Harry set to inherit £10m from Diana as 30 beckons

Britain’s Prince Harry will celebrate his 30th birthday today — an important moment for Queen Elizabeth’s grandson, who has come of age.

The big day is likely to be marked by a party with family and close friends, and comes after a busy summer for the fourth in line to the throne.

Harry’s birthday falls the day after the finale of his Invictus Games — a Paralympic-style championship for wounded servicemen and women from across the globe.

Turning 30 will also mean the fourth in line to the throne will be entitled to a multi-million pound inheritance left to him by his mother Diana, Princess of Wales.

Like his brother, the Duke of Cambridge, Harry was left £6.5m (€8.15m) in Diana’s will following her death in a car crash in 1997, but this is likely to have grown substantially since her death 17 years ago.

Danny Cox, head of financial planning at Hargreaves Lansdown, predicted that the prince’s inheritance could have as much as doubled to £13m now depending on how the money was invested.

Although inheritance tax was paid at the time of the princess’s death, Harry is likely to have to pay some additional inheritance tax and, at some stage, pay capital gains tax on the gains on the investments, which together could total as much as £2.3m, leaving the Prince with around £10.7m.

Mr Cox suggested: “If invested, this could produce an income of around £320,000 a year for life before tax, £230,000 after tax.”

Diana had an estate of £21m but more than £8m was paid in inheritance tax, leaving £12,966,022. It was split equally between William and his younger brother Harry.

Changes agreed to the will in December 1997 meant that, upon reaching 25, William and Harry were entitled to the whole of the income of their share. Before the age of 25, income could be paid at the trustees’ discretion.

The trustees could pay over capital at any time, but 30 was set as the age when the princes could ask for their share of the capital in full.

When he turns 30 today, Harry will be able to take control of his share of the capital sum, as William did in 2012. Harry currently earns between £38,847 and £46,198 a year as a captain in the Army.

Princess Diana’s estate was made up of stocks and shares, jewellery, her multimillion-pound divorce settlement, dresses, including her wedding gown and personal items.

William and Harry will also receive her tiaras, other priceless jewels, family paintings, letters and home movies.