Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have repaid the taxpayer-funded renovation costs on their U.K. home, it was confirmed Monday.
In a statement on Monday, a spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex tells PEOPLE that Harry "fully covered" the renovation costs, which were said to be around $3 million. The costs had originally been paid by the Sovereign Grant, the U.K. fund set aside for royals that is fueled by taxpayers.
"A contribution has been made to the Sovereign Grant by the Duke of Sussex," the statement said. "This contribution as originally offered by Prince Harry has fully covered the necessary renovation costs of Frogmore Cottage, a property of Her Majesty The Queen, and will remain the U.K. residence of the Duke and his family.”
The couple — who last week announced a production deal with Netflix worth tens of millions of dollars — moved into Frogmore Cottage in April 2019 shortly before the birth of their son, Archie. The original plan was to pay back the renovation costs in installments. The offer to settle their debts was made "proactively" by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, a source tells PEOPLE, adding that the pair wanted to ensure that there was no ongoing drain on public monies as they strive to become financially independent.
“It is an important step that they have wanted to take,” says a source close to them. “It is something they have proactively wanted to do since the word go. They have taken the initiative to do so.”
The monarchy has been 'left looking over its shoulder' at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle following their Netflix megadeal, a royal expert has claimed.
The Duke, 35, and the Duchess of Sussex, 39, who recently bought a $14million mansion in Barbara, have signed a new deal with the streaming service which could be worth as much as $150million, and say they want to provide 'hope and inspiration' with their upcoming projects.
Prince Harry and Meghan failed to tell the Queen, 94, about their Netflix deal before announcing it to the world, with aides telling her about the couple's new venture - which involves a yet-to-be-named production company set on making documentaries, feature films and children's programming.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who have never produced a TV show, will make documentaries, films, scripted and kids’ programmes in the new partnership.
'Her Majesty is all too aware of the pitfalls of when senior royals embark on lucrative projects - Prince Edwards’ production flop and some of the deals Sarah Ferguson has signed over the years to name a few,' the source told Fabulous.
'Her view is simple, the Royals are not for sale and danger surrounds high profile roles outside of the institution itself.'
They added, however, that the Queen, 'knowing her grandson Harry as she does', will appreciate that the duke and duchess can not be talked out of their plans.
Harry and Meghan said last week they had founded a production company to make documentaries, feature films, scripted shows and children's programmes.
They vowed to make 'impactful content that unlocks action' and name-checked Netflix chief executive Ted Sarandos and spoke of the firm's 'unprecedented reach'.
They are expected to make content which includes work on 'mental health', an animated series about women, a nature documentary and shows on community service.
However, royal officials 'will examine Harry and Meghan's Netflix deal' after they agreed to approval of any new commercial ventures when they quit public life, according to a source.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry just announced a major television appearance.
They will appear in the first-ever primetime TV event celebrating TIME magazine's annual list of the world’s most influential people, airing on ABC on September 22.
In a new promo shared by E! News, the couple were introduced simply as "Harry and Meghan," dropping their royal titles as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. However, a TIME article highlighting the event did include their titles, listing them as "the Duke and Duchess of Sussex Prince Harry and Meghan Markle."
Other stars appearing on the television show that will announce this year's honorees include Trevor Noah, Sandra Oh, Kumail Nanjiani and John Legend. There will also be performances by Halsey, Jennifer Hudson and The Weeknd.
"In a year in which we are unfortunately unable to convene the TIME100 community together in person, we are excited to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of the members of this year's list with a brand-new experience on ABC that will allow more people to participate than ever before," TIME studios president Ian Orefice said in a statement to E! News.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's newest move in their post-life move is reportedly ratcheting up the tension between the couple and the remaining members of the senior royal family. Earlier this month, the couple announced they have signed a multiyear deal with Netflix, thought to be worth more than $100 million. They'll produce content from feature films, scripted shows, a possible documentary on Princess Diana, children's programming, and a bunch of other binge-worthy content.
Not everyone is exactly thrilled about this, unfortunately. According to The Sun, many senior royals are very much against this new deal and the fact Harry would partner with the same company that produces The Crown.
"William and other senior royals are incredibly uncomfortable about this drama and livid Harry is now in partnership with the company that's airing it," said an insider to the publication. Any good royal fan knows that the royal family isn't exactly keen on The Crown. Still, the latest season, out on November 15, is set to cover Princess Diana's battle with bulimia.
Diana opened up about her struggles with the eating disorder in a 1995 interview with BBC, saying, "It was a symptom of what was going on in my marriage. I was crying out for help, but giving the wrong signals, and people were using my bulimia as a coat on a hanger: They decided that was the problem—Diana was unstable."
The production company Left Bank Pictures, which makes The Crown for Netflix, says they took extra precautions when filming this season and with the eating disorder scenes in particular. In a statement, the production company said, "Producers worked closely with the eating disorder charity, BEAT, to ensure that their portrayal of Princess Diana's bulimia in season four was both accurate to the disorder and sensitively handled."
Regardless the family is still reportedly upset. According to the insider, the royal family "wouldn't expect one of their own to take money made by the profits of shows like this."
Earlier this week, the royal family participated in a group Zoom call for Prince Harry's 36th birthday.
According to a report from The Mirror, however, Prince William and Kate Middleton skipped the group video chat.
"It was a bit awkward that William and Kate weren’t there," a royal source said.
On Tuesday, Prince Harry celebrated his 39th birthday and, even though he and his family are on separate continents this year, the royals still found a way to celebrate the occasion together—mostly, anyway.
According to the Mirror, Prince Charles organized a group Zoom call for the royal family in honor of Harry's special day. The Queen and Charles' wife, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, joined the call from the United Kingdom and Harry's wife, Meghan Markle, and their 16-month-old son, Archie, joined him on the call in their new home in Montecito, California. Harry's older brother, Prince William, and his sister-in-law, Kate Middleton, on the other hand, were noticeably absent from the virtual hangout.
"William sent his birthday best wishes," a royal source told the Mirror. "There was some excuse made about why he wasn’t there....It was a bit awkward that William and Kate weren’t there."
Still, those who did sign on for the Zoom party apparently had a great time.
"It was very pleasant. Harry told the family how much he missed them," the source explained. "Meghan baked a cake and Harry blew out candles. Archie made them laugh when he also blew them out."
Barbara, have signed a new deal with the streaming service which could be worth as much as $150million, and say they want to provide 'hope and inspiration' with their upcoming projects.
