HARRY and Meghan are under intense pressure to give up their royal titles to stop them cashing in.
They could earn hundreds of millions if they retain royal status despite stepping back.
Harry and Meghan are under intense pressure to give up their royal titles to stop them cashing in
The couple could earn hundreds of millions if they retain royal status
Critics called it a joke that they want financial independence while keeping taxpayer-funded security, travel, housing and 2.3 million a year from Prince Charles.
Royal author Ingrid Seward said: How can they remain working members of the Firm and be paid for deals with Disney or Apple?
It will lead to huge conflicts of interest, not to mention accusations of cash for access.
Surely they will have to relinquish their titles and royal status? Or it just wont work.
If they want to keep Frogmore Cottage, theyd need to pay the appropriate rent and not get it for free.
The Sussexes want to stay in their five-bedroom Windsor mansion renovated with 3million of taxpayers cash.
‘BREAKS EVERY PROTOCOL’
Graham Smith, of pressure group Republic, said: Duke and Duchess of Sussex are official titles granted by Britains head of state.
They are there to be used for official business, not private profit.
The same goes for their royal protection detail.
If this were a politician cashing in on their public position it would be called out as corruption.
Buckingham Palace has made it clear that Harry and Meghan have outlined their wishes, but nothing is decided and it is a hugely tricky process.
One courtier said: How can you have, say, Prince Harry signing a sponsorship deal to wear a certain watch.
And then the next day, representing the Queen at a royal engagement, wearing that watch for publicity.
It just wouldnt work and breaks every protocol and rule.
The couple trademarked their Sussex Royal brand on more than 100 items six months ago
The Sussexes want to stay in Frogmore Cottage, their five-bedroom Windsor mansion renovated with 3million of taxpayers cash
How can they represent the UK on tours abroad, when potentially taking money from goodness knows where?
The couple are trying to solve this issue in the short-term, when its just not possible.
There is a willingness to try to give them what they want, but it will take some time to sort out how it will all work.
Another courtier said: Its not necessarily that they get bad advice, its just they dont take good advice.
One marketing expert said: If Kylie Jennner can be worth a billion dollars its entirely realistic that the Sussexes could make a billion pounds.
UK branding expert Claire Shiels said the couples value could quickly challenge the Beckhams, worth 700million.
‘TRADING ON ROYAL NAME’
The couple trademarked their Sussex Royal brand on more than 100 items six months ago.
Andy Barr, of price tracking website Alertr said: Their trademarked merchandise will just be the stepping stone for higher value products.
Undoubtedly this will be a multi-million pound revenue business given they are effectively trading on the back of the Royal name which is ironic given they are seemingly trying to escape its clutches.
Meghan and Harry are currently funded by taxpayers cash, through the Sovereign Grant and Charles through the Duchy of Cornwall, plus their own fortunes.
Last year William and Harry shared a Duchy handout of 5million.
The Sussexes said the money from Charles pays 95 per cent of their office expenditure.
Five per cent came from the Sovereign Grant which they will give up.
Harrys other wealth comes from his inheritance from his mum, Princess Diana, now worth an estimated 20m.
He also banked 7million from the Queen Mother.
Meghans net worth of around 4million comes from her acting career.
Last night, the households of the Queen, Charles and William were trying to work through what Harry and Meghan want.
One royal source said: We are all trying to solve the conundrum. Are the family disappointed? Yes. But furious? No.
Weve all just got to get on with it and make this work.
Meghan and Harry are currently funded by taxpayers cash, through the Sovereign Grant and Charles through the Duchy of Cornwall, plus their own fortunes
One marketing expert said: ‘If Kylie Jennner can be worth a billion dollars its entirely realistic that the Sussexes could make a billion pounds’
Harrys other wealth comes from his inheritance from his mum, Princess Diana, now worth an estimated 20m
Meghans net worth of around 4million comes from her acting career
