As detailed in the book “Royals at War: The Untold Story of Harry and Megan’s Shocking Split with the House of Windsor,” co-authored by Dylan Howard and Andy Tillet, it should come as no surprise that Queen Elizabeth II kept a watchful eye on Meghan Markle’s spending habits. The revelations within the book shed light on Meghan’s extravagant expenditures, which raised eyebrows in royal circles. During 2018 alone, Meghan reportedly spent over half a million pounds on her public event wardrobe, with a staggering £1,000 dedicated solely to a trip to Africa.
These costs were compounded by expenses for her private life, including jewelry, the renovation of Frogmore Cottage, allowances from Prince Harry, her mother Doria, and even private trips with bodyguards to the US and Canada. This lavish spending did not go unnoticed among palace staff and insiders, especially considering that in the same year, Kate Middleton, the future Queen Consort, was reported to have spent a mere £80,000. The allowance provided to Doria also stirred public outrage, as it amounted to £10,000 per month and was drawn from the King’s personal finances. It was perceived as Meghan relying on her mother’s allowance, given Doria’s past legal troubles and time spent in jail. This financial support allowed Meghan and Harry to maintain their lifestyle.
It’s worth noting that this allowance was seen by some as a means to ensure Doria’s silence and perpetuate certain narratives, though it remained indirect and unclear whether King Charles was privy to this arrangement.
During this period, Meghan’s mother, unlike Kate Middleton’s family, did not have their independent source of income. Kate’s family had their party planning business, but they were not members of the British royal family—only Kate was.
The issue of repaying loans to Meghan’s father seemed to have been neglected, leading to financial strain for him. Some argue this was due to poor financial planning on Meghan’s part. Doria’s presence in Meghan and Harry’s life appeared constant, often with a hand out for financial assistance, which led to her being seen as a persistent presence, almost like a third wheel.
Curiously, Doria assumed the role of CFO (Chief Financial Officer) of a senior care agency, despite lacking significant prior experience in the field. This move raised questions, particularly given the prevalence of Medicare fraud within that industry. The agency, interestingly, seemed to have few clients, lacked customer reviews, and left little digital footprint. Initially, it even indicated cash-only payments. Doria was listed as the CFO, COO (Chief Operating Officer), and Secretary of the company.
In response to claims that Doria was not welcomed by the royal family before Meghan and Harry’s wedding, Lady C, a royal commentator, stated that Doria had been invited to numerous events, including those hosted by Prince William and Catherine. However, Doria often canceled at the last minute or attended briefly. Meghan’s constant presence alongside her mother raised questions about Meghan’s reasons for keeping Doria close to her during royal engagements. Doria’s ability to maintain discretion, likely stemming from her personal history, may have played a role in Meghan’s coaching and decision-making.
These insights from “Royals at War” provide a deeper understanding of the complexities within the royal family and the dynamics surrounding Meghan Markle and her mother, Doria.
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