Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are receiving financial backing from British hedge fund billionaire Ian Wace to support their recent move back to the United Kingdom. Two sources confirmed Wace, who holds an estimated net worth of $1.2 billion, is assisting the couple with the logistical and financial transition as they return to their home country six years after leaving royal duties.
The Ties Between the Prince and the Financier
Ian Wace is the founding partner of Marshall Wace LLP, a major global hedge fund firm established in 1997. Beyond his status in finance, Wace shares a personal and emotional history with the Duke of Sussex. Sources indicate the relationship grew close over several years, strengthened by mutual life experiences involving sudden and tragic loss. In 1994, Wace lost his first wife, Joanna, and their two young children, Guy and Alicia, in a car crash in Hampshire. Prince Harry famously lost his mother, Princess Diana, in a fatal car accident in 1997. This shared history of grief is said to have formed a connection between the two men.
The relationship extends to family interactions as well. In July 2026, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, to visit Wace’s private Scottish island, Tanera Mòr. Harry first visited the 800-acre property in 2017 shortly after Wace purchased the island for $2.3 million. Since the acquisition, Wace has invested approximately $135 million into the land, conducting extensive restoration work that included planting trees, road construction, and infrastructure improvements. Following the recent family visit, Meghan Markle posted an image of the Scottish Highlands to her social media account.
Social Circles and Ongoing Support
Meghan Markle maintains a strong friendship with Wace’s ex-wife, former model Saffron Aldridge. The couple divorced in 2023 but remains on good terms. Aldridge has played a role in helping the Duchess of Sussex navigate the expectations of British aristocracy, reportedly offering fashion and social guidance since Meghan married into the royal family. Their social circle is wide; Aldridge is the half-sister of Victoria’s Secret model Lily Aldridge and her father-in-law is linked to the spokespeople for Prince and Princess Michael of Kent.
Saffron Aldridge has a history with the royal family that predates this recent move. In 2011, she attended an event alongside Prince William and Kate Middleton, marking their first public outing as a married couple. Aldridge focuses much of her time on children's charities, a pursuit that aligns with the philanthropic interests of both Harry and Meghan. The network surrounding these figures remains tight-knit and active within British high society.
Moving Forward in the United Kingdom
The move back to the UK, which occurred in late August 2026, follows six years of the family living in California. While the couple infamously departed from their official royal duties in 2020, their return is framed around personal family ties rather than a return to public service. Sources close to the royal household confirmed that King Charles III was informed of the move just days before it happened. Despite the distance and the nature of their departure, the 77-year-old monarch reportedly expressed interest in spending more time with his grandchildren.
Looking ahead, the family is currently house-hunting in the Cotswolds region, which is located conveniently near Highgrove House, the residence of King Charles and Queen Camilla. The Sussexes have clarified they will not return to official royal duties. Instead, they plan to maintain their existing business interests while settling into a non-royal residence. The family arrived via a private flight into Birmingham on August 26, marking the start of a new chapter for the couple and their children. Observers expect to see them establish a quieter, private life while they integrate back into British society.