Meghan Markle is reportedly stepping into the role of primary provider in her Montecito household as questions swirl about the Sussexes’ finances following another major business shake-up.
While Prince Harry continues dedicating much of his time to charity initiatives and mental health advocacy, insiders claim Meghan has become increasingly focused on building profitable ventures to maintain the couple’s expensive California lifestyle.
Between luxury security costs, mortgage payments, and ambitious business plans, sources say the pressure to keep money flowing has become very real behind palace gates.
Meghan Markle Reportedly Becomes The Sussex Family’s Main Earner
According to sources close to the Sussex circle, Meghan Markle is now “basically the breadwinner” in the family while Prince Harry focuses largely on philanthropic work.
One insider bluntly told Page Six, “Money is tight,” while another source estimated that the couple needs at least $6 million annually just to maintain life in Montecito, California.
A large portion of that reportedly goes toward security for Meghan, Harry, Prince Archie, and Princess Lilibet.The pair also continue paying for their sprawling $15 million mansion in the celebrity-filled enclave.
As Harry pours energy into causes like the Invictus Games and mental health advocacy, Meghan has shifted aggressively toward expanding her “As Ever” lifestyle brand and other business ventures.
The Duchess recently shared a glamorous Instagram video promoting “As Ever,” showing herself eating strawberries while wearing a diamond necklace reportedly worth $63,000.
The post quickly caught attention online and drew support from celebrity friends including Lauren Sánchez and IT Cosmetics founder Jamie Kern Lima.
Meghan Expands Business Empire After Netflix Split
Meghan Markle’s growing financial focus comes shortly after her partnership with Netflix reportedly ended in April.
As The Blast reported, the streaming giant and Meghan severed ties connected to her “As Ever” brand after reports surfaced that her companion series, “With Love, Meghan,” would not be returning for a third season.
Sources close to the Duchess of Sussex allegedly suggested she had been forced to “carry the whole thing by herself,” creating frustration among Netflix staffers.
However, Meghan appears determined to keep building her brand elsewhere. Last month, the former “Suits” actress joined AI-powered fashion platform OneOff as both an investor and featured participant.
The partnership allows fans to browse and purchase curated looks connected to Meghan’s wardrobe, including outfits from her recent Australia trip. The platform reportedly exploded in popularity almost immediately.
“OneOff surpassed 1-plus million views of outfits on the site in the first three days since Meghan launched her page on the platform,” CEO Emir Talu told WWD.
Meghan Markle’s Australia Trip Turned Into A Business Opportunity
During her recent Australia visit, Meghan reportedly leaned heavily into branding and networking opportunities.
She attended the G9 Ventures Summer Summit in the Hamptons ahead of launching her latest projects after Lima reportedly arranged private travel for her.
While in Australia, the royal also appeared at the Her Best Life Retreat in Sydney, where attendees reportedly paid up to $3,199 for the experience despite Meghan only staying for about two hours.
At the same time, her partnership with OneOff generated major online shopping traffic, with more than two dozen items tied to her Australia appearances reportedly selling out.
Meanwhile, rumors have also circulated that Meghan may be considering a return to acting. Reports this week claimed the Duchess was exploring opportunities for a steady television role after making a cameo appearance in the upcoming film “Close Personal Friends.”
However, Sussex insiders quickly denied speculation that she was actively pursuing an acting comeback.
Prince Harry Focuses On Passion Projects
While Meghan Markle expands her business portfolio, Prince Harry continues focusing largely on charitable and public service work.
Harry continues serving as Chief Impact Officer for BetterUp, the Silicon Valley mental health startup he joined in 2021. Reports have claimed the role earns him around $1 million annually.
Despite remaining listed on the company’s website, Harry’s involvement has reportedly sparked questions internally.
In August 2023, The Daily Beast reported that some BetterUp staffers described Harry’s role as unclear, with one former employee alleging his day-to-day responsibilities involved “zero things.”
Meghan Markle And Prince Harry Face Questions Over BetterUp And UK Plans
The report arrived during a difficult period for BetterUp after the company reportedly laid off around 16 percent of its workforce.
The outlet also reported that the company faced backlash from contractors following changes to coach compensation.
Despite the scrutiny, Harry remains heavily invested in his Invictus Games project for wounded veterans, which continues to be one of his biggest priorities.
The Duke is also reportedly hoping to return to the UK with Meghan Markle and their children in July for a one-year countdown celebration ahead of the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham.
However, the visit may depend on whether the British government agrees to provide security for the family during their stay.