A newly released documentary has cast fresh light on the financial reality behind Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s high-profile post-royal life in California, painting a detailed picture of their luxury lifestyle and the hefty price tag that comes with it.
Titled Harry and Meghan: Where Did The Money Go, the Channel 5 special examines the couple’s move from royal duty to private life and the staggering costs involved in their new chapter. Set against the backdrop of their sprawling Montecito estate, the film pulls no punches in exploring what it describes as a “lavish lifestyle.”
Since stepping back from royal responsibilities in 2020, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have made headlines with their relocation to the United States, notably marked by a bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey. In that sit-down, they shared explosive claims about their time within the royal family and outlined the emotional and institutional challenges that led to their departure, according to the Daily Express.
But it’s their financial transition that takes center stage in the new documentary. Royal commentators featured in the film suggest that the Sussexes’ expenses have ballooned since settling in California, chief among them, their Montecito mansion.
The couple purchased the $14.65 million property shortly after their move. However, royal experts reveal that Harry and Meghan took out a massive $9.5 million mortgage on the nine-bedroom, 16-bathroom estate. Monthly repayments on the luxurious home are estimated to fall between $50,000 and $100,000.
Situated on a 7.4-acre lot, the estate includes lush gardens, a private nursery for their children Archie and Lilibet, a guesthouse for Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland, and even a rose garden that Meghan reportedly tends herself. “They’re living their lovely, lovely lavish lifestyle,” royal expert Emily Andrews noted in the film.
“The nine bathrooms, the little house in the garden, the private school—every detail screams luxury.” Perhaps the most staggering figure is the cost of personal security. According to the documentary, Harry and Meghan spend up to $3 million annually to keep themselves and their family safe.
Royal editor Russell Myers of The Mirror added, “I don’t think they thought it through—what leaving their roles and relocating to somewhere like America would really mean for their security.”
Myers explained that while the couple may have anticipated covering some of the costs, the complete removal of official protection forced them to confront an unexpected and massive financial burden. The documentary offers a sobering look at the realities of royal independence, highlighting that freedom from the monarchy has come at a steep cost.