Meghan Markle and Prince Harry could reportedly suffer financially because of the high cost of living in Santa Barbara.
Two weeks ago, reports revealed that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex purchased their first home together. A source told Us Weekly that Prince Harry could’ve asked for his dad’s help to pay for the property but he decided not to.
However, there are some claims suggesting that Prince Charles actually shouldered a huge chunk of Prince Harry and Markle’s house.
“Getting his dad financially involved could result in the royals having control over him. They want to grow old together, reminiscing about their amazing journey. This is the first home either of them has ever owned and they finally feel like they’re on their own and it feels great. They say this new house is their sanctuary,” the source said.
However, buying such an expensive home can cause problems in Prince Harry and Markle’s lives. Jennifer Leahy of US real estate firm, Douglas Elliman, says that the maintenance for large homes is roughly around $10,500 a month.
Butlers, a chef, housekeepers, and other household staff could cost over half a million per year. The fees for the gardener, chauffeur, personal assistants, and more are estimated at another $650,000 per year.
According to You South Africa, no one knows for sure how much Prince Harry and Markle’s salaries are. As such, it is unclear if they can afford this kind of lifestyle. However, there are predictions that it’s only a matter of time before they could struggle financially.
Royal author David McClure said that in his opinion, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex bought a property that’s way beyond their means.
“This puts a lot of pressure on them to generate a huge income and large commercial deals – so there’s a real danger of them accepting more controversial ventures,” he said.
Meanwhile, Prince Harry and Markle shared the first glimpse into their home when they made a video appearance on a YouTube channel. The clip reveals that the walls inside the couple’s new house are white.
According to reports, the sprawling mansion houses multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, a swimming pool, a tennis court, a library, a tea house, a sauna, a gym, and more.