The Royal Family seems to have welcomed Meghan Markle into their fold with open arms, but according to The Telegraph, it came at a hefty cost.
Last year, Prince Charles spent $8.61 million on the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry's activities, compared to $6.11 million in 2016. The 40 per cent increase coincides with Markle's engagement to Harry and when she started carrying out her first official duties, the site reports.
Prince Charles has always funded the activities and public engagements of his children and their families with his income from the Duchy of Cornwall — a private hereditary estate that has been passed down to the eldest son of each monarch since its creation in 1337.
Specifically, Charles covers his children and spouses' business expenses, which includes wardrobe costs and staff salaries.
According to a number of previous reports, Markle was not supposed to have access to the Duchy of Cornwall fund until she officially wed Harry in May, which is why it was believed that the former "Suits" star paid for her entire royal wardrobe herself following her engagement.
If the Royal Family did bend the rules for Markle, it wouldn't be surprising since this has happened before. Last year, the Queen amended her "no ring, no bring" policy and allowed Markle to be the first fiancée to spend Christmas with her.
Regardless, Palace sources did not specify how much money was spent on Markle for her first royal engagements, or what the money was put towards, The Telegraph reports.
However, it is known that transportation to royal outings for Markle, Harry and the Cambridges was covered by the Queen's Sovereign Grant, which is paid by taxpayers.
But Markle isn't the sole reason Charles' spending increased so significantly in the past year. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have also taken on more responsibilities in their roles following Prince Philip's retirement last August and the Queen's reduction of engagements.
Plus, the past year has been a whirlwind for the Royal Family, who had many "moments of great joy," Clive Alderton, Prince Charles' principal private secretary, told The Telegraph.
"The Duke and Duchess of Sussex became engaged, their wedding itself seemed to me a day when not just the sun shone but Britain itself shone — and right round the world," Alderton said.
"The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge announced that they were expecting another child and the Prince of Wales's third grandchild Prince Louis was born in April."
The 2018-19 year for the Royal Family is also expected to be quite eventful. Not only is Prince William currently wrapping up his royal tour of the Middle East, but his youngest boy, Prince Louis, will be christened in less than two weeks on July 9.
Additionally, Harry and Markle are set to visit Dublin, Ireland in early July and head to Sydney, Australia in the fall for the 2018 Invictus Games as part of their first royal tour as a married couple.