The California royals have some big decisions ahead of them if they want to keep up their lux lifestyle!
Ever since walking away from the royal family, the budget has grown tighter and tighter for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. With more necessary charges on their tab — like finally having to pay for their own private security — and suffering brutal career blows, finances haven’t been the best in years. And now, it’s all on the momma bear to figure this out!
Sources told Page Six on Wednesday that Meghan is “basically the breadwinner” in the family — but “money is tight.” Another insider revealed the couple has a STAGGERING average annual expense, needing at least $6 million a year for operating expenses in Montecito. Jeez! That would make anyone sweat!
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The duo spends about $3 million of that amount on private security for the family, and they also have to make mortgage payments on their $15 million mansion, the outlet learned.
The good news? They’ve got a lot of wealthy friends! Meghan, especially, has many powerful female pals who she can turn to for help financially, such as Lauren Sánchez Bezos and IT Cosmetics founder Jamie Kern Lima, both of whom just liked her recent As Ever promo post.
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Apparently, Jamie flew Meghan to the G9 Ventures Summer Summit, hosted by investor Amy Griffin, in the Hamptons back in July 2024, shortly before the launch of the Duchess of Sussex’s business. It pays to have friends in high places — they can get her in front of the people that matter most when it comes to making big business deals!
While the lifestyle brand should be a steady form of income for the star, she’s also diving into new ventures, like becoming an investor and featured participant on the AI-powered fashion discovery platform, OneOff. Fans can shop her wardrobe, and she gets a commission. Seeing as everyone’s always talking about what the royal women are wearing anyway, it’s a smart move — but many folks weren’t pleased with it! The 44-year-old was slammed for putting her Australia tour trip outfits on the platform, which made it look like she was prioritizing profit over charity work. But desperate times call for desperate measures!
As we all know, Netflix isn’t renewing her show, With Love, Meghan, for a third season, and they cut ties with the lifestyle brand. Sources told the outlet that Meghan had been left to “carry the whole thing by herself,” annoying a lot of Netflix staff.
Amid all this, rumors this week swirled that the mother of two is ready to dive back into acting again — even speaking to high-up folks in Hollywood about it. Insiders have claimed she wants a steady role on a TV show! Just like her old Suits days! But while she already filmed a cameo for an upcoming flick, Sussex sources vehemently shut down this speculation — insisting she’s not putting her full-time acting hat back on. But, hey, if money really dries up, it’s a safe bet for some quick cash!
Interestingly, while Meghan’s doing everything she can to bring home the dough, her hubby is taking a very different approach! He wasn’t paid for his speaking engagement at the InterEdge Summit in Australia. Really?? Wow!
He’s focused on his passion projects, like the Invictus Games. He also signed on as the Chief Impact Officer for BetterUp in 2021, which came with a rumored $1 million salary, and sources confirmed he still works there. But back in 2024, an ex-employee claimed to The Daily Beast that he had “zero” daily responsibilities and at the time, the company was forced to layoff a bunch of workers and was facing backlash from contractors over modified pay. Messy! It may not be bringing in the same amount of money for Harry as once reported, then.
It seems like it’s really up to Meghan to start pumping out even more jam! Her family’s lifestyle depends on it! What lengths will she go if they get really strapped for cash?? Sounds like almost everything’s on the table!
Are y’all surprised Meghan’s the breadwinner over a literal prince? Sound OFF (below)!
[Image via MEGA/WENN & Jamie Kern Lima Show/YouTube]
