Newly released of their obligations to the royal family, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were paid handsomely to speak at a multinational banking summit in their pursuit to become “financially independent.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex earned more than $500,000 for appearing at the JP Morgan banking conference Alternative Investment Summit held at Miami’s South Beach’s 1 Hotel, where rooms cost up to $5,000 a night. Held in December, the appearance marked the couple’s first public appearance since a fallout with the royal family after they announced their intentions to “step back” from royal duties.
Harry and Meghan’s appearance at the annual summit, which has hosted millionaire guests such as former baseball player Alex Rodriguez and Microsoft CEO Bill Gates, was kept “hush-hush” for security purposes.
Ronn Torossian, CEO of New York public relations firm 5WPR, told Metro that “the event is a massive win for JP Morgan.”
“There is no celebrity in the world hotter than them. The Obamas? You alienate some Republicans. Kim Kardashian and Kanye West can’t hold a candle,” said Torossian. “Meghan and Harry have huge earning potential. From book deals to brand endorsements, to appearances, their opportunities are unlimited.”
The couple reportedly stayed at the mansion of tennis star Serena Williams, and Harry’s speech touched on how his mother Princess Diana’s death affected his childhood. Meghan has been living in Canada since leaving the United Kingdom. Last week, Madonna offered them her New York City apartment to sublet.
