Could Prince Harry’s Montecito mansion soon have a for-sale sign in front of it? That’s the question being whispered in palace quarters as news broke that the King’s son could be facing a devastatingly large legal bill after losing his privacy lawsuit against the Daily Mail, with the publisher seeking a whopping $79 million in compensation.
Following an 11-week trial, Harry, 41, alongside a slew of other high-profile claimants, including Sir Elton John and Elizabeth Hurley, lost their case, with the defendants arguing the claimants should pay back the full costs incurred by the publisher, adding that the celebrities acted “unreasonably” during the case.
“Harry and Meghan’s financial situation is tighter than two coats of paint – and getting worse as each month goes by,” an insider tells Woman’s Day.
“The legal bills Harry’s facing from his UK court loss are going to hammer their net worth, most of which is tied up in property, and they can’t find a backer for any of their film and TV projects since Netflix walked away.”
A royal struggle
With an eye-watering mortgage hanging over them, the couple has been desperately lining up screen projects, but several have stalled or been dropped – even a rather wholesome programme about Girl Scout biscuits is floundering due to Harry and Meghan, 45, being attached.
“No one wants to work with them and they’ve burned the only person who could probably save them – Kris Jenner – by overshadowing her big birthday bash,” our source notes.
“Meghan can’t even get an acting job as any production, no matter how good, would turn into just another ‘Meghan show’.
“It’s sad to say, but her company As Ever is not doing well at all and instead of being the income saviour they desperately needed, it may end up being another burden. “Already retailers are losing interest in stocking it, which is bad news for the huge amount of unsold stock heading towards its expiry date. And Netflix has gone very quiet about the equity stake they were considering a year ago.”
A father’s dilemma
With the full legal costs from his court defeat still unknown, Harry is said to be considering turning to the only person left able to help him – his dear pa.
Father and son recently took tentative steps to heal their relationship, with Harry, Meghan and their kids visiting the King, 77, at Highgrove House last month.
“Charles has been watching everything unfold from afar,” says our insider.
“He knows how expensive running the Montecito house would be, as well as paying for private security, and he knows his son is likely in financial – and marriage – strife. It’s only a matter of time before he comes, cap in hand, asking for money. “All he wants is for Harry to be happy, but he doesn’t want to end up being ‘the Bank of Meghan and Harry’ for the foreseeable future.”
Making matters worse, the couple’s money troubles are adding pressure to their already strained relationship, with divorce rumours still swirling.
Our source warns, “With so much money coming out and little coming in, it spells disaster.”
