The recent revelation that Prince Harry will not be inheriting a single penny from Prince Philip’s will has sparked a heated blame game between him and Meghan Markle.
Instead, it has come to light that a staggering $30 million has been inherited by four other members of the royal family.
The passing of Prince Philip at the age of 99 raised questions about his net worth and who would be the beneficiaries of his substantial fortune.
Much like Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, as the Duke of Edinburgh, accumulated significant wealth over his lifetime.
Apart from receiving an annual royal allowance from the Sovereign Grant, funded by British taxpayers, estimated at $500,000 or £400,000, he also had access to a private portfolio of properties, land, and assets established by the Duchy of Lancaster in 1399.
The Queen herself derived income from the Duchy of Lancaster estate, and the couple shared ownership of various stocks and lands, including Balmoral Castle and Sandringham Estate.
Questions arose regarding whether Harry and Meghan, known as the Harkles, would receive any inheritance from Prince Philip.
Following his demise, the Queen retained his assets, excluding the $30 million allocated to his staff.
However, the decision on whether the couple would benefit from his estate remained uncertain.
Speculation swirled around whether the Queen safeguarded the inheritance to prevent Meghan from accessing it, given her reputation for extravagant spending habits.
The interest accrued from the $30 million alone was deemed sufficient for Harry’s financial security.
In contrast to his frugal nature, Meghan’s lavish expenditures have purportedly drained Harry’s financial resources.
Princess Anne assumed responsibility for distributing Prince Philip’s inheritance, with reports indicating that the couple did not receive any financial bequests due to their strained relations with the royal family.
Allegations surfaced suggesting that Harry’s actions, including selling gifts left by Prince Philip before his passing to appease Meghan, had deeply offended the late Duke.
This rift reportedly led to Prince Philip cutting off contact with Harry from 2019 until his demise in 2021.
It is believed that neither Prince Philip nor the Queen included Harry in their final thoughts or wills, focusing instead on their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who held genuine affection for them.
Concerns have been raised that measures may have been implemented by the royal family to restrict Harry’s access to his trust fund, potentially barring him and Meghan from accessing the principal sum.
Prince Philip’s disappointment over Meghan’s influence on Harry was evident, particularly when Harry sold cherished family heirlooms that held sentimental value and historical significance.
The decision to part ways with these valuable possessions, which depicted shared moments with Prince Philip, was viewed as a test of loyalty that Harry seemingly failed.
Instead of preserving these items or passing them down within the family, Harry chose to sell them, further straining his relationship with his late grandfather.
The saga surrounding Prince Philip’s will underscores the deep-rooted tensions within the royal family and the diverging paths taken by its members.