Public unimpressed by Meghan Markle's spending

Kristine Tarbert
·Features and Health Editor
Updated
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attends a reception hosted by the British Ambassador to Morocco at the British Residence during the second day of her tour of Morocco on February 24, 2019 in Rabat, Morocco. (Photo by Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage)
Meghan has racked up quite a bill in her first year as a royal. Photo: Getty

A royal expert has revealed members of the British public are not happy with the amount of taxpayer money Meghan Markle appears to have spent in her first year as a royal.

According to biographer Angela Levin, author of Harry: Conversations with the Prince, people have “baulked” at the Duchess’ spending for 2018, which is estimated at $740,000.

“I think Meghan on occasion has been extravagant, which has not gone down well," Angela said during an appearance on The Conservative Woman.

Her $550,000 baby shower and $5.5m home renovation are already making this year’s bill look even bigger.

Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex (R) and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex leave after attending a Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey in central London, on March 11, 2019. - Britain's Queen Elizabeth II has been the Head of the Commonwealth throughout her reign. Organised by the Royal Commonwealth Society, the Service is the largest annual inter-faith gathering in the United Kingdom. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP) (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images)
Her total bill for 2018 is said to be over $700K. Photo: Getty

"The Queen is known to be frugal and some members of the British public have balked at a proportion of their tax going towards what they consider to be frivolity,” Angela continued.

Meghan Markle’s maternity wardrobe

Even Meghan’s maternity wardrobe was said to have cost close to $900K.

According to research conducted by fashion search engine Love the Sales, the Duchess of Sussex’s grand total of 76 outfits since October 2018 came in at an estimated AU$888,000.

To garner a greater understanding of the Kensington Palace bill, that’s approximately $12,000 per outfit including jewellery.

The Duke of Sussex and the Duchess of Sussex during his visit to WE Day UK at the SSE Arena in Wembley, London. (Photo by Jonathan Brady/PA Images via Getty Images)
Meghan and Harry have spent over $5m on the renovations of Frogmore Cottage. Photo: Getty

Meghan Markle’s expensive baby shower

And who could forget the baby shower brimming with celebrities in one of the most expensive penthouse hotel rooms in New York City.

Angela called the cost of Meghan’s baby shower - estimated to be $550,000 - an "excessive amount whoever offered to pay for it, especially for someone who calls herself a humanitarian".

Even Prince William was said to be fuming over the opulent affair, after photos emerged of his sister-in-law in the Big Apple.

“I think Prince William will be angered by all of Meghan’s lavish extravagance this week and the fact her baby shower looked so ‘celebrity’ rather than ‘royal’,” Princess Diana’s former butler, Paul Burrell, wrote in a column for The Sun.

“He has spent years working with the press to give them what they want but also gets what he wants in return – privacy.

“Meghan is doing exactly what he doesn’t – courting attention all for her and her baby.”

Got a story tip? Send it to lifestyle.tips@verizonmedia.com

Want more lifestyle and celebrity news? Follow Yahoo Lifestyle on Facebook,Twitter and Instagram.

Or sign up to our daily newsletter here.

Latest stories