Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, found herself in the midst of a royal controversy surrounding a pair of earrings she wore on two separate public occasions in 2018.
The earrings, a gift from the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, were first spotted adorning Meghan’s ears during a state dinner in Fiji hosted by President Giochi Konrot on October 23, 2018.
This event took place during a tour of Oceania that Meghan embarked on with her husband, Prince Harry, shortly after their wedding at George’s Chapel in Windsor.
The diamond chandelier earrings, paired with minimal accessories, caught the attention of royal watchers and sparked curiosity as to their origins.
It was later revealed that the jewels were a wedding present from Prince Mohamed, adding a controversial twist to Meghan’s fashion choice.
The timing of Meghan wearing the earrings coincided with the tragic killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi on October 2, 2018, implicating Crown Prince Mohamed in the heinous act.
In his book “Courtiers, The Hidden Power Behind the Crown,” royal correspondent Valentine Lowe shed light on the behind-the-scenes drama surrounding Meghan’s choice of jewelry.
According to Lowe, staff responsible for recording royal gifts recognized the earrings and raised concerns within Kensington Palace upon seeing Meghan wear them in Fiji.
Despite this, palace aides opted not to address the issue directly with the royals, fearing potential repercussions.
An intriguing revelation came to light when an aide approached Prince Harry about the earrings after Meghan wore them a second time.
Harry reportedly appeared shocked that the earrings’ provenance had been uncovered.
However, lawyers representing the Duke and Duchess denied any questioning of Harry regarding the earrings’ origins, emphasizing Meghan’s lack of awareness regarding Sheikh Mohammed’s alleged involvement in Khashoggi’s murder.
Furthermore, Meghan’s legal team refuted claims that she had misrepresented the earrings as borrowed from a jeweler.
Instead, they clarified that such gifts from heads of state are technically bestowed upon Queen Elizabeth II, who may choose to lend them to members of the royal family.
This clarification aimed to dispel any misconceptions surrounding Meghan’s handling of the controversial earrings.
Meghan Markle’s journey into the royal family began with her marriage to Prince Harry in May 2018, leading to a whirlwind of public scrutiny and media attention.
Eventually, the couple decided to step back from their roles as full-time working royals in early 2020, relocating to California with their children, Archie Harrison and Lilibet Lily Diana.
Despite this transition, Meghan and Harry remain active in charitable endeavors while forging independent paths through lucrative partnerships with major entertainment platforms.
As the saga surrounding Meghan’s earrings continues to unfold, it raises questions about the intricacies of royal protocol and the complexities of navigating global relationships within the monarchy.
The controversy serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between personal choices and public perception in the realm of royalty.
Stay tuned for more updates on this captivating royal affair.
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