Though they’ve only been married for a year and a half — things haven’t exactly been blissful for Duchess Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. After a whirlwind romance, the couple has struggled to find their footing in the spotlight. Markle, in particular, hasn’t been able to find her groove as a new member of the British Royal Family. She has her own ideas and thoughts about how she wants to approach royal life.

Unfortunately, the British public and press haven’t made it any easier for the Duchess of Sussex to settle into her new role. She has continuously been bullied and harassed with sexist and racist remarks. In a revealing ITV documentary, Harry and Meghan: An African Journey –Markle explained she knew the press would be challenging; she just assumed that it would be fair. Things have gotten so bad that Prince Harry is currently suing several publications for harassing his wife. 

Now, following a royal tour in Africa and several royal events –the duke and duchess are taking some much needed time off with their infant son, Archie Harrison, to regroup and get some things in order. It turns out that their marriage has been a financial nightmare.

Meghan Markle is still an American citizen

When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle got engaged in November 2017 — many people assumed the former actress would become a U.K. citizen as soon as possible. Prince Harry’s communications secretary, Jason Knauf said at the time, “[Meghan] will be compliant with immigration requirements at all times. I can also say she intends to become a U.K. citizen and will go through the process of that, which some of you may know takes a number of years.” However, that hasn’t happened, and it’s causing quite a few financial hiccups.

Meghan Markle is still required to pay U.S. taxes

Since Markle is still an American citizen, she is required to pay taxes to the U.S. government for any income earned or allowances she receives. This is quite dicey because the U.S. Department of Revenue can also request taxes from Prince Harry’s income as well.

Prince Harry already pays the U.K. taxes on the £10million and £7milllion inheritances he received from his late mother, Princess Diana, and the Queen Mother, respectively. However, he could be required to give the U.S. a chunk as well. Likewise, the yearly allowances he receives from Queen Elizabeth II and his father, Prince Charles, are likely to be taxed. Now that the duke and duchess have baby Archie, any income the baby receives could be taxed by the States too. To navigate this disaster — Markle and Prince Harry have hired U.S. tax experts.

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This morning, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor was christened in the Private Chapel at Windsor Castle at an intimate service officiated by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are so happy to share the joy of this day with members of the public who have been incredibly supportive since the birth of their son. They thank you for your kindness in welcoming their first born and celebrating this special moment. Their Royal Highnesses feel fortunate to have enjoyed this day with family and the godparents of Archie. Their son, Archie, was baptised wearing the handmade replica of the royal christening gown which has been worn by royal infants for the last 11 years. The original Royal Christening Robe, made of fine Honiton lace lined with white satin, was commissioned by Queen Victoria in 1841 and first worn by her eldest daughter. It was subsequently worn for generations of Royal christenings, including The Queen, her children and her grandchildren until 2004, when The Queen commissioned this handmade replica, in order for the fragile historic outfit to be preserved, and for the tradition to continue. Photo credit: Chris Allerton ©️SussexRoyal

A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal) on Jul 6, 2019 at 8:14am PDT

The real reason Meghan Markle hasn’t become a U.K. citizen

To avoid paying taxes in the United States, Markle would have to become a U.K. citizen and renounce her U.S. citizenship. However, because he was born in wedlock abroad to an American citizen –Archie Harrison could be required to pay U.S. taxes until age 18.

Despite all of this financial dama, Markle doesn’t appear to be in a hurry to throw away her U.S. citizenship. After all — royal insiders are buzzing that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are considering the United States as their “second base.” An insider told The Sun, “There’s an acceptance that things haven’t worked out with the Sussexes full-time in Windsor so they could have a second base in America.”

Even if the couple does move stateside for a period of time, Prince Harry might run into the same tax issues that his wife is dealing with now.