With the news that Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex’s billion-dollar brand has dropped to bargain-basement value, insiders say heir-to-the-throne Prince William is becoming increasingly worried that his brother’s new desire to return to the UK could simply be a plan to get their hands on a share of the King’s sizeable fortune.
In December, it was revealed Charles, 77, was the world’s first billionaire monarch, with some reports suggesting he has amassed a private fortune of $4.2 billion. And while Meghan and Harry’s net worth has been estimated to be around $105 million, the duchess recently admitted on a podcast that even though she feels guilt over having a lot of money, she sometimes thinks, “I’ll never have enough.”
Now royal insiders tell Woman’s Day Meghan, 44, could be banking on getting Harry’s inheritance from the King, as well as other royal relatives. However, William, 43, is said to be upping his bid to have the couple written out of all and any future inheritance plans.
William draws a firm line
“William insists this isn’t about holding grudges or punishing Harry for old wounds,” a palace source tells.
“He says it’s basic common sense and protecting the institution. From his point of view, Harry didn’t just step away quietly – he turned his back on royal life in a very public, hostile way and he cannot reconcile that with the idea of Harry continuing to get financial rewards. “William’s influence inside The Firm counts for a great deal. When he raises concerns, people listen, including his father. He’s probably deeply sceptical about how any funds would actually be used. “Even if the money technically went to Harry, William’s worried about whether it would be quickly redirected to support Meghan’s ambitions.”
Long-running royal tensions
It’s no secret that after Megxit, Charles became increasingly fed up with Harry, 41, and Meghan’s requests for more cash. At the time, the now-late Queen Elizabeth allegedly made efforts to reunite her
son and grandson ahead of her death, after she was placed on light duties due to her reduced mobility.
But when she asked Charles why he was refusing to take Harry’s calls or emails, he reportedly responded, “Because I am not a bank,” referring to the couple’s repeated requests for cash. And William is also said to have concerns over how Harry and Meghan would spend any royal money.
Fears over future fallout
“He worries what could happen financially if the marriage ever collapsed,” says our insider.
“At least this way, he could decide at a later date what to dole out to his brother. “He sees it as his duty to think several steps ahead and to caution others to do the same. In private, he’s been warning senior figures not to be naive. “From William’s perspective, trusting them with any future inheritance would just be madness and he’s said to be determined to do everything in his power to make sure
that door stays firmly shut.
“Aside from his personal disdain for Meghan, he says handing over money to her and Harry, even if it is from an inheritance, would send the wrong message. “To him, it reinforces the idea that you can walk away, criticise the monarchy relentlessly and still cash in later without the sign of any real consequences.”
Harry’s rom-com reveal!
In a surprise move, Prince Harry has nabbed his first rom-com role – and insiders wouldn’t be surprised if he makes a cameo too!
The prince will join Meghan as a producer on Netflix movie The Wedding Date, an adaptation of the book by bestselling author Jasmine Guillory, with Girls Trip co-writer Tracy Oliver signing on too. The plot sees two strangers, Alexa and Drew, become stuck in a hotel elevator during a power outage. With Drew needing a last-minute date for his ex’s wedding, he takes Alexa as his plus-one to the event and the pair fakes a relationship.
“Meghan’s cameo in Close Personal Friends, along with teaming up with Harry to produce other projects, like documentary Cookie Queens, is just the start,” an insider explains of their scheme to run a Reese Witherspoon-style empire.
“Meghan has no plans on taking the lead role as they’re hoping to attract some serious talent to the cast, but she has been brushing up on her acting skills ever since they got the Netflix deal.”
