Fancy a ‘famous’ bathroom? You’ll need to be flush

Mike Donachie

If you were buying a home in one of the world’s most expensive cities, would you pay thousands of dollars to pee where Prince Harry once peed?

This is a real question being asked in the international media, and, at the time of writing, it is unclear what homebuyers think. It’s clear, however, the fascination with the British royal family continues and has somehow managed to make even Toronto’s overpriced housing even more overpriced.

Toronto has ludicrously high property prices but is otherwise a nice enough place. Prince Harry has been spending time there due to his relationship with the actress Meghan Markle, now his fiancée.

Not-quite-princess Meghan appeared in the TV show Suits, which was made in Toronto, so she lived there. Now the house she rented is for sale.

According to one estimate, the $1.4 million asking price – that’s more than £800,000 for a threebedroom house – has been enhanced by the royal connection. One expert suggested it could add £20,000 to the price, and made reference to it having a loo that Harry has used.

It is a source of discomfort for me that, despite leaving the UK to move to Canada, I regularly encounter people who like the royals. I don’t mind people liking things or admiring famous people but I’m not comfortable with the forelock-tugging inherent in this particular admiration.

I don’t agree that someone is interesting because they were born posh and rich. But suddenly, I’m watching the royals, too. All it took was a 36-year-old American of mixed ethnic heritage who has spent years as an advocate for the empowerment of women. I like Meghan. I like that we’re not sure what she might do to the royal family. I think she can teach them a few things about privilege, and the difference between price and value.