LONDON – Prince Enrique and his wife Meghan Merkle say they want to have “economic independence” from British royalty. That independence, however, is a complex issue and does not necessarily imply that they will stop receiving money from the royal family.
In making their surprise announcement that they plan to take distance from royalty, Enrique and Meghan said they intend to work for a living while still supporting the work of Queen Elizabeth II, Enrique’s grandmother. That poses some problems, according to royalty observers.
“To be honest, I don’t think this works,” said David McClure, a television producer and writer who analyzed the finances of the royal family in his book “The legacy of royalty.”
“How do they have one foot in and one outside? Half of the week serving public functions and the other generating income with presentations on television, dissertations and books? ”McClure asked. “This is fraught with risks.”
Enrique and Meghan do not seem to have coordinated anything with the Royal Palace, which said in a statement that conversations about the couple’s future “are in their initial stages” and that there were “complex issues to be resolved.”
On Thursday, the 93-year-old queen took control of the situation and arranged for a meeting between representatives of the monarchy – her son, Prince Charles; their grandchildren, princes Guillermo and Enrique, and Meghan- to seek a “viable solution … in days, not weeks,” according to the British state news agency, the Press Association.
Speculation abounds about the meaning that the term “economic independence” may have.
Harry, who is 35, and Meghan, 38, say they don’t want to receive more money from taxpayers, which cost 5% of the royal family’s operations. But they could continue to receive funds from Enrique’s father, Prince Charles, owner of a vast fortune in land and property of the Duchy of Cornwall.
The bulk of the expenses of Enrique and Meghan are paid by the funds provided by Carlos, whose fortune finances his own activities and his wife Camilla, and those of his children Guillermo and Enrique.
The Duchy of Cornwall was established in 1337 and its statutes, dating from medieval times, stipulate that Carlos cannot sell any of his assets, but is entitled to the income they generate, which last year was about 21.6 million of pounds (28.2 million dollars).
Enrique and Meghan could stop receiving money from taxpayers but continue living on what Carlos gives them, and argue that they have economic independence from the state.
They were recently criticized for using 2 million pounds (2.6 million dollars) to remodel their home near Windsor Castle. And they say they plan to continue residing in the Frogmore Cottage, owned by the royal family, when they are in England, if the queen mother allows it.
Enrique and Meghan also have their own assets. Enrique inherited about 7 million pounds (9.1 million dollars) from his mother, Princess Diana, who has been generating interest, and money from his great grandmother. Meghan became a millionaire as the protagonist of the popular television series “Suits” (Suits).
Before marrying Enrique, Meghan was a personality with great drag, which sets trends in terms of lifestyle, such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Reese Witherspoon.
He had a blog called The Tig and an internet portal and an Instagram account that he stopped using when he married Enrique.
“I could re-launch The Tig with another format. People want to know what they look like, what they eat, how they live. Without a doubt, she is aware of the power of appearances, ”said Lauren Sherman, a New York correspondent for the London portal Business of Fashion.
Meghan’s clothes as Duchess of Sussex wear out quickly and are very sought after on the internet.
Last year Meghan collaborated with the designer Misha Nonoon, who is her friend, in the creation of a line of work clothes for the benefit of the charitable organization Smart Works, which provides work clothes and training to low-income women.
In theory, any trip abroad made by the couple must be paid by the state as they are considered goodwill ambassadors. Enrique and Meghan said they will allow the state to pay them when they fulfill official functions only.
Another aspect surrounded by uncertainty is that of your personal safety, which is protected by a special unit of the Metropolitan Police called Scotland Yard. There is no evidence that Enrique and Meghan plan to give up that custody.
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