Decades after her death, the Princess of Wales’ legacy continues to live on—and part of this is thanks to the fortune she left behind. Up ahead, we’re diving into everything we know about who inherited Princess Diana’s money after her death—from her children and their future families, to some unlikely characters.
Related: Who Will Inherit King Charles’ Money? Some Royals Might Get Left Out Of His Will
Born on July 1, 1961, in Sandringham, Norfolk, Diana Frances Spencer was destined to become one of the most beloved and influential figures of the 20th century. Growing up in an aristocratic family, young Diana’s life took a turn when she caught the eye of then-Prince Charles, the heir apparent to the British throne. Their relationship captivated the media, leading to a royal wedding televised around the world on July 29, 1981, at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. Charles and Diana’s marriage seemed like a dream come true, and the birth of their two sons—Prince William in 1982, and Prince Harry in 1984—only added to the public’s adoration of the young princess.
However, behind the scenes, all was not well in the royal marriage. Rumors of infidelity on both sides began to circulate, with Charles’ long-standing affair with his now-wife, Camilla Parker Bowles, becoming increasingly public. The strain on his relationship with Diana became difficult to hide, and in 1992, Prime Minister John Major announced the couple’s separation to everyone in the British nation. By 1996, Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s divorce was finalized.
Despite the turmoil in her personal life, Diana continued to win hearts around the world with her humanitarian work. She became known as the “People’s Princess” for her compassion and her ability to connect with people from all walks of life. Her work with AIDS patients, landmine victims, and numerous charities cemented her status as a global icon. Tragically, however, Diana’s life was cut short on August 31, 1997, when she was involved in a car accident in Paris. Her untimely death at the age of 36 sent shockwaves around the world.
In the wake of her passing, many wondered about who would inherit Princess Diana’s considerable estate. According to court documents, Princess Diana’s estate was valued at approximately 21.7 million pounds, equivalent to over 30 million US dollars at the time. After taxes, the net value of the estate was reduced to roughly 17 million US dollars.
Diana’s official will, along with a document known as her “Letter of Wishes,” outlined her desires for the distribution of her estate. Let’s take a closer look at who inherited Princess Diana’s money and treasured possessions after her death.
Who inherited Princess Diana’s money after her death?
One of the key elements of Diana’s estate planning was the establishment of a “Discretionary Fund.” This fund, initially funded with 100,000 pounds, was designed to benefit her children and their future families. The fund also included accumulated considerable interest and income from its assets. Additionally, the fund supports various charities close to Diana’s heart, partly through royalties earned from authorized commercial use of her likeness.
In addition to the fund, her beneficiaries received assets distributed from her estate and her “Letter of Wishes.” Keep on reading ahead for the full breakdown of who inherited Princess Diana’s money following her death.
What was Prince William’s inheritance from Princess Diana?
Image Credit: Getty Images. Prince William, next in line to the British throne, received a major portion of his mother’s estate following her death. When he turned 30 in 2012, William inherited approximately 10 million pounds (about 16 million US dollars at the time) from Diana’s fortune.
However, the path to this inheritance wasn’t straightforward. Diana’s original will stipulated that her sons would inherit their share of the estate at the age of 25. But shortly after her death, the executors of her will—Diana’s mother and sister—sought to make some changes in the form of an adjustment known as “The Arrangement.” This adjustment, which was taken to probate court in the UK, postponed the full inheritance until the princes turned 30, though they could receive interest from the trust beginning at the age of 25.
William’s inheritance wasn’t just about money, however. It also included some sentimental items from his mother’s personal collection. One of the most cherished items William received was his mother’s iconic sapphire and diamond engagement ring. William used this ring to propose to his now-wife, Kate Middleton, ensuring that a piece of Diana would always be a part of his love story. “Obviously, she’s not going be around to share in all the fun and excitement, so this is my way of keeping her close to it all,” William said in a 2010 interview with ITV News of his decision to propose with his mother’s ring.
Prince William also chose to keep his mother’s gold Cartier Tank Francaise watch as a keepsake after her death. This watch, a gift from Diana’s father, held a special meaning as Diana was often photographed wearing it after her divorce from William’s father, King Charles.
As of 2024, Prince William’s net worth is estimated to be around $100 million, which includes his inheritance from Diana and his royal assets.
What was Prince Harry’s inheritance from Princess Diana?
Image Credit: Getty Images. Like his brother, Prince Harry also received a large inheritance from his mother’s estate when he turned 30. The £10 million he inherited played a role in shaping his life choices, particularly his decision to step back from royal duties and pursue financial independence.
In his 2021 sit-down interview with Oprah Winfrey, Harry revealed that his inheritance allowed him to move to California with his wife, Meghan Markle, following their decision to step back from their roles as senior working members of the royal family. “I’ve got all my mom left me and without that we would not be able to do this,” Harry said at the time.
Harry has also spoken often about the profound impact his mother had on his life, and he’s made efforts to continue her charitable legacy. In 2017, he revealed that he used some of his inheritance to support the Terrence Higgins Trust, an HIV charity that was close to Diana’s heart.
Perhaps one of the most touching aspects of Harry’s inheritance was Diana’s sapphire and diamond engagement ring, which he initially chose to keep after her death. In an act of brotherly love, Harry later gave the ring to William when he decided to propose to Kate, feeling that it should be on the hand of the future Queen of England.
When proposing to Meghan Markle, Harry instead decided to design a ring that incorporated two diamonds from his mother’s personal collection. This thoughtful gesture ensured that Diana was, in a sense, present for this important moment in her youngest son’s life.
As of 2024, Prince Harry’s net worth is estimated to be around $60 million, which includes his inheritance from Diana and earnings from his various ventures since stepping back from royal duties.
What was Kate Middleton’s inheritance from Princess Diana?
Image Credit: Getty Images. While Kate Middleton never had the chance to meet her mother-in-law, she has become the new custodian of many of Diana’s most treasured possessions—particularly, her jewelry collection. As a beneficiary of her late mother-in-law’s discretionary fund, Kate also has access to financial resources that honor Diana’s legacy.
As mentioned earlier, Kate’s engagement ring, once belonging to Diana, is perhaps the most famous piece she inherited. But that’s not the only piece of Diana’s jewelry that Kate has worn. She’s often seen sporting Diana’s sapphire and diamond earrings, which perfectly complement her engagement ring. Kate has also been spotted wearing Diana’s three-strand pearl bracelet and her Collingwood pearl earrings, often choosing these pieces for big royal events.
Another one of the most striking pieces Kate has inherited is the Cambridge Lover’s Knot tiara, a favorite of Diana’s. This stunning piece, with its dangling pearls and diamond knots, has become one of Kate’s go-to tiaras for state banquets and other formal occasions. By wearing these pieces, Kate not only continues to honor Diana’s memory but also her legacy as a royal fashion icon.
As of 2024, Kate Middleton’s personal net worth is estimated to be around $10 million, though this figure doesn’t include assets she shares with Prince William or future inheritances.
What was Meghan Markle’s inheritance from Princess Diana?
Image Credit: Getty Images. Like her sister-in-law, Meghan Markle has also become a keeper of Princess Diana’s memory through inherited jewelry and her status as a beneficiary of the discretionary fund. Her engagement ring, designed by Prince Harry, incorporates two diamonds from Diana’s personal collection.
On her wedding day, Meghan wore Diana’s aquamarine cocktail ring to her evening reception. This striking piece, with its large, pale blue stone, was one of Diana’s favorite pieces in her later years. Meghan has also been seen wearing a pair of butterfly earrings and a gold bracelet that once belonged to Diana. These smaller, more delicate pieces reflect Meghan’s own understated style while still paying homage to her husband’s late mother.
While Meghan’s role within the royal family has changed considerably since she and Harry stepped back from their official duties, these inherited pieces serve as a lasting connection to Diana’s legacy and the royal family’s history.
As of 2024, Meghan Markle’s net worth is estimated to be around $60 million, combined with Prince Harry’s assets.
What was Paul Burrell’s inheritance from Princess Diana?
Image Credit: Getty Images. Paul Burrell, who served as Diana’s butler and trusted confidant for many years, also received a portion of her estate. In her will, Diana left Burrell £50,000, equivalent to approximately $80,000 at the time—a major sum that clearly reflected the close relationship they shared.
Burrell’s inheritance wasn’t just financial, though. As someone who had worked closely with Diana for years, he inherited a wealth of memories and insights into her life. In the years following her death, Burrell has written several books about his time with the princess—including titles such as In the Royal Manner: Butler to Diana, A Royal Duty, and The Way We Were: Remembering Diana—sharing stories and anecdotes that have helped keep Diana’s memory alive for her many admirers.
However, Burrell’s decision to publish these intimate details has been controversial at times, with some viewing it as a betrayal of Diana’s trust. Despite this, Burrell has always maintained that his goal is to protect and honor Diana’s legacy, ensuring that she is remembered for her warmth, compassion, and humanitarian efforts.
As of 2024, Paul Burrell’s net worth is estimated to be between $500,000 to $1 million, based on differing reports. This sum was amassed largely from his books and media appearances related to his time with the late Princess of Wales.
What did Princess Diana’s godchildren inherit from her?
Image Credit: Getty Images. In Diana’s “Letter of Wishes,” a document written as an addition to her formal will, the late Princess of Wales requested that 25 percent of her personal effects, known as “chattels” in the UK, be distributed between her 17 godchildren. Some of Diana’s godchildren include Clementine Hambro, great-granddaughter of Winston Churchill; Jack Huston, nephew of Lady Sarah Chatto; India Hicks, daughter of Lady Pamela Mountbatten; and Alexandra Knatchbull, daughter of Norton Knatchbull, 8th Baron Brabourne.
However, a variation to the will known as “The Arrangement” ultimately affected the distribution of Diana’s assets. Instead of receiving the quarter share of Diana’s personal belongings, each of Diana’s 17 godchildren received a single memento of comparatively modest value.
While the exact items each godchild received aren’t public knowledge, the change to their inheritance was a major departure from Diana’s final wishes.
What was Charles Spencer’s inheritance from Princess Diana?
Image Credit: Getty Images. While not a direct inheritance from Diana’s estate, it’s worth mentioning the role of Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer, in preserving her memory. Charles, also known as Earl Spencer, is the custodian of Althorp Estate, the Spencer family’s ancestral home where Diana spent much of her childhood.
Following Diana’s death, Charles made the decision to have his sister laid to rest on a small island in the middle of a lake on the Althorp grounds. This private burial site, while not open to the public, has gone on to become a place of pilgrimage for many of Diana’s admirers. Charles has also worked to keep Diana’s memory alive through various exhibitions at Althorp. These have included displays of her famous wedding dress (pictured above), childhood photographs, and other personal items, allowing visitors to gain a deeper understanding of Diana’s life and legacy.
Charles Spencer’s son, Louis Spencer, Viscount Althorp, is set to inherit Althorp Estate in the future. For now, however, Charles remains the guardian of this important piece of Diana’s history.
