When Harry and Meghan announced their intention to split from Buckingham Palace and step down as members of the senior royal family earlier this year, questions about the couple’s financial future were raised. They were – now living an independent life in Canada – no longer be receiving an allowance from the Queen or public funds for royal duties, and were to repay the £2.4million of public money used to refurbish their Windsor home, Frogmore Cottage.
Now, as the dust settles on their shock announcement, the couple have taken their first steps into the lucrative world of corporate speaking, as reported by The Sunday Times.
Attending American multinational investment bank JP Morgan’s ‘Alternative Investment Summit’ in Miami on Thursday, Harry and Meghan were reportedly paid up to a cool $1 million (almost £776,000) for their role as keynote speakers. It was their first appearance together since the Queen granted their wish to step back as full-time royals. ‘Harry and Meghan will be the highest-paid speakers that exist on the corporate market,’ Ronn Torossian, CEO of New York-based firm 5W Public Relations, told the Mail Online.
In front of an audience of bankers and celebrities, Meghan spoke of her love for her husband before introducing Harry, who then talked about coping with the tragic death of his mother, his mental health and his decision to give up his role as a senior royal. His speech comes as part of Harry’s ongoing campaign to open conversations about mental health; a campaign that has caused a noted increase in calls to mental health charities.
A source told Page Six: ‘Harry spoke about mental health and how he has been in therapy for the past few years to try to overcome the trauma of losing his mother. He talked about how the events of his childhood affected him and that he’s been talking to a mental health professional.’
‘He said he felt trapped as a Royal although he said his relationship with the Queen was still OK. Harry also touched on Megxit, saying while it has been very difficult for him and Meghan, he does not regret their decision to step down as senior Royals because he wants to protect his family.’
That night, it is reported that Harry and Meghan spent the evening dining with fellow JP Morgan guests, Jennifer Lopez and her fiancé Alex Rodriguez.
‘They got on really well with Jennifer and Alex, and spent some time chatting with them over dinner,’ an onlooker reported to Page Six. ‘J-Lo was overheard inviting the couple and their baby Archie to her and Alex’s house in Miami to spend time with them and their kids.’
In a marked difference to their A-list experience in Miami, the Queen has asked Harry and Meghan to join the rest of the Royal Family for the Commonwealth service at Westminster Abbey on March 9. Expected to arrive in the UK with Archie in tow, this will be Harry and Meghan’s final round of official royal engagements before returning to their new base in Canada, attending the service as president and vice-president of the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust.
It is understood that negotiations over the couple’s financial and living arrangements – including their security – are continuing. Currently, 95% of the couple's income comes from Prince Charles's Duchy of Cornwall; a vast portfolio of property and financial investments which brought in £21.6m last year.
It is likely that public speaking engagements will become a staple for Harry and Meghan. Likewise, TV production, book deals, a fashion range and the launch of a charitable foundation have been suggested by royal experts as viable forms of income. Currently, the couple have had numerous work offers from the world of showbiz. For example, since announcing their split, Meghan has signed a voice over deal with Disney and is reportedly looking at properties and agents in LA, while Harry already has plans to team up with Oprah for a mental health documentary this year.
According to The Sunday Times, palace aides remain concerned that the couple may be seen to be ‘cashing in’. Either way, if it means they can get an invite to J-Lo’s place, then it seems like it can only be a good move to us.
READ MORE
All The Signs We Missed That Harry And Meghan Were Planning To Quit Royal Life
The Queen Says Harry And Meghan Will Lose Royal HRH Titles And Pay Back Public Funds
Meghan Markle And Prince Harry's Relationship Timeline
1 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle met in London in July 2016.
2 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
They were introduced by mutual friend Markus Anderson, who is the director of Soho House.
3 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
In October 2016, the Express became the first newspaper to publish news that Prince Harry had a new girlfriend.
4 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
On November 8th 2016, Kensington Palace released an unprecedented statement which referring to Markle as Harry's girlfriend for the first time.
5 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
In the statement, Prince Harry condemned the 'wave of abuse and harrassment' faced by Markle, saying that he was 'worried about Ms. Markle's safety and is deeply disappointed that he has not been able to protect her.'
6 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Marklec
'It is not right that a few months into a relationship with him that Ms. Markle should be subjected to such a storm,' the statement continued.
7 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
The couple were papped together for the first time in December 2016, shopping for a Christmas tree in London at the Pines and Needles store.
8 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Later that week, they were seen on London's West End, catching a performance of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.
9 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
In February, Prince Harry wore a his 'n' hers bracelet on the cover of Town & Country magazine, just weeks after Markle was pictured wearing the same one on Instagram.
10 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
In March 2017, Meghan joined Prince Harry in the Caribbean for the wedding of his friend's Tom 'Skippy' Inskip and Lara Hughes-Young.
11 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
It was the first time that Markle accompanied Harry to a wedding, marking another milestone occasion for the couple.
12 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
The first public event attended by the couple was the polo at Coworth Park in May 2017.
13 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Later in May, Markle attended the party portion of Pippa Middleton's wedding to James Middelton.
14 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Prince Harry was seen driving her to the event after the church ceremony.
15 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
The couple were photographed together the following day at the wheelchair tennis.
16 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
The couple 'broke with royal protocol' by holding hands and appearing affectionate while at the Invictus Games.
17 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Meghan referred to Harry as her boyfriend numerous times, saying: 'We're a couple. We're in love. I'm sure there will be a time when we will have to come forward and present ourselves and have stories to tell, but I hope what people understand is that this is our time.'
18 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
In early November 2017, it was reported that Meghan Markle was leaving Suits after seven series.
19 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Much was made of Markle's choice of outfit: ripped jeans and a white blouse called 'The Husband'.
20 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Although Prince Harry was sat next to First Lady Melania Trump at the event, rather than his girlfriend, she was only seated a few rows behind him.
21 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
The couple made their first official public appearance in September, when Markle attended the opening of Prince Harry's Invictus Games.
22 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
In mid-November 2017, bookies suspending betting on an impending royal engagement, as speculation grew that an announcement was about to be made.
23 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
On November 27th 2017, Prince Charles announced the engagement of his younger son Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after 15 months of dating.
24 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
The couple later appeared at a photocall, with Markle wearing a white dress coat by Canadian brand Line The Label. The website has subsequently crashed.
25 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
The engagement ring, by Cleave and Company, was reportedly designed by Prince Harry himself, using two stones that belonged to Princess Diana.
26 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
When asked by waiting photographers if the proposal was romantic, Harry joked 'of course!'
27 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
The couple indulged in some PDA at the closing ceremony.
28 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Meghan wore a maroon midi dress with a pleated chiffon skirt by one of her favourite Canadian brands Aritzia.
29 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
She teamed it with a matching burgundy biker jacket by Mackage.
30 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Prince Harry reportedly spent time with Meghan's mother Doria while at the Games too.
31 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Prince Harry was photographed kissing Meghan.
32 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
In late September 2017, it was reported that Meghan had met the Queen, prompting speculation that the relationship was getting serious.