Controversy Surrounding Meghan Markle’s Alleged Acceptance of £1,990 Earrings

Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has recently been embroiled in a controversy regarding a pair of earrings gifted to her by the female-founded jewellery company Kimai.

The accusations suggest that Meghan accepted earrings worth £1,990 during her time as a working member of the British royal family.

Kimai, a jewellery company that recently appeared on Dragon's Den, proudly claimed that Meghan wore their pieces, specifically the Felicity earrings, which are individually sold for £995.

These earrings are adorned with 26 lab-grown diamonds totaling 0.24 carats, elegantly hugging the ear's curve with three dangling diamonds that sway gracefully with movement.

Described as Meghan Markle's favorite, the Felicity earrings are renowned for turning heads, as stated on the company's website.

During a visit to the Charity Smartworks headquarters in London in 2019, Meghan was seen sporting the Kimai earrings, sparking further attention to the controversy.

The founders of Kimai, Sidney Nahan and Jessica Weiss, sought a £250,000 investment on Dragon's Den in exchange for a 3% equity stake in their business.

They boasted about Meghan wearing their designs and revealed that she had agreed to the collaboration under the condition of receiving complimentary items.

Their strategic aim was to align the company with Meghan Markle's royal status, leveraging her influence to boost their brand's visibility.

The reception of the earrings by Meghan ignited a wave of criticism, with some labeling the jewelry as unattractive and raising concerns about the utilization of funds associated with the monarchy.

While residing in the UK, Meghan reportedly accepted various freebies from brands, integrating both established and emerging British designers into her official engagements wardrobe.

Prince Harry disclosed that his wife graciously accepted gifts delivered to Kensington Palace, emphasizing in his memoir Spare that Meghan generously shared the designer apparel, cosmetics, and perfumes with the palace staff.

Contrary to popular belief, Meghan's inclination towards receiving complimentary items did not commence upon joining the royal family.

According to a royal author and confidante of Princess Diana, Tina Brown, Meghan had long been recognized among luxury marketers for her interest in acquiring high-end designer goods at no cost.

Brown's revelations, documented in her book “The Palace Papers: Inside the House of Windsor, The Truth, and the Turmoil,” shed light on Meghan's adeptness at leveraging her former lifestyle blog, The Tig, to procure luxury products through collaborations.

The acceptance of gifts while part of the royal family proved to be a contentious issue for Meghan, leading to the dismissal of an assistant who allegedly exploited her association with Meghan to secure freebies.

Prince Harry hinted at a strained relationship between Meghan and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, attributing it to Princess Diana's belief that she could assist Meghan with her fashion connections.

Despite the royal protocol permitting the acceptance of gifts, senior royals like Prince William and Princess Catherine typically return gifts to avoid potential backlash over perceived favoritism or impropriety.