Since the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, there has been significant public curiosity about how her wealth and assets were distributed among the British royal family. Although her will remains private, reports have suggested which family members have inherited portions of her vast estate, shedding light on the complexities of royal inheritance.
Prince William, for example, inherited the title of Prince of Wales when his father, King Charles III, ascended to the throne. With this title came the Duchy of Cornwall, an estate valued at over $1 billion, providing William with considerable financial resources and responsibility. On the other hand, Prince Harry’s inheritance from the Queen is believed to be much smaller, around $8.5 million, though it has sparked some controversy due to his estranged relationship with the royal family and his publicized media ventures.
Harry’s various financial deals, such as his Netflix and Spotify contracts, have also been in the spotlight. While the couple’s Netflix deal was initially reported to be worth $48 million, insiders claim that they only received about $22.3 million due to project challenges. Their Spotify contract, valued at $29.8 million, was terminated in 2023 because of unmet productivity expectations. The most substantial sum Harry has earned so far is from his memoir *Spare*, for which he reportedly received a $29.8 million advance. Despite these ventures, some reports suggest that his inheritance from the Queen may be a crucial financial buffer for him and Meghan moving forward.
Rumors have circulated about a lavish birthday party that Meghan Markle was reportedly planning for Harry’s 40th birthday. However, the party seemed to face difficulties, with some of Harry’s old friends from the UK hesitant to attend and his royal cousins undecided. Reports also suggested that Meghan expected Harry to tap into his royal inheritance to fund the event, but he was reluctant to spend large amounts of money, preferring to save it for their children’s future.
Meanwhile, the royal family, particularly Prince William and Princess Catherine, were reportedly upset by the news of Harry receiving any share of the Queen’s estate, feeling that his estrangement from the family and public criticism of the monarchy made him undeserving of such an inheritance. This sentiment highlights the ongoing strain between Harry and his family, especially his brother William, with whom he has not spoken in two years.
King Charles has also maintained a distant relationship with Harry. Despite Harry’s recent visits to London, Charles has been too busy to meet with him, further emphasizing the rift between them. Speculation suggests that this strained relationship may have lasting effects, with some even predicting that Harry will not be invited to significant future royal events.
Harry’s inheritance, though substantial, has not repaired the damage done to his relationships with his family. As his public revelations through interviews, documentaries, and his memoir have reached a point of saturation, public interest in his story may be waning. This could mark a turning point, where future media deals might not be as lucrative as in the past, leaving Harry with fewer options to share his narrative.
In the end, while Harry and Meghan continue to build their lives in California, the cost of their independence—particularly in terms of strained family ties—remains high. The inheritance may provide Harry with financial stability, but the emotional and personal damage to his relationships with King Charles and Prince William may take much longer to mend, if at all.
