Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have returned to the UK with Archie and Lilibet for an extended stay, with their children enrolled in British schools. The Sussexes will live privately outside London as non-working royals, while Harry plans to continue his charitable work and Meghan runs her business ventures.
Their return could put pressure on William, according to royal correspondent Katie Nicholl, amid continuing tensions within the family. It also highlights their contrasting financial paths: William receives private income from the Duchy of Cornwall as heir to the throne, while Harry and Meghan have relied on inheritance and private income as well as commercial ventures since stepping back from royal duties.
Celebrity Net Worth estimates Harry and Meghan's combined net worth at $60M (£44.4M) in 2026, but their post-royal life also carries significant expenses. In a 2022 The Cut interview, Meghan recalled hesitating to view their $14.65M (£10.8M) Montecito home: 'We didn't have jobs, so we just were not going to come and see this house.'
The couple reportedly took out a $9.52M (£7M) mortgage on their Montecito estate and have generated income through private and commercial ventures since stepping back from royal duties.
Alongside his royal inheritance, Harry and Meghan signed a Netflix production deal in 2020 that was initially reported to be worth up to $100M (£74M), followed by a multi-year first-look agreement announced in 2025. Their Spotify podcast deal was reported at around $20M (£14.8M), although some reports put the figure as high as $25M (£18.5M). The deal ended in 2023 after Meghan's Archetypes produced a single 12-episode season.
Harry has also worked as an author and serves as BetterUp's chief impact officer, while continuing his work with Travalyst, which he founded. The couple has also earned money from speaking engagements, with reports in 2020 suggesting the couple could command fees of up to $1M per appearance.
Inheritance has also played a major role. Forbes has estimated that Harry ultimately received around $10M (£7.4M) from his late mother Diana's estate, with the principal reportedly held in trust until he was 30. Harry has said Diana's inheritance helped support him and Meghan after they stepped back from royal duties. He has also been reported to have received a $20M (£14.8M) advance for his memoir Spare.
Prince William's estimated wealth puts him ahead of his brother, Prince Harry. Celebrity Net Worth estimates William's personal net worth at $140M (£104M), although royal wealth estimates vary depending on which assets are included.
The Duchy of Cornwall had net assets of about $1.63B (£1.2B) at the end of March 2026. However, those assets are not part of William's personal wealth. Instead, he receives the estate's annual surplus income, which was £21.55M ($28.5M) in 2025-26. He also paid £7.76M ($10.5M) in tax in 2024-25.
The brothers' strained relationship follows years of tensions surrounding Harry and Meghan's royal exit, public interviews and disclosures about life within the royal family. Nicholl said William faces an 'unenviable position' because he is 'absolutely committed to the future of the monarchy.'
Harry's return, she believes, could 'accelerate that inevitable reconciliation' despite the 'massive breakdown in trust' between the couples. Vanity Fair, citing sources, reported that William and Kate had been 'derailed' by the Sussexes' sudden arrival, while an unnamed source told the news outlet: 'He doesn't know what his brother is going to spring on them all next.'
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