Why Prince Harry inherited MORE money than Prince William from major royal

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to step down as senior royals in 2020 was accompanied by their stated goal of achieving financial independence. It appears that they were able to accomplish this objective, in part, due to an inheritance received from their late mother, Princess Diana. Upon her tragic passing in 1997, Princess Diana left an estate valued at approximately £13 million to her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry.

However, after accounting for inheritance taxes, this sum was reduced to £8.5 million, which was then divided between the two brothers. This inheritance played a role in enabling the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to establish their financial autonomy following their departure from their senior royal roles.

The inheritance received by Prince Harry and Prince William from their late mother, Princess Diana, initially amounted to around £20 million. However, this sum grew substantially over the years due to prudent investments made by royal advisors. It’s important to note that the princes did not have access to this inheritance until they reached their 20s.

Additionally, Prince Harry and Prince William benefited from another inheritance, separate from their mother’s. After the passing of their great-grandmother, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, also known as the Queen Mother, in 2002, Prince Harry reportedly received a larger inheritance from her estate compared to his older brother, Prince William.

The late Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother left behind a substantial fortune estimated at around £70 million, comprising valuable artworks and the contents of her residences. This inheritance was bequeathed to her sole surviving child, Queen Elizabeth II. However, in 1994, the Queen Mother had taken the prudent step of placing two-thirds of her wealth into a trust fund specifically intended for her great-grandchildren.

According to reports from the BBC in 2002, Prince William and Prince Harry were set to share approximately £14 million from this investment. Interestingly, it was reported that the majority of the cash went to Prince Harry, as Prince William, being first in line to the throne, would “benefit financially” from his future role as monarch. Prince Harry, on the other hand, is currently fifth in the line of succession.

Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, is currently sixth in line to the British throne. He follows the three children of his elder brother Prince William and Kate Middleton: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. Harry’s position in the line of succession will continue to shift further down as his nieces and nephews have children of their own in the future.

Harry married Meghan Markle, now the Duchess of Sussex, in May 2018 in a televised ceremony at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. However, in January 2020, the couple announced their decision to “step back” from their royal duties and divide their time between Britain and North America. They expressed their intention to become “financially independent” while “carving out a progressive new role” within the royal family.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have acquired a £12.8 million mansion in California, where they are raising their two children, Archie and Lilibet. Reports indicate that they have taken out an £8.3 million mortgage on the property. Prince Harry is estimated to have a substantial net worth of around £48 million. Meghan Markle is believed to have a similar net worth, as the couple is known to share their finances and collaborate on various projects. Prior to her marriage to Prince Harry, Meghan had an estimated net worth of £3.5 million, primarily from her role in the American drama series “Suits.”