Five years after stepping back from royal duties, or "Megxit," Prince Harry and Meghan Markle appear to be living a lavish lifestyle. They reside in a $14 million mansion in Montecito, California, and demand a 24-hour security apparatus, including being chauffeured around one of the safest towns in California. This security setup reportedly costs between $2 to $3 million annually. However, the real issue is that the couple might not be generating enough income to sustain this lifestyle.
After reviewing their financial situation, I’ve come to a startling conclusion: not only are Harry and Meghan potentially draining their resources, but they may have also "killed the golden goose." Among the two of them, one has brought in a significant amount of money, while the other hasn’t — and the answer to who may surprise you. With their recent purchase of a house in Portugal, one must wonder: can they maintain their lifestyle, or will their Portuguese home become a scapegoat for the loss of their Montecito mansion in the future?
Looking at their yearly financial needs, it becomes clear they require a major hit, like the upcoming "American Riviera Orchard," to sustain themselves. Otherwise, they risk losing their luxurious home.
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Now, back to Harry and Meghan. Are they headed for financial trouble? I believe the answer is yes. While this is largely my opinion, based on the resources I’ve reviewed, I think we can draw some logical conclusions about their situation.
When they purchased their house in Portugal, it raised eyebrows. Why? Well, the "golden visa" program that many people used to purchase homes there doesn't actually apply to them. To qualify, they would need to invest about $500,000 in the country, which makes me wonder if they have the capital to pull this off. Their lifestyle is more aligned with that of billionaires, yet they may be operating on a millionaire’s budget — one that is quickly dwindling.
This leads us to a major question: can "American Riviera Orchard" be the hit they need to save their financial situation? Without a significant success, I foresee them potentially losing their Montecito mansion.
Let’s break down their finances a bit more. Initially, Harry likely brought around $10 million into the marriage from his inheritance, which, adjusted for inflation, could be closer to $15 or $20 million today. Meghan, on the other hand, might not have had much. While some reports suggest she had around $5 million, I believe it was closer to $1 or $2 million, as much of her income likely went into PR efforts during her acting career.
Combined, their net worth was probably around $30 million at the time of their marriage — a significant sum, but far from what they would need to maintain their current lifestyle.
Since stepping back from royal duties, Harry’s memoir, *Spare*, has reportedly earned him around $30 million, thanks to a $20 million advance and additional sales. Meghan’s book, *The Bench*, earned her significantly less — around $600,000. The couple also had deals with Netflix and Spotify, but these haven’t panned out as they had hoped. Their Netflix deal was rumored to be worth $100 million, but I estimate they've only earned about $25 million from it. Their Spotify deal was even less fruitful, with reports suggesting they made around $5 million.
Altogether, the couple could have earned up to $155 million from these ventures, but it appears they’ve left around $90 million on the table due to missed opportunities, underwhelming content, and sheer incompetence.
After taxes and other expenses, including a hefty $10 million donation to their Archewell foundation, they may only have around $30 million left. This might sound like a lot, but their lifestyle requires far more. Estimates suggest they spend around $2 to $3 million annually on security alone, a figure that seems excessive for their level of public relevance.
The backlash that Harry and Meghan receive is often more about annoyance than actual hatred; most people don't genuinely wish them harm. While they may require some security, especially with their high-profile status, the need for constant, around-the-clock protection—particularly in a place like Montecito, which is considered one of the safest cities in California—seems excessive. I believe their desire for such extensive security stems more from narcissism and ego than from genuine threat.
Now, let’s dive into their financial obligations. One significant expense is their property taxes, which amount to approximately $146,000 annually. Living in California certainly contributes to this hefty bill. When considering other costs associated with maintaining a large home—such as a mortgage and household staff—it’s reasonable to estimate that they spend at least $2 million a year on various household-related expenses.
With a property that spans between 16,000 to 18,000 square feet and sits on an acre or two of land, maintenance alone can quickly add up to six figures. This includes everything from landscaping to general upkeep. They also need to factor in insurance costs. Given California's high fire risk, insurance rates can be exorbitant; some companies have been known to charge rates as high as 50% of the mortgage cost. There are reports of some insurance providers, like State Farm, contemplating exiting the California market entirely due to these financial pressures.
If we consider their mortgage, they could potentially be paying between $225,000 and $292,000 per month if they opted for a 7 to 10-year adjustable-rate mortgage. That alone could push their yearly mortgage expenses close to $2 million.
Additionally, Meghan Markle’s lifestyle might necessitate around $5 million annually just to satisfy her needs. As her ego grows, it seems she requires more resources to maintain her desired standard of living. When you add it all together—mortgage payments, insurance, property taxes, and household staff—you're looking at a staggering annual expense.
Overall, I estimate their yearly costs could range from $10 to $15 million to sustain their lifestyle. This estimate takes into account $2 to $3 million for security, $2 million for mortgage-related costs, and other miscellaneous expenses. While this is a rough estimation, it highlights the financial demands they face in maintaining their current way of life.
When it comes to maintaining Meghan Markle's lifestyle, the costs are staggering. Even without considering her expenses, the couple faces a minimum of $10 million a year just to sustain their way of living. This estimate does not include taxes or additional costs they might incur, which could further inflate that number. Over the last five years, they’ve managed to generate only about $30 million (minus taxes), which indicates they are overextended financially. While Harry's inheritance provides some cushion, the financial burden is unsustainable; they simply can't keep up.
Additionally, they seem to have jeopardized their "Golden Goose" of income, which is critical to their financial stability. I came across an interesting article in Parade that delves into Harry's net worth, projected to be around $60 million in 2024. This figure is based largely on his royal lineage and the lucrative contracts he has secured. However, it raises an important question: can Harry's income truly match or exceed their annual living expenses?
According to Parade, Harry's net worth is indeed estimated at $60 million, primarily derived from his contracts and inheritance. However, it’s crucial to recognize that Harry and Meghan do not exactly lead a frugal lifestyle. Their spending habits appear to have vastly outpaced their earnings, especially considering they took out a $10 million mortgage. In contrast, Prince William, with his Duchy of Cornwall holdings, is valued at over a billion dollars.
Harry inherited approximately $8.5 million from the Queen Mother, which seems to have played a significant role in financing their recent property purchases, including the house in Portugal. Timing is telling; he receives this inheritance and almost immediately invests in real estate. While it's challenging to pinpoint the exact price of the Portuguese home, I would estimate it to be in the range of $500,000 to $1 million. However, knowing Meghan’s preferences, it wouldn't be surprising if the actual figure was closer to $4 million.
A thought occurred to me that adds a new layer to their financial situation: the couple may not fully comprehend the extent of their spending relative to their income. This realization is crucial as they navigate their financial future.
When it comes to financial success in their partnership, it appears that Harry has been the more prosperous one. Despite Meghan's recent endeavors, it seems she may end up as the primary breadwinner in their future, primarily through her American Riviera Orchard venture. Sure, she might be working a bit more than Harry, who has thrown up his hands and opted for a more laid-back approach to work, but let’s be real—Harry is the one bringing in the cash.
The reality is that they might be spending around $10 million a year just to maintain their lifestyle, while they’ve only managed to pull in about $30 million over the last four years after taxes. This raises a significant question: how will they continue to fund their lifestyle? Meghan's American Riviera Orchard needs to be an overwhelming success, but there’s a concern that Meghan isn't as widely liked as Harry and doesn't have the same marketability. This puts them in a precarious situation—if this venture fails, they could be in serious trouble.
Looking back at their home purchase, I can't help but think that a property priced between $3 million and $5 million would have been much more economical than the nearly $15 million they spent. Sure, the large house offers privacy, but they need to generate enough income to support that choice. They are trying to maintain a billionaire's lifestyle on a dwindling millionaire's budget, which simply doesn't add up.
Another interesting point is that they chose not to film American Riviera Orchard in their home. While privacy concerns could be a factor, showcasing their life at home could enhance the show’s appeal. However, if they avoid filming there, it allows them to step away if the venture fails without tying their success to the property. This could be a strategic move, but it also reflects their uncertain financial future.
Meghan is trying to carve out a new path as an entrepreneur, but I'm skeptical. They seem to lack the capital necessary to make that a reality. While they might leverage Netflix for funding, relying solely on that income stream poses a significant risk. If they produce products that don't sell, they could find themselves in a dire financial situation.
It’s fascinating—and somewhat concerning—to see how they’ve inadvertently shot themselves in the foot. Harry's financial success has been largely due to his royal background, and without that, they would struggle to maintain their current lifestyle. They’ve proven to be unsuccessful on their own, and now they're facing a make-or-break moment. They have about a year to make American Riviera Orchard work, and with seven months gone since its launch without tangible results, it raises questions about their competence.
Moreover, their inability to prove themselves in Hollywood has been a significant setback. They may possess talents in other areas, but content creation and entrepreneurship do not appear to be among them. I believe Meghan’s strategy of solely investing in female-led businesses might limit her opportunities, causing her to miss out on lucrative male-led ventures.
So far, they've reportedly lost over $90 million, which paints a bleak picture of their financial health. Their recent purchase in Portugal doesn’t help their image, as it can come off as frivolous, especially when they’re struggling to sustain their current lifestyle. This could even be an escape plan for Harry to be closer to his family, but if they can’t afford it, what does that say about their choices?
Their spending appears to far exceed their earnings. They seem to be counting their chickens before they hatch with American Riviera Orchard, and if they’re not careful, this could lead to significant financial consequences. I’m curious to see if Meghan might resort to writing a memoir, which could potentially yield more financial rewards than her current endeavors.
