The late Queen Elizabeth‘s will has been unveiled, shedding light on the inheritance of each member of the royal family.
Let’s delve into what notable figures such as Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Prince Andrew, and Princess Anne received from the Queen’s estate.
Starting with Prince Harry, it was disclosed in 2021 that he did not benefit from the $100 million left to the royal family by his great-grandmother, the Queen Mother.
However, following the passing of his mother, Princess Diana, Harry and his brother William inherited a portion of their mother’s estate on their 25th birthdays, amounting to approximately $10 million each, as reported by Forbes.
During a revealing CBS interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021, Harry shared how he utilized his trust from his mother to sustain himself and his family after being financially cut off by his father, Prince Charles, at the beginning of 2020, subsequent to Harry and Meghan’s departure from the British royal family and relocation to the United States.
“I had to afford security for us,” Harry emphasized, reflecting on the pivotal role his mother’s inheritance played in supporting their new life.
Contrary to popular belief, Diana’s will stipulated that her estate would be distributed to William and Harry upon reaching the age of 25; however, the funds were withheld until they turned 30, according to Us Weekly.
Despite this delay, the brothers were able to accrue interest on their trust funds earlier.
In addition to Harry and William being the primary beneficiaries of Diana’s estate, she also designated other individuals to receive a share of her wealth, including her butler, Paul Burrell, and 17 of her godchildren, as reported by Worthy.
Moving on to Meghan Markle, similar to Prince Harry, she was not named as a beneficiary of the $100 million inheritance left by the Queen Mother to the royal family, as confirmed by representatives in 2021.
Speculation arose in September 2022, with Radar Online reporting that there is a high likelihood that the Queen will not bequeath any valuable jewels to either Harry or Meghan due to their departure from the royal family.
It was suggested that Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, may inherit $110 million worth of jewelry from the Queen, with intentions to pass some pieces onto their niece, Lilibet, to ensure her inclusion.
Meghan, however, was not a focal point of their considerations, as per an insider’s remarks to Radar Online.
The exclusion of Meghan from the inheritance was theorized to stem from practicality or the tumultuous relationship between Harry, Meghan, and the British royal family prior to the Queen’s passing.
In a recent development concerning Prince Andrew, BBC disclosed in September 2022 that he and Sarah Ferguson inherited two of the Queen’s beloved corgis, Mewick and Sandy, which were initially presented to Her Majesty by Andrew and his daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie, in 2021.
The corgis are set to return to reside at Royal Lodge alongside the Duke and Duchess, with the source attributing the discovery of the puppies to the Duchess, who shared a close bond with the Queen through dog walking and horse riding activities.
Princess Anne, along with her brothers Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, reportedly inherited a portion of the Sovereign Grant, now under the ownership of their elder brother, King Charles III, as per I24 News.
Although the exact extent of Princess Anne’s share remains undisclosed, some sources suggest that she may receive a new royal title in recognition of her significant role in the events leading up to the Queen’s funeral in September 2022.