Inside Megan Markle's 9-bed £12 million mansion complete with 15 staff and hefty bills
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are finding it a "struggle" to manage their £12 million mansion, says an expert.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who are looking for a new home near the King, splurged on their nine-bedroom Californian dream home after stepping back from Royal duties in 2020. The expansive mansion has everything you could ever want, including a library, office, spa, gym, game room, wine cellar - and 16 baths!
Nestled on 5.4 acres of land, the Sussexes' estate - where they live with six year old Prince Archie and three year old Princess Lilibet, who Prince Charles said he is not content with just seeing them on video - is surrounded by beautiful gardens, as well as a tennis court, tea house, children's cottage, pool, and five-car garage.
However, an expert suggests that maintaining such a lavish lifestyle comes with a hefty amount of work and will cost the couple hundreds of thousands of pounds every year to maintain.
Eric Bramlett, a realtor and owner of luxury real estate company Bramlett Residential, has given insight into the financial and physical toll running a property like the Sussexes' would have on the couple. Speaking to Fabulous, he revealed: "Managing a $14 million (£12 million) mansion like Harry and Meghan's in Montecito takes a lot of work.", reports the Mirror.
Eric expressed the Sussexes' mansion would have "high-operating costs", likely needing 10-15 full-time staff members, including housekeepers, a house manager, private chefs, groundsmen, and security. Along with staff salaries, Meghan and Harry will also be covering utilities, landscaping, maintenance, and security bills - which could amount to hundreds of thousands annually, excluding significant renovations and repairs.
Eric added: "It's like running a small boutique hotel with residential service. The costs pile up quick, but it comes with luxury living."
Fortunately for the Sussexes, finances aren't a concern. According to speculations, the couple has a combined net worth of £48 million, even after stepping down from Royal duties in 2020 and repaying taxpayer costs for Frogmore Cottage renovations, their previous Windsor residence.
Ever since their move to America, the industrious pair has managed to bag several profitable deals with Netflix, publisher Penguin Random House, and Spotify, among others.
Before joining the Royal Family through marriage, Meghan's net worth was approximately £3.5 million. Her role as Rachel Zane in Suits had her earning an impressive £37,000 per episode.
The finances of Prince Harry are more than secure, dating back to 1994 when The Queen Mother tucked away a substantial £19 million in a trust fund for her great-grandchildren, including Harry and his brother William. As reported by The Guardian, the princely brothers split £6 million of this nest egg at the age of 21, with Harry pocketing the lion's share to "compensate for not becoming sovereign".
The Guardian further revealed that Harry is set to inherit additional amounts from the trust fund on his milestone 40th birthday. According to an analysis by Forbes, the late Princess Diana bequeathed her sons nearly £8 million after tax deductions, meaning they would each accrue around £340,000 annually once they reached the age of 25.
