Meghan Markle's alleged fury over King Charles' plan to withdraw £10 million from Prince Harry's children's trust fund. Tensions have remained high between the Sussexes and the royal family since Harry and Meghan stepped back from their senior royal roles in 2020, relocating to California and giving several candid interviews criticizing the monarchy.
According to a report published in the UK tabloid The Sun, King Charles is reportedly frustrated by Harry's continued criticisms of the monarchy in American media interviews, and he has decided to take action. The report claims that King Charles has instructed royal financial experts to investigate the multi-million pound trust funds set up for his grandchildren, Archie and Lilibet, by Prince William and the late Queen Elizabeth II.
It's reported that two separate trust funds, each containing around £2 to £3 million, were established for Archie and Lilibet a few years ago. The funds were initially funded by Prince William and matched by funds from the Queen Mother's personal wealth before her passing. These trusts were intended to be managed until Archie and Lilibet each turned 18, at which point they would gain full access to the funds to use as they wished as adults.
However, King Charles is said to have different ideas now. Sources close to Charles indicate that he believes it is no longer appropriate for Harry's children to receive such substantial financial gifts, especially since they have lost their HRH status and Prince Harry is no longer a working royal. Charles reportedly feels frustrated that Harry continues to use his royal connections and upbringing to criticize the monarchy while also benefiting financially from his royal ties through deals with Netflix and Spotify.
The new plan being considered by King Charles and his advisers involves withdrawing £10 million from the children's trust funds and redirecting the money to royal charities or other members of the royal family. According to sources, this decision has infuriated Meghan Markle. Sources close to Meghan suggest she is deeply upset by King Charles' proposal to cut off Archie and Lilibet's access to their inheritance. Meghan reportedly believes the funds were intended to provide financial support to Harry's children regardless of their titles or status. She sees this move as yet another example of the royal family trying to undermine her family and their independence.
Sources also claim that Meghan views the royal family's actions as discriminatory, especially towards Archie and Lilibet, due to her biracial American background. She allegedly believes the children should not be excluded from future plans because of family dramas between the royals and the Sussexes. Meghan has argued that the primary purpose of the children's inheritance was to ensure financial stability and support for Archie and Lilibet as direct descendants of future monarchs and sovereigns.
On the other hand, royal insiders speaking to The Sun defend King Charles' right to decide the appropriate use of royal funds and trusts, especially since Archie and Lilibet no longer hold royal titles and HRH status. They argue that since Harry and Meghan are no longer senior working royals, a reconsideration of the children's inheritance is necessary.
Interestingly, another source mentioned that King Charles and royal officials are reviewing all future funds for minor royals to ensure greater oversight and fairness. There are concerns about some family members relying too heavily on financial handouts rather than contributing financially.
The focus on Harry specifically in this review appears deliberate, suggesting a pointed effort to reassess his children's financial arrangements amidst broader royal financial scrutiny.
This situation underscores ongoing tensions within the royal family and highlights the complex dynamics surrounding financial independence and familial responsibilities. As developments unfold, it remains to be seen how Harry, Meghan, and the royal family will navigate these sensitive issues moving forward.
