King Charles gave Meghan Markle a bracelet worth £15,000 on the eve of her wedding. But the Duchess hasn’t worn it in over a year.
There’s no doubt that the Duchess of Sussex does own some expensive jewellery. But it is a piece of jewellery of particular symbolic value that is currently attracting the attention of some of the British press. Meghan Markle received a gift from King Charles III the day before her wedding. The gift in question? A bracelet designed especially for the Duchess by Bentley & Skinner, jewellers and goldsmiths appointed by the Queen and the Prince of Wales. The company began supplying jewellery to the Royal Family during the reign of Queen Victoria. One of the company’s creations was a diamond crown for Louisa Cavendish, the great-grandmother of Queen Elizabeth II.
The bracelet, symbolic of the actress’ entry into the royal family, may have cost nearly £15,000, according to the British newspaper Daily Express. It consists of ninety-two round brilliant diamonds, weighing a total of 2 carats, set in white gold. The jewel was often worn during her time with the royal family, including during Meghan and Harry’s first royal tour to Fiji.
The Duchess of Sussex also wore the jewel on Charles III’s birthday. But since April 2022, the jewel seems to have disappeared from the Duchess’ wrists. It was last seen worn on 17 April 2022, during the Invictus Games in The Hague.
Is the break-up with the royal family to blame?
Why bother with the jewellery the Duchess wears? After all, it’s just a simple bracelet, exceptional only in its price (not everyone is lucky enough to have in-laws who can afford £15,000 bracelets). This is because, like any accessory worn by a public figure, this bracelet sent a message.
Wearing it meant to the world that Meghan Markle was accepted by the royal family. However, given the conflict that rages between Meghan, Harry and the rest of the royal family, this symbol is no longer relevant. Especially since the release of the Netflix series Harry & Meghan, in which Harry’s wife explains how complicated her welcome into the royal family has been.
Photo credits: CNN/Backgrid UK/Bestimage
