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Topics: Prince Harry, Royal Family
Jess Hardiman
Topics: Prince Harry, Royal Family
While most of us are lucky if we get a tenner slipped into a card, the royal will be landing a substantial fortune from his late great-grandmother when he celebrates his next birthday soon.
The Queen Mother, who died in 2002 at the age of 101, put a number of measures in place to ensure her family inherited her staggering wealth.
According to The Times, thanks to these arrangements before her death, Prince Harry will be enjoying a particularly nice pay day when he celebrates a milestone birthday in September.
The 39-year-old father-of-two will inherit more than just family heirlooms, as he's set to receive a fraction of the Queen Mother's estimated £70 million fortune that she placed into a trust fund for her family.
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In fact, it’s been reported he’ll land a mammoth £7 million share of the riches when he hits 40.
What’s more, it’s expected to be a larger share of the extremely high inheritance pot than his older brother, Prince William, due to the financial arrangements within the family.
It’s certainly a nice little present to receive, some 20+ years after her death, although he’s obviously had quite a long wait on his hands.
But Christopher Andersen, author of The King, believes there’s a very good reason for the four-decade delay.
He told Fox News: “Why 40? To a woman who nearly lived to be 102, one can only imagine that 40 seemed like the perfect age to come into some extra cash — when you’re young enough to appreciate it but also old enough, and hopefully wise enough, not to blow it.
“Of course, the princes’ 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.”
As for why Harry’s set to receive more than his brother, podcaster Kinsey Schofield thinks this boils down to something equally straightforward.
Schofield, who hosts the To Di For Daily podcast, told the outlet: “Prince Harry is set to receive more money than Prince William because he is the spare," the 'heir and the spare' being a common phrase to refer to the child who will inherit a title or estate, and the backup heir.
“The Queen Mother knew he would have fewer opportunities and responsibilities. It was a logical and thoughtful decision.
“There will be no tensions as [the family] knew about this arrangement for decades. Prince William likely quietly inherited his share two summers ago when he turned 40.”