By withdrawing from the sovereign grant, the Sussexes have paved the way to bank a fortune.
No longer bound by royal work, Harry and Meghan are free for commercial deals that could include lucrative sponsorships.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex sensationally quit royal life last night - without even telling the Queen in advance about their bombshell announcement.
US public relations guru Ronn Torossian said the couple could now get “any endorsement deals in the world they may want”.
The CEO of New York-based PR firm 5WPR told the Mirror: “This news, while surprising to many, should not come as such a shock given that the clues were there for months.
“Many will see this as Harry abandoning the family, with increased irritation by taxpayers with royal spending and, of course, Prince Andrew’s ongoing scandal.
"The Royal Family is scarred right now, but not out for the count. Their legacy is much larger than just Meghan and Harry.
“That said, I think Meghan Markle will remain a huge superstar.
“Whether this will give Meghan and Harry the lower profile they seem to crave remains to be seen.
“They will have to be vigilant in maintaining their privacy, as well as ensure that their new charitable focus is well-received by the public.
“While this is a blow to the reputation of the Royal Family, their legacy is intact and will outlast Meghan and Harry.”
A well-placed royal source said: “Harry and Meghan have clearly set their sights on becoming one of the most famous and influential couples in the world.
“They clearly value their global appeal more than the institution of the Royal Family and have no doubt been advised they can turn their royal connections into a private enterprise.
“The jury is out to see how this will fare with public opinion in the United Kingdom, which is probably why they are choosing to divide their time between Harry’s home and America.”
Ever since walking down the aisle at Windsor Castle in May 2018, the pair have struggled intensely with being the world’s most photographed couple.
As they navigated public life, both became embroiled in a never-ending stream of negative stories, including a much-publicised rift between Harry and his brother William. Swapping Hollywood for royal life has been particularly tough on Meghan.
The former actress, 38, first sparked rumours they could be about to step out of the spotlight when she revealed she struggled to cope with pregnancy and the early stages of motherhood.
In an emotional confession to ITV’s Tom Bradby last October on her and Prince Harry ’s ten-day tour of Africa, she said the glare of the spotlight had made things more difficult at a time when she was “really vulnerable”.
Meghan told Bradby it was a “very real thing to be going through behind the scenes” and, asked whether it had “really been a struggle”, replied: “Yes.”
The tour, which ran from the end of September to early October, was unusual for a statement by Prince Harry, 35, in which he accused parts of the media of carrying out a “ruthless campaign” against his wife.
The Duke of Sussex’s public statement was issued on the couple’s website on October 1 as it was announced Meghan was suing a Sunday newspaper for publishing a private letter she had written to her father.
Although the move to spend part of the year in North America takes the couple out of daily contact with the royals, it brings Meghan closer to her California-based mother Doria Ragland.
The couple’s arrival across the Atlantic could also pave the way for a reconciliation with her father, Thomas Markle, 75, who the Duchess has not spoken to since she wed.
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