If there’s one good thing that has come out of the Sussexes’ departure from The Firm, it’s that the family will have to report fewer expenses, especially since Meghan Markle’s spending habits were an issue of concern among taxpayers.
Earlier this year, the couple dropped a bombshell announcement on Instagram that they will no longer be working as senior members of the royal family. The news came as a shock, not just to their fans but also to the Queen herself, who was blindsided by her grandson’s decision.
And while the move might have seemed abrupt to the outsiders, sources reveal that Meghan and Harry had been planning their exit from the family for quite some time.
But it wasn’t just their lofty titles that Sussexes turned their backs on. The couple also gave up their lavish lifestyles, an extravagant cottage on the Frogmore grounds and every other luxury a senior member of the royal family is entitled to.
Here are some of the most insane things Meghan Markle spent the taxpayers’ money on during her brief stint as the Duchess of Sussex.
Despite their millionaire statuses, the royal family’s frugal spending habits are no secret. The Queen herself is a great source of inspiration when it comes to leading a humble lifestyle because she even cuts corners around the electricity bill by only using a heater in her audience room instead of heating up the entire palace.
The royal staff has also received strict instructions to not leave any lights or electrical appliances on in an empty room.
Kate is also inspired by the Queen’s frugal spending habits and it reflects in her minimalistic wardrobe. The Duchess of Cambridge has even re-worn some of her outfits just to prove that she’s the queen of frugal spending.
But Meghan’s spending habits since joining the royal family have been far from modest. The former Suits actress spend $739,000 on her maternity wardrobe, compared to Kate’s measly $123,000, which subjected her to even more public scrutiny than she was already getting.
To make matters worse, the Duchess spent $50,000 on her babymoon and several other eyebrow-raising expenses such as private jet travel, expensive holidays, and a grand renovation project at the Frogmore Cottage.
But now that the couple has been cut loose, they have the potential to gain financial independence. Some experts have predicted that Meghan will return to Hollywood while Harry might earn his income from public appearances and film production gigs.