The moment Meghan rode the
horse-drawn carriage that took her and Prince Harry around Windsor, her life as
a normal citizen as she knew it, was over. But if she and he were to divorce,
determining whether she’d live like a normal citizen post-divorce depends on
the terms of their prenuptial agreement…
…which does not exist, for
two reasons:
1. They didn’t want to.
2. Members of the British
royal family usually don’t get one.
When you’re worth millions,
it’s wise to get a prenup, which is especially true for celebrities who are
known for their 72-hour marriages. Some say discussing prenup is a romance
killer, but couples ought to know that marriage is both a romantic and a
financial partnership.
And if there’s one crucial
lesson to be learned from multi-millionaires who did not get a prenup and ended
up divorcing their spouse, it’s that you end up rewarding your ex with a
boatload of cash and more.
Is
a pre-nup necessary for royals?
Just so we’re clear, the Duke
and Duchess of Sussex aren’t just celebrities, they’re members of the
royal family, too. And according to at least one “royal expert,” there’s a huge
difference between the two.
So
what would happen?
Meghan would take home a huge
settlement, plain and simple.
The two could probably weather
any marital storm that comes their way, but considering that 67% of second
marriages end up in divorce (this is Meghan’s second marriage), it’s not
pessimistic to predict a future where their ‘amicable separation’ makes the
headlines for weeks. With the exception of TMZ, no one enjoys seeing marriages
fail, but divorce statistics don’t lie.
In this union, there’s a lot
at stake for the English Prince. And based on what we know, any of the
following could happen:
1. Meghan would get a portion
of his wealth reportedly around $40-50 million, comprising his inheritance from
his late mother and the Queen Mother, and salary from his former stint as
Captain of the British Army. Because Megan is worth much less than her husband,
she would surely get a favorable settlement in case they split.
2. Negotiations would happen
outside of court, with Meghan getting a financial settlement, royal security
protection, and a new title. She might even reclaim her right to create a new
Instagram and a lifestyle blog.
3. Family law attorneys who
are adamant that a prenup is indispensable in high-profile marriages would be
proven right.
Harry and Meghan were said to
have broken royal traditions by holding hands during the ceremony. That’s
sweet, but should they separate, they’ll be bound by the basic principles of
divorce laws: Assets will be split 50:50, and judges will most likely decide
what’s best for their (future) children.
