Is Prince Andrew’s falling net worth why King Charles is evicting the Sussexes?
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are two of the most talked-about figures in the world today. The couple has been in the public eye since they first started dating in 2016, but their relationship really captured the world’s attention when they announced their engagement in November 2017, and subsequently denounced their royal status in 2020.
Meghan and Prince Harry’s public profile has taken some unexpected turns since their denunciation, and their relationship with the rest of the Sussexes has been strained to say the least. They have been openly critical of Prince Harry’s family, and the family has responded by being equally cold towards them.
King Charles is reportedly evicting Meghan and Prince Harry from Frogmore Cottage, the royal residence that Queen Elizabeth gifted them as a wedding present in 2018. Prince Andrew, the brother of King Charles, is said to be the driving force behind the eviction.
Differing paths
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry knocked the royal family on their back heels when they announced that they would be stepping back from their roles as senior members of the royal family. They cited a desire for financial independence and more privacy as some of the reasons behind their decision.
Since then, Meghan and Prince Harry have moved to California with their young son Archie. They have launched various philanthropic initiatives through their non-profit organization Archewell Foundation and signed lucrative deals with companies like Netflix and Spotify. In 2022, Prince Harry also released a memoir titled Space, which was incredibly open about the negative feelings he had for his family members. The Royals were reportedly not amused.
Prince Andrew, meanwhile, has seen his reputation take a massive hit in the past few years. The multiple accusations of sexual abuse, coupled with the close association he seemingly had with pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, have made something of a pariah for the Royal family, and his income has shrunken down accordingly.
Eviction drama
Frogmore Cottage is a historic residence located on the grounds of Frogmore House in Windsor, England. Originally built in the 18th century, the cottage has a long and storied history, and has been home to a number of notable figures over the years. Frogmore Cottage became particularly famous in recent years as the residence of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were gifted the property by Queen Elizabeth II in 2018. The couple spent a significant amount of time and money renovating the cottage, including installing new plumbing and electrical systems, as well as updating the decor and furnishings. The renovations reportedly cost over £2.4 million, leading to some controversy and criticism in the press and among the public. His net worth currently sits at £62 million ($82 million).
The rumor is that King Charles is evicting Meghan and Prince Harry so that he can re-gift the property to Prince Andrew. This has drawn the ire of millions, who feel that Queen Elizabeth II’s wishes are not being upheld, and that Prince Andrew is being prioritized despite being an alleged sexual predator.
Financial woes
From a monetary standpoint, it makes sense that Prince Andrew would be pushing to claim the property. King Charles has reportedly slashed the annual £249,000 allowance that Prince Andrew was previously allotted, and many sources have suggested that the latter won’t be able to keep the lease on the Royal Lodge that he bought for £1 million in 2003 or sustain the annual rent £13,000) needed to live there.
Meghan and Prince Harry are reportedly “shocked” by the turn of events. They did not expect King Charles to act so callously and decisively against them, let alone offer their wedding gift to Prince Andrew. “It all feels very final and like a cruel punishment,” a source told Elle magazine. “It’s like [the family] want to cut them out of the picture for good.”
Meghan and Prince Harry have until the coronation of King Charles (May 6) to vacate Frogmore Cottage. There have been conflicting reports on whether Prince Andrew will accept the offer to move in, as a source for The Sun claimed that he was “resisting the idea.” Either way, it doesn’t suggest a happy family moving forward.