When it took place two years ago, Harry and Meghan’s marriage was considered by many as one of the biggest royal events in a long time.
Since then, they have been the center of many talking points, most notably because of their highly publicized departure from the royal family.
However, former UK Minister of State Norman Baker estimates that the economic toll the couple has taken on the British taxpayers is one of the few things about the couple that have managed to slip under the radar. Baker wrote to the Daily Mail that he expects the couple has used some $53 million off of British taxpayers.
Baker’s expertise and experience in the field is not negligible. Not only did he serve 5 years in a cabinet position, but he has also written a book that looked into the financial status of the royal family titled “And What Do You Do?”.
Baker did say that the numbers may be higher or lower, although he suspects that his numbers are more likely to underestimate rather than overestimate the costs. The British royal family are notoriously secretive with their finances.
Baker then goes on to explain how he reached his estimation by going through various expenditures. He says that the couple decided to refurbish an apartment for £1.4 million, just to change their minds and go live in a different house that the Queen granted for them.
Moreover, the reason for their fickleness had nothing to do with understandable reasons such as security. Reportedly, they decided to move to a new location because the apartment was too close to William and Kate. Meghan has been blamed for driving a wedge between the brotherly relationship.
If that wasn’t enough, the couple famously decided to sever all ties with the royal family except in the familial sense. Baker explains that the costs of moving to the US has also been paid by the British taxpayers.
The couple did vow to repay £18,000 monthly for the cost of renovating their second home in the UK. Baker says that the gesture is more symbolic as it would take them 25 years to fully pay back the loan – without any interests to the taxpayers.
The cost of hiring staff, security and flying a eco-friendly jet were also identified as other categories with which the couple spent the British taxpayers money.
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Replaced!