When Harry and Meghan embarked on their journey away from their senior royal roles in the United Kingdom to forge a new life in North America, they appeared to be on the cusp of limitless opportunities.
The late Queen had envisioned the couple capitalizing on their global fame, granting them prominent positions such as chairman and vice-chairman at the Queen's Commonwealth Trust. They were also allowed to undertake charitable work in various areas, including the military, the Invictus Games, mental health, and support for disenfranchised communities. There was immense promise in these endeavors.
However, things took a different turn when the couple decided to step back from their royal duties, a decision that became known as the "Megxit" agreement. While they retained the Sussex title, they relinquished their Royal Highness styling in exchange for the autonomy to earn their own income. The Queen, despite her disappointment, extended a 12-month grace period in the hopes that they might reconsider their decision. However, their subsequent actions took a toll on their relationship with the royal family.
The situation escalated with Prince Philip's hospitalization, during which Harry and Meghan chose to share their side of the story in an interview with Oprah Winfrey, causing significant damage to the royal family's reputation. This was followed by the passing of Queen Elizabeth, and the release of a six-part Netflix series featuring Harry and Meghan, which brought further controversy. Harry's candid autobiography further strained relations within the royal family, especially with his brother and father, to the extent that communication nearly ceased.
Now, Harry and Meghan are facing both financial and personal pressures as consequences for their actions. It's worth noting that Harry will not receive an inheritance from Prince Charles, except for some personal items. The majority of the estate, including Balmoral, Sandringham, most jewelry, and artwork, will belong to the next king, with no equal distribution among the children. Any further inheritance would come in the form of a trust, similar to the one established for the boys after Princess Diana's passing.
Previously, King Charles had arranged a trust ranging from £5 million to £10 million for Harry or his children, with provisions to withdraw income starting from a specific future date to avoid inheritance tax. However, as circumstances changed with Harry's marriage to Meghan, the king decided to remove Harry's name from the trust establishment plan, leaving Meghan without any financial guarantees in case of a future divorce. This situation adds to Meghan's concerns, potentially leading to more public incidents and strains in her relationships.
Harry might find himself in a position where he needs to seek forgiveness and reconciliation in order to secure his inheritance from Charles. In the meantime, he may have sufficient resources to lead a quiet life away from the public eye until any tensions and controversies surrounding him gradually fade away.
