Prince Harry and Meghan's UK Move: Is Money a Driving Factor?

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are heading back to the UK before the end of the month — and while the move has sent the internet into a full spin, sources are now painting a surprisingly candid picture of what may be behind it. According to insiders who spoke with Page Six, finances are at least part of the equation, even if the full story is far more layered.

'Anything That Comes In Instantly Goes Out'

Let's be clear: nobody is saying Harry and Meghan are broke. Multiple sources close to the couple stress that they remain wealthy by any reasonable standard — Harry inherited a substantial sum from various relatives, and the pair were sitting on a considerable fortune well before their royal exit. But wealth and cash flow are two very different things, and right now the Sussexes' outgoings are apparently enormous.

Between two mortgages on their stunning $14.5 million Montecito estate, a vacation property in Portugal, household staff costs, and a security bill that reportedly runs around $3 million a year, the couple need roughly $6 million annually just to maintain their current lifestyle in the US. One insider put it plainly: "Anything that comes in instantly goes out."

Staff numbers have also been scaled back significantly — from an estimated 17 to 18 employees down to just four full-time team members, not counting their spokespeople.

Meghan Steps Up as the Family's Breadwinner

With Harry, 41, channeling most of his energy into philanthropy and passion projects like the Invictus Games, Meghan, 45, has emerged as the primary earner. Her lifestyle brand, As Ever — home to jams, honey, candles, and more — is reportedly performing well, and she plans to keep running it remotely from the UK. Prince Harry and Meghan's UK return has been building for some time, and it seems Meghan's entrepreneurial momentum isn't slowing down for the move.

The couple collectively earned over $100 million from book deals and streaming contracts with Netflix and Spotify. Harry's memoir Spare brought in $20 million from Penguin Random House, while their Netflix documentary series was a cornerstone of their original $60 million deal with the streamer. After transitioning to a "first look" arrangement with Netflix last September, they now have four projects in development — including adaptations of romance novels and a military memoir — though Netflix recently passed on their proposed Cookie Queens documentary.

A Looming Legal Bill Clouds the Picture

Perhaps the most pressing financial concern hanging over the Sussexes right now is the outcome of Harry's privacy lawsuit against Associated Newspapers, publishers of the Daily Mail. Harry lost the case, and Associated is seeking up to £34.5 million (roughly $47 million) in legal fees. A written judgment is still pending, but sources have indicated Harry simply doesn't have that kind of liquidity available — and there's even speculation that close friend Sir Elton John, who shared a deep bond with Harry's late mother Princess Diana, may offer financial support.

Meghan, for her part, reportedly never wanted Harry to pursue the legal action in the first place, and the verdict has not gone over well with her. One Hollywood insider has already raised the uncomfortable question of whether the couple will be able to hold onto their Montecito home once that judgment lands. For now, though, the Sussexes have no plans to sell or rent the property.

A New Chapter for the Whole Family

Archie, 7, and Lilibet, 5, are already enrolled in new schools in the UK, signaling that this isn't a fleeting visit. Prince Harry has been all smiles in the lead-up to the homecoming, and beyond the financial considerations, there's clearly something personally meaningful about this return for the family.

Harry also continues his role as Chief Impact Officer at mental-health startup BetterUp — a position he's held since 2021 — and remains actively involved in the Invictus Games community. He's spoken at length about balancing his many roles, including fatherhood, advocacy, and entrepreneurship. Whatever the combination of reasons behind this transatlantic move, one thing is certain: the Sussex story is far from over.