Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly scaled back the size of their household staff in an effort to save money.
The former working royals have seen their staff numbers dwindle since they relocated to the U.S., amid reports of a strained relationship between the Duchess of Sussex and her former staff members.
This report comes amid a worsening rift between Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and the royal family as the Duke of Sussex seeks reconciliation but continues to receive the silent treatment.
Prince Harry And Meghan Cut Back On Staff To ‘Save Cash’
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According to Page Six, Harry and Meghan have cut off their communications team as they seek to manage their finances more effectively.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have seen a total of up to 25 staff members leave them since they stepped down from their royal roles and relocated to the U.S.
“It’s the same old story – they cycle through staff as quickly as normal people cycle through toilet paper. Milk lasts longer than their employees,” a royal source said.
It remains unclear whether Harry and Meghan are experiencing financial difficulties, despite their hit docu-series, “Harry & Meghan,” and Meghan’s Netflix show, “With Love, Meghan.”
The couple secured a Netflix deal reportedly worth up to $100 million, but that contract is set to expire this year.
The streaming giant is reportedly now opting for “first look” deals instead of exclusive contracts, which means that Harry and Meghan could re-sign for significantly less than what their current deal is worth.
The Duke And Duchess’s Gigantic Bills
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The situation with their Netflix contract could prove challenging for Harry and Meghan, as their lifestyle is quite expensive.
They’ve since lost their royal protection and now have a huge annual security bill, believed to be worth around $2 million, as well as cover their travel expenses, according to Page Six.
When they moved across the pond five years ago, they paid a mouth-watering $14.65 million on their Montecito home, which is now believed to be worth around $27 million.
Official documents show that they took out a $9.5 million mortgage and would pay it back with interest by 2050, indicating a $5 million deposit was made.
They also have to pay a substantial annual property tax of $288,000, aside from covering the costs of their staff in communications and their personal office, as well as the Archewell Foundation, production, and employees at their California home.
Harry and Meghan reportedly also have to pay for a part of their foreign tours, which have seen the Montecito-based royals visit Nigeria and Colombia.
Prince Harry And Meghan Markle’s Staff Decline
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Back in June, Hello! Magazine reported that Harry and Meghan abruptly lost four members of their staff following an undisclosed number who had previously left their roles.
They’ve lost Kyle Boulia, their L.A.-based deputy press secretary, and Charlie Gipson, who has been working as their European communications director.
They also lost top Archewell executives, including Director of Communications Deesha Tank and former Head of Operations Lianne Cashin.
The Duchess Was Plagued By Claims That She Is Difficult To Work With
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A Vanity Fair report earlier this year suggested the royal couple is not easy to work with and that Meghan would often become cold and withdrawn if “something went poorly.”
Another exposé by The Hollywood Reporter claimed that “everyone’s terrified of Meghan” and that she was nicknamed “Duchess Difficult” by her U.S. staff.
A source said, “She belittles people, she doesn’t take advice. They’re both poor decision-makers, they change their minds frequently. Harry is a very, very charming person — no airs at all — but he’s very much an enabler. And she’s just terrible.”
Insiders told Page Six that the couple was so upset with the Vanity Fair story that Harry went out of his way to protect his wife by getting staff to work on a Us Weekly story featuring quotes from former staff members who expressed their love for working with the duo.
Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Risk Losing Their Royal Titles
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Harry and Meghan may soon have more to worry about as reports suggest the duke’s estranged brother, Prince William, is planning to strip them of their royal titles once he becomes Britain’s next king.
Reports suggest that William has not fully recovered from the way Harry and Meghan hurled disturbing accusations against the palace after they stepped down from their royal roles and the impact it had on their father, King Charles.
“The king was especially stung by Harry labeling him an emotionally cold father in his scathing memoir, Spare,” a courtier said, per Radar Online. “But the monarch is very concerned about his image and fears backlash from his subjects. That’s why he’d never dare take away Harry’s Sussex title – despite all the hurt he’s caused.”
The insider further explained that Charles is concerned about how he’d come off if he stripped them of the title, but William doesn’t care.
“Behind the scenes, people are saying that the royals have quietly sanctioned the title removal – if Harry and Meghan step out of line again,” the source noted. “The removal would require an Act of Parliament, but those in the know say the palace has already called several secret meetings to discuss the possibility and put an actionable plan in place.”
