Photos: GETTYMUST READRoyal Aides Leak Meghan Markle’s Controversial Diamond Earrings: What You Need to KnowSHARETWEET
Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has found herself at the center of controversy once again.
Royal aides have leaked information about a pair of diamond earrings that she was seen wearing on two separate occasions in 2018.
These earrings were given to her as a wedding present by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia.
The first time Meghan wore the chandelier diamond earrings was during a tour of Oceania with Prince Harry in October 2018, just months after their wedding.
She paired the earrings with a thin bracelet and her wedding and engagement rings during a state dinner in Fiji hosted by President Gigi Conroe.
Weeks later, she wore the same earrings to the birthday party of the Prince of Wales.
At the time, it was reported that the earrings had been borrowed, but Kensington Palace did not disclose who had given them to Meghan.
This sparked curiosity among royal watchers.
It later came to light that the earrings were a wedding gift from Prince Mohammed.
However, their use became controversial following the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which occurred just days before the start of the Sussex’s royal tour.
In an edited extract from his book, “Courtiers: The Hidden Power Behind the Crown,” royal correspondent Valentine Lowe revealed that staff responsible for registering royal gifts recognized the earrings and alerted Kensington Palace.
However, the aides chose not to confront the royals about the issue out of fear of their reaction.
It was only after Meghan wore the earrings a second time that an aide decided to discuss their origin with Prince Harry.
According to Lowe, Prince Harry was shocked that people knew where the earrings came from.
However, the Duke and Duchess’ lawyers deny that he was ever questioned about their provenance.
Meghan’s legal team also disputed claims that she had told her staff the earrings were borrowed from a jeweler.
They clarified that gifts from heads of state to the royal family are actually presents to Queen Elizabeth, who can choose to lend them out.
Meghan joined the royal family upon marrying Prince Harry in May 2018.
However, the couple stepped down as full-time working members in 2020 and now reside in California with their children.
They have become financially independent through lucrative deals with streaming giants Netflix and Spotify.
In other news, Prince William is reportedly still furious over the treatment he and his wife, Kate Middleton, received from Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.
The couple is said to be awaiting an apology for the hurt caused by the Sussexes.
The trust between them has been shattered, despite a brief moment of reconciliation following the death of Queen Elizabeth.
While lasting peace remains elusive, the focus remains on Meghan Markle’s controversial diamond earrings and the ongoing tensions within the royal family.
