Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are burning through their cash at a rapid pace, raising concerns within the Royal Family about the financial implications of their lifestyle and three homes.
The Sussexes' pursuit of financial independence saw them move abroad, and their ventures have included a £100m Netflix deal and Harry's £25m-plus book deal for his 2023 memoir Spare. The memoir contained several controversial claims about the Royal Family.
Property portfolio costs
The couple's property portfolio includes a £14m mansion in Montecito, California; a £3.6m property in Praia da Galé, Portugal; and potentially an £8m mansion in the Cotswolds. It has been estimated that Harry will have to pay almost half-a-million pounds a year just to maintain his nine-bedroom US mansion.
The Montecito property, known as the Chateau of Riven Rock, lies on seven acres east of Santa Barbara. According to Santa Barbara County records, the Sussexes' company, Rockbridge LLC, bought the 7.38-acre estate for £10.81million [$14.65m] in June 2020.
Mortgage and tax burden
It has been reported that the company took out a £7.03million [$9.52m] loan from City National Bank, with an adjustable-rate mortgage starting at 2.49 percent. Based on the 30-year term, Harry and Meghan would be subject to a monthly repayment of £27,729 [$37,566], amounting to £332,749 [$450,792] per year.
In addition to the mortgage, the New York Post previously reported that the couple paid a property tax bill of £110,476 [$149,668] in 2025. This means the Sussexes face roughly a £450,000 bill for mortgage and property tax in the US alone.
They also have to fund the maintenance of their Portuguese property and their new UK home, which require large sums of money every month.
Potential payday concerns
When the Sussexes need a payday, they tend to turn to the royal money tree, which could set alarm bells ringing for King Charles and especially Prince William. If Harry and Meghan decide to offer a big-money exclusive TV chat about their return to Britain, their private Highgrove meeting in July with Queen Camilla and King Charles, or their plans to make peace with William and Kate, it would set the global spotlight on the family's fractured relationships but would be a good pay day.
With Sarah Ferguson reportedly planning an "imminent" return to live in the UK, King Charles and Prince William could be braced for a rocky end to 2026.
