Harry, Meghan Just Redid Their Home. Taxpayers Got a Big Bill

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are all settled into their newly refurbished home, but British taxpayers may not be thrilled about the tab they footed for the work: $3 million, per Reuters. "The property had not been subject of work for some years and had already been earmarked for renovation," says Michael Stevens, the "Keeper of the Privy Purse" (i.e., the royal treasurer). "Outdated infrastructure was replaced to guarantee the long-term future of the property."

What this means is that the home had been previously turned into five separate residences, so it had to be converted back for the couple and their new baby, Archie, per the BBC. The work included six months' worth of electrical and heating work, gas and water pipe revamps, and replacing ceiling beams and floor joists, among other chores. Reuters reports that Harry and Meghan did pay for the "fittings and furnishings" themselves. But anti-royalists are predictably unpleased. Says one: "If even one school or hospital is facing cuts we cannot justify spending a penny on the royals. Yet with all public services under intense financial pressure we throw ($3 million) at a new house for Harry." (More Prince Harry stories.)