queen Mother's inheritance is still unknown.
Royal allowance
Prince Harry receives a significant portion of his income in the form of an annual royal allowance. This money is paid to him by Prince Charles, financing his sons from the profits that the Duchy of Cornwall brings him. The duchy was founded by Edward II in 1337, and in our time, private estates are the family business of the royal family, consisting of the lease of real estate, land and other lucrative businesses.
According to press reports, Prince Charles' income is up to $ 20 million a year. He gives his sons about $ 1 million annually. In particular, the heir to the British throne reimburses Harry and William for official expenses related to the performance of royal duties - travel, staff and wardrobe. From the personal income of Prince Charles, numerous outfits of his daughters-in-law Megan and Kate are also paid.
Other sources of income
For a long time, the Duke of Sussex worked in paid positions in the British Armed Forces. While serving in the Army Air Corps, he received a salary of $ 45,000 a year. While working as a helicopter pilot with the Army Air Corps, the prince earned about $ 50,000.
He retired in 2015, deciding to focus on royal duties. His main activity concerns the organization and support of various charitable projects. In particular, Harry came up with the Invictus Games sports competition, in which veterans, disabled people and combatants compete among themselves in several disciplines.
The personal fortune of the Duke of Sussex also includes the jewelry of Princess Diana, which he inherited and shared with his brother William. Their list and exact cost are unknown. But fans of the royal family have the opportunity to admire some of the items from this jewelry collection today. Kate Middleton wears a sapphire ring that previously belonged to Diana, and Meghan Markle's wedding ring is adorned with two diamonds from the personal collection of her husband's mother.
Obviously, Prince Harry does not need to work to ensure a comfortable existence for himself and his family. On the other hand, the British taxpayers do not pay him from the treasury for the performance of royal duties. Therefore, in the eyes of the public, he is given more financial freedom than his older brother William.
