After stepping back from their royal duties in 2020, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex made a grand investment: a sprawling nine-bedroom dream home in California. This luxurious mansion boasts every amenity imaginable, including a library, office, spa, gym, game room, wine cellar, and a remarkable 16 bathrooms!
Situated on 5.4 acres of land, the Sussexes’ estate is a haven for their family. Alongside six-year-old Prince Archie and three-year-old Princess Lilibet, they enjoy stunning gardens, a tennis court, a charming tea house, a children’s cottage, a pool, and a spacious five-car garage. However, maintaining this opulent lifestyle requires substantial effort and comes with a hefty price tag.
Eric Bramlett, a realtor and owner of luxury real estate company Bramlett Residential, sheds light on the financial and physical demands of managing a mansion like Harry and Meghan’s. Speaking to Fabulous, he explains, “Running a $14 million (£12 million) mansion in Montecito takes a lot of work.”
The Sussexes’ home entails high operating costs, including salaries for 10-15 full-time staff members—housekeepers, a house manager, private chefs, groundsmen, and security personnel. Additionally, they must cover utilities, landscaping, maintenance, and security expenses, which can easily reach hundreds of thousands annually, excluding major renovations and repairs.
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Despite these costs, the Sussexes need not worry about their finances. Reports indicate that their combined net worth stands at £48 million. Since relocating to the US, they’ve secured lucrative deals with Netflix, publisher Penguin Random House, and Spotify. Before joining the Royal Family, Meghan was already worth an estimated £3.5 million, thanks to her role as Rachel Zane in the hit legal drama series Suits, where she earned an impressive £37,000 per episode.
Prince Harry also enjoys financial stability. In 1994, The Queen Mother established a trust fund of £19 million for her great-grandchildren, including Harry and William. The brothers split £6 million from the trust when they turned 21, with Harry receiving a larger share as compensation for not becoming sovereign. Furthermore, Harry will gain access to more of the trust fund on his 40th birthday, thanks to the late Princess Diana’s legacy.
