Meghan Markle’s wardrobes paid by her father-in-law

Meghan Markle’s wedding gown when she wed Prince Harry last month came with a hefty price tag, and someone had to pick it up. There is just one person from the “firm” who paid for the former American actress’ elegant dress and who keep on paying for her subsequent wardrobes.

According to royal expert Katie Nicholl, the Duchess of Sussex’s glamorous attires since her engagement to Harry added up to US$1 million (AU$1.36 million). Meghan has been keeping herself busy attending official functions with Harry or with Queen Elizabeth since her big day on May 19.

Meghan didn’t exactly enter the royal family penniless; she was said to be worth around US$5 million (AU$6.39 million) herself. However, now that she’s one of the family, a senior royal, not her husband, is reportedly picking up the tabs for her clothes.

“It does fall now, that she is married into the royal family, to the Prince of Wales … to cover the cost of her working royal wardrobe,” Nicholl told ET, referring to Prince Charles, Meghan’s father-in-law, Prince Charles.

Royals, unlike celebrities, do not accept designer garments for free. Many celebrities tend to be dressed by luxury designers because the exposure for their clothes benefit both the designers and the celebrities. But royals like Meghan and her sister-in-law Kate Middleton would have to pay for their clothes. They can accept certain gifts, but not wardrobe or accessories because it meant the designers are holding out for commercial gain when the royals wear their products. And this is against royal protocol.

That’s why someone — in this case, Charles — has to pay for Meghan’s clothes. And although the price tag for the things that she wears aren’t cheap, Nicholl said they were worth it.

“Meghan is now an ambassador for the royal family. Look at the publicity she has brought in run up to the wedding. I’d argue that’s worth every penny,” Nicholl added.

Meghan, who has been seen several times in cream and light shades, apparently doesn’t have an official stylist, which means she is probably picking her own looks. She hasn’t been seen in recycled dresses yet, but that’s probably because she has been with the family for just a little over a month. After some time, she might follow Kate’s footsteps and re-wear her clothes as well.

When the Royal family’s financial statement was made public last week, it was shown how much Charles had spent for the last fiscal year. The future king was the biggest spender of all the royals, and it was speculated that a bulk of his expenses included his son Harry’s engagement to Meghan.