Here's How Much Harry And Meghan Will Make From Speaking Engagements

When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped back from their official duties as senior royals, in addition to wondering why they had made such a drastic decision, people were also curious about what was next for the pair. Well, for this couple, establishing their new life has included moving to Canada before settling in Los Angeles and finding new jobs.

Among the many opportunities that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have surely explored, Meghan has teamed up with Disney and might also be revisiting a gig from her past that will thrill her longtime fans. Beyond that, the two are focusing on their Archewell organization, which will help them carry on their charitable work and humanitarian activism.

The latter focus may also be supported by Harry and Meghan's speaking engagements, which will not only allow the couple to highlight certain issues that are important to them, but each speech is also expected to bring in a lot of money for the popular and engaging figures.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are old pros when it comes to speaking engagements. While delivering speeches was a part of Harry's former royal duties, Meghan was stepping up to talk about important issues even before she became a Duchess.

Case in point: Meghan's appearance at the 2015 U.N. Women's conference. Meghan spoke about gender equality and recalled how, as a child, she had prompted manufacturer Procter & Gamble to alter their dish detergent tagline. "They changed it from 'Women all over America are fighting greasy pots and pans' to 'People all over America,'" Meghan explained. She also noted that it was at that point that she "realized the magnitude of [her] actions" and that she could make an "impact" if she stood up for what she believed in.

She likely felt the same kind of motivation when she delivered a speech regarding the Black Lives Matter movement in June 2020, which was followed by Harry's own #BLM speech the next month at the Annual Diana Awards. Beyond that, Harry promised to teach his son, Archie, the "value of community" during a speech in October 2019, according to Town & Country, and has been known to publicly deliver heartfelt messages about the Invictus Games.

If these are the kind of moving speeches that Harry and Meghan are planning on giving in the future, then they'll likely be making a big difference in the world while also making a fortune.

If you have a knack for getting up in front of others and delivering motivational, inspirational, or entertaining messages, then you might be able to make a lucrative living as a professional speaker. "Newbie speakers might earn $500 [to] $2,500 for a talk," according to the Harvard Business Review, and those who have a few more speeches under their belt "or those just establishing a brand" can bring in $5,000 to $10,000 per engagement. While the rate goes up to $10,000 to $20,000 for someone who has the kind of "social proof" that can guarantee interest, those who "are very well-known in their field" can ask for as much as $20,000 to $35,000 for every speech that they do.

Granted, while that might be impressive, it's still not as much as some famous figures can command. Virgin founder Richard Branson makes $100,000 per speech, according to the aptly titled Love Money, which is the same amount that longtime Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour can demand whenever she speaks at a professional engagement. Dallas Buyers Club actor Matthew McConaughey will take the microphone for $166,000, which is quite a bit less than the $250,000 that the Terminator and former governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger is apparently paid.

However, none of those amounts come close to what Harry and Meghan will reportedly be making for each and every speech.

If Prince Harry and Meghan Markle plan to deliver a speech every once in a while, then they'll be bringing in a considerable amount of money. If they decide to regularly take on speaking engagements, then they'll be making a freakin' fortune. And by the looks of it, they certainly have a lot to talk about. 

A source told Town & Country that the dedicated duo will be taking on opportunities to publicly discuss "topics that are important in their lives — and in the world," and that will relate to the "mission of Archewell," such as "racial justice and gender equity, mental health, issues impacting women and girls and the environment — as well as the intersectional nature of these issues."

In order to spread their message — and make money while doing so — in June 2020, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex hired a "top speaking agency" to arrange their appearances, according to Page Six. The pair will be working with the Harry Walker Agency, which also represents A-list figures such as Barack and Michelle Obama, Hillary and Bill Clinton, and Oprah Winfrey. Thanks to the fact that they represent such big names, the agency "specializes in commanding $1 million fees for their in-demand clients." 

Yes, Harry and Meghan could be making $1 million for every speaking engagement! Philanthropic work can certainly be profitable.