Meghan Markle’s Controversial Earrings: The Hidden Story Behind the Jewels

Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, caused quite a stir when she was spotted wearing a pair of diamond earrings on two separate occasions in 2018.

These earrings were a wedding gift from the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, and their origin sparked curiosity among royal watchers.

The first time Meghan wore the chandelier diamond earrings was during her whirlwind tour of Oceania with Prince Harry in October 2018.

This was just a few months after their wedding at St George's Chapel in Windsor.

The Duchess paired the stunning earrings with a thin bracelet and her wedding and engagement rings during a state dinner in Fiji hosted by President Juji Konro.

A few weeks later, Meghan donned the same earrings again as she attended the birthday party of the Prince of Wales.

This raised eyebrows as it was initially reported that the earrings were borrowed, but Kensington Palace did not disclose who had given them to the Duchess.

It was later revealed that they were a wedding present from Prince Mohammed.

However, the controversy surrounding these earrings deepened in light of the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi on October 2, 2018, just days before the start of the Sussexes' royal tour.

Khashoggi, a Saudi dissident, was murdered in the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul, and Crown Prince Mohammed was accused of ordering his killing.

In an edited extract from his upcoming book, “Courtiers: The Hidden Power Behind the Crown,” royal correspondent Valentine Lowe claimed that Kensington Palace staff recognized the earrings and alerted the palace after seeing Meghan wear them in Fiji.

However, out of fear for the royals' reaction, the aides chose not to confront them about it.

It was only after Meghan wore the earrings for the second time that an aide decided to discuss their provenance with Prince Harry.

According to Mr. Lowe's extract published in The Times, Harry was shocked that people knew where the earrings came from.

The lawyers representing the Duke and Duchess deny that Harry was ever questioned about the earrings' origin.

Meghan and Harry's legal team also denied claims that Meghan had told her staff that the earrings were borrowed from a jeweler.

The firm argued that gifts from heads of state to the royal family are actually gifts to the Queen, who can then choose to lend them out to other family members.

In a separate matter, it was revealed that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were disappointed with their living situation within the royal family.

Despite their desire to reside in living quarters at Windsor Castle, they were instead given Frogmore Cottage by Queen Elizabeth II.

Before moving into Frogmore Cottage in May 2019, the couple carried out significant renovations on the property.

These included replacing ceiling beams, rewiring electrical systems, adding soundproofing, and transforming the 10 bedrooms into five.

Despite any reported dissatisfaction, Harry and Meghan still consider Frogmore Cottage their home, at least when they visit Britain.

It remains to be seen what other surprises may emerge as the couple continues to navigate their new life outside the royal spotlight.