Saad Ullah
Prince Harry's financial journey represents a remarkable transformation from a young royal dependent on family allowances to an independent entrepreneur who has doubled his wealth in less than a decade. Born into privilege as the younger son of King Charles III and the late Princess Diana, Harry has navigated the complexities of royal life, military duty, and ultimately, financial independence alongside his wife Meghan Markle.
Prince Harry's First Steps: Military Career and Early Earnings
Prince Harry's professional journey began long before he became a household name for stepping back from royal duties. After completing his education at Eton College, Harry took a gap year in 2004, spending time working as a jackaroo on a cattle station in Australia. This hands-on ranch work represented his first taste of earning through labour, even if it wasn't substantial income.
His true career launched when he passed the Regular Commissions Board qualification in September 2004 and entered the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in May 2005. Harry spent 44 weeks in officer training before being commissioned as a Cornet in the Blues and Royals regiment in April 2006. This marked the beginning of what he would later call "the happiest time of my life."
During his decade-long military service from 2005 to 2015, Harry earned a modest salary by royal standards. Reports suggest he donated his approximately $45,000 annual Army Air Corps salary to charity, demonstrating his commitment to service over personal enrichment. As a working royal during this period, the Duchy of Cornwall covered his expenses, providing him with an estimated $800,000 yearly allowance that he shared with Meghan after their marriage. This arrangement meant his military service was more about duty than building wealth.
How Prince Harry Net Worth Grew Through Career Development
Harry's military career progressed steadily as he rose through the ranks. He was promoted to Lieutenant in April 2008 after his first tour in Afghanistan, where he served as a forward air controller coordinating airstrikes on Taliban positions. His dedication led him to train as an Apache helicopter pilot, a prestigious and challenging role that required exceptional skill.
During his second deployment to Afghanistan from September 2012 to January 2013, Harry served as a helicopter copilot and gunner, spending twenty weeks in active combat. He was promoted to Captain in April 2011 and eventually received honorary promotions to Major in the British Army, Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Navy, and Squadron Leader in the Royal Air Force in June 2018, though he later returned these titles after stepping back from royal duties.
Throughout this period, prince harry net worth was substantially supported by inheritance rather than earnings. When Harry turned 25, he began receiving annual dividends from his late mother Princess Diana's estate, amounting to roughly $450,000 per year. At 30, he inherited half of his mother's fortune, estimated at $17 million. Additionally, his great-grandmother, the Queen Mother, left him $8.5 million in a trust that he accessed on his 40th birthday in September 2024.
Peak Success: When Prince Harry Net Worth Reached New Heights
The turning point in Harry's financial trajectory came after he and Meghan Markle stepped back from royal duties in January 2020. The couple announced their intention to become "financially independent" while still supporting the monarchy. This bold move initially left them with only about $10 million to their name in 2021, according to Forbes.
However, their decision to forge their own path proved financially lucrative. In September 2020, Harry and Meghan signed a groundbreaking five-year production deal with Netflix reportedly worth up to $150 million. Through this agreement, they launched Archewell Productions to create documentaries, scripted content, and children's programming. Their docuseries "Harry & Meghan" became a ratings phenomenon, though subsequent projects like "Polo" and "Live to Lead" received more modest reception.
In December 2020, they secured a three-year podcasting deal with Spotify valued at $18 million. Although this partnership ended prematurely in 2023 after Meghan produced just 12 episodes of her "Archetypes" podcast, it still contributed significantly to their wealth. In 2021, Harry signed a four-book publishing deal with Penguin Random House worth up to $40 million. His memoir "Spare," released in January 2023, earned him a $20 million advance and became a bestseller despite straining relationships with his family.
Harry also joined BetterUp, a Silicon Valley coaching platform, as Chief Impact Officer in March 2021. While his exact compensation hasn't been disclosed, the role at the company valued at $1.7 billion added another income stream. By 2025, prince harry net worth had reached an estimated $60 million, nearly double what he was worth in 2017 before meeting Meghan.
Prince Harry Net Worth in 2025: Current Financial Status
Today, Prince Harry's financial picture remains strong but is experiencing some shifts. His combined net worth with Meghan Markle stands at approximately $60 million according to Celebrity Net Worth, though some sources estimate it as high as $70 million. The couple owns a $14.7 million mansion in Montecito, California, where they live with their two children, Archie and Lilibet.
In January 2025, Harry received another financial boost when he reached a settlement exceeding $12 million with News Group Newspapers, publisher of The Sun, for illegal information-gathering practices. This substantial payout further solidified his financial independence. However, there are indications that the couple's income streams face challenges. Reports from July 2025 confirmed that Netflix would not renew their production deal when it expires in September, potentially eliminating a major revenue source.
Sources have also suggested the couple is cutting back on staff due to tightening finances, though they continue to maintain their foundation, Archewell Inc. Harry remains active in philanthropic work, including making a personal £1.1 million donation to Children in Need in September 2025. Despite the ups and downs, Harry's diverse portfolio of investments, real estate, inheritances, and intellectual property ensures his financial security for years to come. He continues to earn income from speaking engagements, where he commands substantial fees for keynote addresses at international summits.
Prince Harry's Philosophy on Success and Life
Beyond financial achievements, Prince Harry has shared valuable insights about what truly matters in building a meaningful life. His approach to success goes far beyond accumulating wealth and reflects the values instilled by his late mother, Princess Diana.
- Authenticity and Honesty: Harry consistently emphasizes the importance of being genuine. "The key is to be honest and authentic with yourself and others," he has stated. This philosophy guided his decision to leave royal life when he felt it was destroying his mental health. He believes that true success comes from living according to your values, even when it means taking difficult paths.
- Mental Fitness and Self-Development: As Chief Impact Officer at BetterUp, Harry advocates strongly for mental health awareness. "Self-optimisation is not about fixing something that's broken," he explains. "It's about becoming the best version of ourselves, with whatever life throws at us." He encourages people to seek coaching and support, having used a personal coach himself.
- Learning from Failure: Harry promotes embracing setbacks as growth opportunities. "Learn from your failures and use them as stepping stones to success," he advises. His own journey, filled with public scrutiny and personal struggles, demonstrates this principle. He openly discusses how shutting down his emotions after his mother's death affected both his personal life and work for two decades.
- Service Before Self: Despite his wealth, Harry maintains that purpose matters more than money. "Part of my role and part of my job is to shine a spotlight on issues that need that spotlight," he says. His charitable work, military service, and founding of the Invictus Games for wounded veterans reflect this commitment. He reportedly donated his entire Army salary to charity, prioritizing impact over income.
- Choosing Your Circle: Harry stresses surrounding yourself with positive influences. "Surround yourself with positive influences and those who lift you up," he counsels. This philosophy influenced his decision to distance himself from toxic media environments and build a supportive community in California.
- Taking Risks and Stepping Outside Comfort Zones: Harry encourages boldness in pursuing dreams. "Don't be afraid to take risks and step outside of your comfort zone," he advocates. His own life exemplifies this—from serving in combat zones to leaving royal life for an uncertain future with Meghan.
- Staying Positive: He believes in focusing on small victories. "Stay positive and focus on the small victories along the way," Harry advises. This mindset helped him navigate the challenges of building a new life while facing intense media criticism.
- Using Privilege Responsibly: Perhaps most importantly, Harry believes those in privileged positions have a duty to help others. "If you're in a position of privilege, if you can put your name to something that you genuinely believe in, you can smash any stigma you want," he states. This principle, inherited from his mother, drives his advocacy work on mental health, veterans' issues, and social justice.
Harry's success philosophy ultimately centres on authenticity, compassion, and using whatever platform you have to make a positive difference. As he told Newsweek, his mother taught him to appreciate ordinary life, saying, "Thank goodness I'm not completely cut off from reality." This grounding, combined with his willingness to be vulnerable about his struggles, makes his advice particularly resonant for those seeking meaningful success beyond mere financial accumulation.
Saad Ullah
