A woman set up a GoFundMe page asking strangers to donate cash to pay off the £6.8 million mortgage on Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's California mansion.
Anastasia Hanson, 56, insisted her online crowdfunding campaign, titled ‘Harry and Meghan $5 Donation to Buy Home (£3.61)’, was not a joke, claiming she wanted to help the Sussexes, who are worth millions, through a "very rough time".
She was hoping to raise a staggering $10 million (£7.1 million) from strangers, but her fundraising page was removed after collecting only about £80.
Anastasia launched the campaign after Harry told Oprah Winfrey he had been "cut off financially" by his family after Megxit and he and Meghan were helped by his inheritance from his mum Princess Diana.
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It is said the couple's combined personal wealth could be close to £100 million after the value of their Los Angeles-area mansion, which has nine bedrooms and 16 bathrooms, nearly tripled within months.
Anastasia launched the GoFundMe two days after Meghan and Harry's bombshell interview with Oprah, and had collected just £78.64, as of Friday, before the campaign disappeared.
On Saturday, visitors to the page were greeted by an error message reading "Campaign Not Found".
Anastasia thought the Sussexes needed financial help despite them having multimillion-pound deals with Netflix and Spotify and other sources of wealth, including Harry's inheritances from his mum Princess Diana and great-grandmother the Queen Mother.
Anastasia, who lives in Ventura, a 25-minute drive from the duke and duchess' home in the billionaire and celebrity enclave of Montecito, told the Sun: “I like to help people and help them in any way I can.
“That gives me happiness. If you needed a home, I’d do the same for you. It’s a good deed.”
She said she was aware of the Sussexes' deals with streaming giants Netflix and Spotify.
Before it disappeared, the page stated: “I am raising funds to pay off the mortgage for the Montecito, California home of Harry and Meghan.
“When they came to the USA they were without jobs and with limited funds.
“They've stated that they've had a very rough time, so this fundraiser is a way to give help, compassion, and love by paying their home loan in full.
“I personally relate to mental health, racial equality, diversity, and inclusivity.
“They both support these issues as well. Together, they can help bring healing and restoration to the whole world.”
Harry and Meghan, who is pregnant with a girl, purchased their nine-bedroom, 16-bathroom mansion in Montecito for a reported $14.65 million (£10.5 million) last June after staying at film mogul Tyler Perry's estate.
They took out a $9.5 million (£6.8 million) mortgage, according to the deeds, which list the owner as a trust that shares a postal address with Meghan's Hollywood business manager, according to the Times.
Estate agent Randy Solakian, who represented the builder when the property was sold to a Russian oligarch, said the couple bought at the right time and got a "bargain".
He told the Times that the property market is now booming and the Sussex family mansion might be worth almost three times what they paid.
Mr Solakian added: "It would have been really ugly if they'd paid $40 million (£28.7 million) for it, which is what it's probably worth, but I would say they got a bargain."
Harry and Meghan quit life as senior royals a year ago, and it was confirmed last month they would not return as working members of the family.
They moved to the Los Angeles area after they stepped back from their roles so they could be "financially independent".
The Sussexes gave Oprah a tour of the mansion during the two-hour tell-all, which was watched by 28 million people in the UK and US alone.
Set on a private street with security guards, it boasts everything from a cinema, spa and gym to a separate guesthouse, tennis court and swimming pool.
The couple also have coops for rescued hens, with a sign reading "Archie's Chick Inn".
The enclave of Montecito, in Santa Barbara County, is sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean and Santa Ynez Mountains, about 100 miles from downtown LA.
It is home to billionaires such as Oprah and stars including Katy Perry, Orlando Bloom and Ariana Grande.
But locals say Meghan and Harry are rarely seen out and about.
During their interview with Oprah, the Sussexes accused Harry's family of failing to provide enough support and failing to understand their reasons for quitting their roles as senior royals.
Harry told Oprah that the couple had to strike lucrative deals with streaming giants Netflix and Spotify because his family "literally cut me off financially" after Megxit and do not pay for security for him, Meghan and Archie, who turns two in May.
He said he had to pay for security for him, Meghan and son Archie, adding: “But I've got what my mum left me, and, without that, we would not have been able to do this.”
He added: "All I wanted was enough money to get security and keep my family safe."
