In 1994, his late great-grandmother, the Queen Mother, established a trust fund valued at an estimated £19 million for her great-grandchildren. It was reported that Princes William and Harry would inherit around £14 million from her estate, with Harry receiving the larger share, as William is expected to benefit financially when he ascends the throne.
As the heir to the throne, the Prince of Wales is entitled to the surplus profits from the Duchy of Cornwall estate. In the last financial year, this provided William with an annual private income of more than £23 million, as shown in royal accounts released in July.
According to The Telegraph, both brothers received £6 million at age 21 and an additional £8 million upon turning 40. William reached this milestone on June 21, 2022, while Harry recently expressed his excitement ahead of his 40th birthday on September 15.
In addition to the Queen Mother’s trust fund, Harry also inherited a fortune from his mother, Princess Diana. When she tragically passed away in 1997, Diana left over £21 million in her will, though around £8 million went to inheritance tax.
The remaining £13 million was divided equally between William and Harry, with both receiving their full share upon turning 30. Diana also left her personal jewellery and wardrobe, including her iconic wedding dress, to her sons.
Reflecting on his inheritance, Harry told Oprah Winfrey in a 2021 interview, “I have what my mum left me, and without that, we wouldn’t have been able to do this,” referring to his and Meghan’s move to the United States after stepping back from royal duties in 2020.
While most of the late Queen’s estate was left to King Charles, it remains unclear if she or her late husband, Prince Philip, bequeathed any of their fortunes to their grandchildren or great-grandchildren.
A judge ruled that the wills of both Prince Philip, who passed away in April 2021, and Queen Elizabeth, who died in September 2022, would be sealed for at least 90 years, in keeping with a tradition for senior royals that has been in place for over a century.
