Prince Harry is poised to inherit a significant fortune as he turns 40 on September 15, and the news is reportedly stirring tensions within the royal family. Sources claim that Prince William is particularly upset about his brother receiving a substantial financial windfall from a trust set up by their great-great-grandmother, the Queen Mother.
The Duke of Sussex, who will inherit £7 million from the trust, is set to receive a larger portion than Prince William due to the fact that the Prince of Wales is already benefitting from the Duchy of Cornwall’s wealth. This imbalance in inheritance has reportedly left Prince William discontented, especially considering Harry’s recent criticisms of the royal family.
A source close to the situation told Closer:
“William’s pretty disgusted that once again Harry’s going to be cashing out and taking millions back to his Montecito home without lifting a finger for it. There’s nothing he can do about it, aside from shaking his head, but if it were up to him, Harry would not be getting this payday. William doesn’t think his brother is in any position to be getting this handout and he’s letting it be known that he thinks it’s a pretty rotten situation. William and Kate don’t trust Harry or Meghan one bit, so the idea that Harry’s now cashing in on his great-Granny’s inheritance leaves a very bitter taste in their mouths.”
Since leaving the UK and stepping back as senior royals in 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have openly criticized the royal family in various high-profile interviews and in Harry’s memoir, Spare. Among other revelations, Harry claimed in Spare that he was left with stitches after a physical altercation with William, and Meghan alleged that Princess Kate left her in tears before her wedding day. Meghan also made accusations of racism against an unnamed member of the royal family during her interview with Oprah Winfrey.
These revelations have reportedly fueled William’s frustration with his brother. According to Closer, Prince William believes that Harry’s upcoming inheritance is unjust, stating that it shows Harry is “essentially being rewarded after the terrible treatment he’s shown them all” and that it “is just wrong on so many levels.”
The inheritance from the Queen Mother is a point of contention due to Harry’s current status outside the royal fold. Commentators have weighed in on the matter, suggesting that had the Queen Mother foreseen the current situation, she might have made different decisions regarding the trust.
Royal biographer Christopher Andersen told Fox News:
“Of course, the prince’s great-granny couldn’t have anticipated all the trouble Harry caused the rest of the family. I think she would have cut him out of [the trust] entirely had she known.”
These financial and familial tensions come amid a backdrop of strained relations between the brothers. While Harry once expressed a hope that their paths would eventually align and that they could heal their relationship, the current dynamics appear to be as fractured as ever. William and Kate’s reported mistrust of Harry and Meghan further complicates any potential reconciliation.
The Prince of Wales’s dissatisfaction with the inheritance arrangement highlights the ongoing complexities and challenges within the royal family as they navigate public scrutiny and internal discord.
