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Who Is Richer: Prince Harry vs Prince William Net Worth Explained (2024–2025)
If you’re wondering who is actually richer Prince Harry or Prince William, the answer isn’t as simple as comparing bank balances. While Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have built a high-profile Hollywood media empire, Prince William’s wealth is rooted in one of the most powerful inheritances in Britain: the Duchy of Cornwall.
Let’s break it down clearly so you can understand where the real money lies and who is likely to be wealthier in the long run.
Prince William’s Wealth: The Power of the Duchy of Cornwall
What Is the Duchy of Cornwall?
The Duchy of Cornwall is a vast private estate created in 1337 to provide income for the Prince of Wales. Prince William inherited control of the Duchy in September 2022, after King Charles ascended the throne.
- Estate value: £1.2 billion
- Assets: Land, farms, commercial properties, residential estates
- Key rule: William cannot sell Duchy assets, but he receives the income
This is not celebrity money it’s institutional, generational wealth.
How Prince William’s Income Skyrocketed
Before 2020, William shared Duchy income with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Once the Sussexes stepped down as working royals, and later when William inherited the Duchy outright, his income multiplied dramatically.
Duchy of Cornwall Income Breakdown
- 2022–23: £12.7 million (partial year)
- 2023–24: £23.1 million
- Total earned since inheritance: £35.8 million
- Estimated 2024–25 income: £23 million
- Projected total by April 2025: £58.8 million
- Projected by 2026: £82 million
At this pace, you can see why experts believe William’s wealth will soon rival or exceed the Sussexes’ media fortune.Read More
Benefits Beyond Income
Prince William also receives taxpayer-funded security, including armed police protection a benefit Prince Harry no longer enjoys. This alone saves William millions annually.
Prince Harry & Meghan Markle’s Net Worth: Hollywood Wealth Explained
The Sussexes’ Reported Earnings
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle leveraged their royal status into a lucrative media portfolio in the U.S.
Reported deals include:
- Netflix contract: $100 million
- Spotify deal: $20 million
- Harry’s memoir Spare advance: $20 million
- BetterUp: Harry serves as Chief Impact Officer
- Meghan’s investments:
- Clevr Blends
- Cesta Collective
- Highbrow Hippie
Estimated Combined Net Worth
While the Sussexes are not required to publicly disclose finances, estimates place their combined wealth at around $140 million.
If invested conservatively, that wealth could generate:
- Approximate annual income: $5.6 million
This is significantly lower than Prince William’s annual Duchy income alone.
Security Costs: A Major Financial Difference
After stepping down as a working royal, Prince Harry lost publicly funded security.
In Spare, Harry revealed:
“I was quoted six million a year. I slowly hung up.”
That $6 million annual security cost placed enormous pressure on the Sussexes’ finances. Although Harry later found a cheaper option, the exact cost remains undisclosed.
Prince William, by contrast, does not pay privately for security, preserving more of his income.
The California Home & Mortgage Factor
The Sussexes also took out a $9 million mortgage to purchase their California home. If their interest rate is lower than their investment returns, this could be financially strategic but it still represents a long-term liability William does not carry.
Expert Opinion: Who Has the Better Financial Position?
Eric Schiffer, Chair of Reputation Management Consultants, told Newsweek:
“William has the opportunity to play the stock market with the £23 million he receives annually.”
He added that he would prefer William’s equity-based, long-term portfolio over income tied to public-facing documentaries and media output. Royal Family
Schiffer also acknowledged that Harry and Meghan likely have strong investment managers and may be benefiting from U.S. market growth possibly at a faster rate in the short term.
Final Verdict: Who Is Richer Now and in the Future?
- Harry & Meghan may appear wealthier due to large upfront media deals
- Prince William is positioned to be significantly richer
- Stable annual income
- £1.2 billion estate backing
- No personal security costs
- Wealth that compounds quietly over decades
Conclusion
When you compare Prince Harry and Prince William’s wealth, you’re really comparing Hollywood-style earnings versus historic royal income. Harry and Meghan’s fortune depends on media deals and public demand, while Prince William benefits from the steady, long-term income of the Duchy of Cornwall. You may debate who looks richer today, but over time, Prince William is far more likely to emerge as the wealthier royal due to stability, scale, and guaranteed annual earnings.
FAQs:
1. Who is richer, Prince Harry or Prince William?
Right now, Harry and Meghan may appear richer due to major media deals, but Prince William earns far more annually through the Duchy of Cornwall, giving him the long-term advantage.
2. How much does Prince William earn from the Duchy of Cornwall?
Prince William earned £23.1 million in 2023–24, and his income is expected to remain at a similar level in coming years.
3. What is Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s estimated net worth?
Their combined net worth is estimated at around $140 million, based on reported Netflix, Spotify, and book deals.
4. Why does Prince William have a financial advantage?
Prince William receives guaranteed income, does not pay for personal security, and is backed by a £1.2 billion estate, unlike Harry’s commercially driven earnings.
5. Who is likely to be wealthier in the future?
Most experts believe Prince William will be wealthier in the long run due to the consistent and growing income from the Duchy of Cornwall.
