When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle packed their bags for California in 2020, the British tabloids had a field day. "How will they survive?" "They’re being cut off!" The drama was high, and the financial anxiety—at least from the outside—seemed even higher. Honestly, the idea of a Prince of the Blood suddenly needing to check his bank balance before ordering a latte is a funny mental image, but the reality is way more calculated than that.
So, how much money does Prince Harry have now that the dust of "Megxit" has settled?
Estimates for 2026 place the Duke of Sussex’s net worth at approximately $60 million. That’s a combined figure with Meghan, sure, but since their finances are basically one big Californian bucket now, it’s the number that matters. It’s a far cry from the "broke" narrative some critics like to push. But it's also a tiny fraction of the $28 billion British Royal Family "Firm" he left behind.
He’s rich. Just a different kind of rich.
The Inheritance Safety Net
Let’s be real: Harry didn't move to Montecito with an empty wallet. He famously told Oprah that the couple was only able to make the jump because of what his mother, Princess Diana, left him.
Diana’s legacy was the foundation. When she passed away, she left her sons a significant trust. By the time Harry turned 30, that inheritance had grown to roughly $10 million. That was his "get out of London" fund. Without that specific pile of cash, the security costs alone would have probably forced him back to the palace gates within six months.
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Then came the big 4-0.
In September 2024, Harry hit his fortieth birthday, which triggered another massive windfall. His great-grandmother, the Queen Mother, was a savvy planner. Back in 1994, she put about £19 million into a trust fund for her great-grandchildren. Harry’s slice of that pie? Reports suggest he walked away with about $8.5 million (roughly £7 million). Interestingly, he reportedly got a bigger share than Prince William. Why? Because the Queen Mother knew William would eventually inherit the massive revenues of the Duchy of Cornwall. Harry needed the extra cushion.
Streaming Giants and the "Spare" Change
When the royal allowance from King Charles (via the Duchy of Cornwall) dried up, the Sussexes had to pivot to "content creation." This is where the big numbers start flying around, though they are often misunderstood.
- The Netflix Deal: Valued at a staggering $100 million. However, don't think for a second that $100 million landed in Harry’s personal checking account. That’s a production deal. It covers staff, office space, equipment, and the actual making of shows like Harry & Meghan and Heart of Invictus. While it’s been a massive revenue driver, sources in early 2026 suggest the deal has been a mixed bag of massive hits and some quieter "lifestyle" projects that haven't quite set the world on fire.
- The Spotify Debacle: This one was a bit of a mess. They signed a deal for about $20 million, but it ended early in 2023. They didn't get the full payout because they didn't hit the productivity benchmarks. One Spotify executive even called them "grifters" on his way out. Ouch.
- Spare: This is Harry’s real gold mine. His memoir, Spare, didn't just sell well; it shattered records. He reportedly received a $20 million advance, but with over 6 million copies sold worldwide, the royalties have likely pushed his total earnings from that one book toward the $27 million to $30 million mark.
The Montecito Real Estate Factor
You can't talk about how much money Prince Harry has without looking at his house. The "Chateau of Riven Rock" in Montecito is a beast. They bought it in 2020 for about $14.65 million.
At the time, people thought they overpaid. They didn't.
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By early 2026, the Montecito real estate market has absolutely exploded. Local data shows that property values in their specific enclave have surged by nearly 75% over the last few years. Recent estimates suggest their home could now be worth closer to $29 million. That’s a massive amount of "paper wealth." Of course, you can't eat a house, and the property taxes and 24/7 private security detail—which likely costs them between $2 million and $3 million a year—eat into their liquid cash fast.
The "Day Job" and Settlements
Harry actually has a job. Sorta.
He serves as the "Chief Impact Officer" for BetterUp, a Silicon Valley coaching and mental health startup. While his salary isn't public, tech experts estimate a role like that, combined with the equity (stock options) he likely received, could be worth seven figures if the company eventually goes public.
There's also the legal side of things. In early 2025, Harry settled a long-standing lawsuit against Mirror Group Newspapers and later reached a settlement with News Group Newspapers (publishers of The Sun) over illegal information gathering. Those payouts aren't just symbolic. We’re talking about a settlement that reportedly exceeded $12 million.
Is the Money Running Out?
There’s a lot of chatter about whether their "burn rate" is sustainable.
Living like a royal in America is expensive.
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Between the mortgage, the security, the private jets, and the high-end legal teams, their outgoings are astronomical. However, with Meghan’s lifestyle brand As Ever launching and new production deals on the horizon, they seem to be diversifying.
They’ve moved from "inherited wealth" to "celebrity wealth." It’s a more volatile world, but for now, the bank of Harry is looking pretty solid.
Actionable Insights on the Sussex Finances
- Diversification is key: Harry moved from a single "employer" (the Crown) to multiple revenue streams (books, tech, production, real estate).
- Liquidity vs. Net Worth: While he's worth $60 million, a huge chunk is tied up in his home and trust funds that have specific age triggers.
- The Cost of Freedom: If you're looking to "exit" a family business, always check the cost of your "security" (literal or financial) first. Harry’s biggest expense is maintaining the safety he used to get for free.
To get a true sense of the Duke's financial standing, one must look past the flashy headlines and see the mix of 100-year-old trusts and modern-day Netflix contracts that keep the Sussex brand afloat.
Next Steps: You might want to look into the specific tax implications for British royals living in California, as Harry’s "dual-status" can be a nightmare for accountants. Alternatively, checking the recent filings for their Archewell Foundation can give you a hint at their current liquid philanthropic power.