Here's what Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's future could hold now that they're leaving the royal family
- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's decision to step down as senior royals will have a dramatic impact on their future, as they will no longer be supported financially by the monarchy.
- However, they confirmed in an Instagram post that they still intend to carry out charity work on behalf of the Queen and launch their own charity, while splitting their time between the UK and North America.
- Although the couple have not disclosed how they plan to earn money outside of the royal family, there are plenty of possibilities.
- For instance, since the Duchess of Sussex renewed the trademark for her former lifestyle website, The Tig, last year, it's possible she could restart her journalism career.
- The decision to step back from royal life will also forever change their relationship with the royal family.
- "It's going rogue, doing things their way and at a considerable cost to the institution Harry was brought up to serve," royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told Insider.
- So far, the Queen has been the only member of the family to publicly acknowledge the couple's statement, and the BBC reports that the family was not officially informed before the announcement was made.
- Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's plans to step down as senior royals will certainly impact the rest of their lives, both financially and personally.
Considering the fact Meghan Markle and Prince Harry reportedly did not consult the royal family before making the announcement, according to the BBC, it's unknown what this could mean for their relationship with the monarch moving forward.
"This was a bombshell," royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told Insider. "It was very irresponsible not to consult the Queen and senior royals, and to act before all this had been carefully planned.
"It's going rogue, doing things their way and at a considerable cost to the institution Harry was brought up to serve," he added.
That's not all — the couple said they plan to be financially independent, despite keeping their Frogmore Cottage home, the $3 million refurbishment of which was just paid for by British taxpayers.
Here's what Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's future as "regular" citizens could look like moving forward.
There a number of ways they could earn money without the support of the royal family
Until now, Harry and Markle received funds from the Queen's Sovereign Grant, which they described on their website as "the annual funding mechanism of the monarchy that covers the work of the Royal Family in support of HM The Queen including expenses to maintain official residences and workspaces."
The site added: "While the contribution from The Sovereign Grant covers just five percent of costs for The Duke and Duchess and is specifically used for their official office expense, Their Royal Highnesses prefer to release this financial tie."
Since the couple are no longer going to have their office funded by the Queen, that means it's unlikely Her Majesty will fund their new charity, the Sussex Royal Foundation, due to launch later in 2020.
There's also the matter of the couple's living costs. While they currently reside in Frogmore Cottage, which was gifted to them by the Queen, they also plan to divide their time between the UK and North America.
Together, the couple have an estimated net worth of $30 million, that derives from Harry's inheritance from Princess Diana, his annual allowances from Prince Charles, and Markle's income from starring in the hit television series "Suits," as well as endorsement deals and sponsorships, Business Insider previously reported.
Although they have not gone into detail about how they plan to earn their money, there are a number of possibilities.
Before joining the royal family, Markle ran her own lifestyle website, The Tig. The content on the site varied from interviews with famous chefs to fashion guides, gift guides, as well as personal open letters from Markle herself.
In September 2019, rumors that the duchess could be relaunching the site surfaced after her business manager filed to renew the trademark for The Tig.
At the time, Buckingham Palace said this was done to prevent others from "purporting to be the duchess or affiliated with her."
Markle could also make a return to acting. Although the concept may seem far fetched, she wouldn't actually be the first royal to make a career in film after leaving her royal role behind.
For instance, Thailand's Princess Ubolratana embarked on a film career after she was forced to drop her title because she married an American. She starred in the Thai films, "Where The Miracle Happens" (2008), "My Best Bodyguard" (2010), and "Together" (2012).
As for the Duke of Sussex, he was responsible for launching the international sporting contest, The Invictus Games, for wounded or injured for servicemen and women.
According to the official website, the games "uses the power of sport to inspire recovery, rehabilitation, and generate a wider understanding and respect for wounded, injured, and sick Servicemen and women."
It's all speculation at the moment, but there's nothing to say the duke couldn't use these skills to launch another international contest or sporting event of a similar nature.
Their relationship with the royal family will be forever changed
"Meghan and Harry's royal step back will massively backfire," Eric Schiffer, brand management expert, told Insider.
"Revolutionizing history means destroying core family values, which splinters the citizen connection. Running from the bloodline responsibilities won't recover a reputation but rather ruin it."
This comes as reports suggest the couple did not consult the royal family before releasing their statement on Wednesday evening.
The only member of the family to speak out since then has been the Queen. A spokesperson for the monarch said in a statement that "discussions with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are at an early stage."
"We understand their desire to take a different approach, but these are complicated issues that will take time to work through," the statement continued.
It also implied that the couple may not have been given Her Majesty's blessing — and judging by what palace insiders have to say, it seems the feeling could be mutual for most of the royal household.
One palace aide told the Daily Mail: "People had bent over backwards for them. They were given the wedding they wanted, the house they wanted, the office they wanted, the money they wanted, the staff they wanted, the tours they wanted, and had the backing of their family. What more did they want?'"
Another royal source told the publication: "It's deeply unfair to the Queen who doesn't deserve to be treated this way.
"It is a shoddy way to treat her," they added. "The family understands that they want to do something different and is perfectly willing to help them. People are just devastated.'"
Meanwhile, one royal source told the Daily Mail that the Queen and her family were "deeply disappointed" while another added that the family were "shocked, saddened, and downright furious" at the couple.
However, royal commentator Nigel Cawthorne told Insider there is likely more to the story.
"They gave the Sussexes the cold shoulder, gunning for them with press leaks to make them look bad," said Cawthorne, author of "Call Me Diana: The Princess of Wales on the Princess of Wales."
"It is an even bigger disaster than Prince Andrew's tin-eared Epstein interview because it involves the new generation."
He added: "The royal family will be severely damaged by this in the long-term. It is yet another dangerous instance where the palace looks out of touch with the young generation of Brits."
As the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and other members of the family are yet to release an official statement on the matter, only time will tell.
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