Does Queen Elizabeth shun Meghan Markle when it comes to lending the royal jewels?
One of the many perks Meghan Markle stands to lose as the Sussexes exit the British royal family will be her access to the royal jewels. But as we take a look at some of her past jewellery choices, we wonder, was she ever given access to the queen’s assortment of fine gems?
The Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton is constantly flaunting jewels on loan from the queen; revisiting some of Meghan's looks, we discover the royal wedding was the only time she was spotted wearing something on loan from her grandmother-in-law.
Instead, Meghan prefers jewellery once owned by her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana. Could skewed access to gems be one of the many contributing side notes to the rift between the Cambridges and the Sussexes?
As we take a look at the duchess’ style choices, we see it’s not so much access, but rather, a matter of taste and personal preference that has led Meghan to stay away from the more stately royal jewels.
In the close to two years since she has joined the royal family, her wedding day remains the only occasion she was seen wearing a piece from the queen’s collection. She paired her bridal look with the Queen Mary Diamond Bandeau tiara; it was the first time in well over six decades the public had seen the diamond headpiece.
Instead, the independently wealthy Markle favours jewels from her personal collection and those from the estate of Princess Diana.
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She wore an aquamarine cocktail ring by Garrard from Diana’s collection when she drove off with Prince Harry after their wedding celebration.
On the day to day, Meghan’s approach to accessorising is more relaxed. The former actress prefers dainty designs and demi-fine jewellery. A recent addition to her collection is this small “A” pendant necklace that she started wearing after the birth of the couple’s first child, Archie.
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Markle has been given access to several pieces from the Princesses Diana’s collection, many of which resonates more closely to Markle’s style than the queen’s jewels.
Princess Diana was often seen wearing this pair of butterfly earrings, which the duchess now loves.
This gold bangle with two accent stones, too, was a much loved piece of Diana’s that Markle now wears regularly.
But we have to remember, Markle was wealthy before she met Harry and likely had a substantial jewellery collection before she married into the royal family.
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The Sussexes’ decision to split their time between Canada and the UK shocked the world, yet it’s not that surprising they chose to settle in the commonwealth; Meghan’s connection to Canada dates back to 2011, where she lived and worked on set in Toronto for seven years filming the television series Suits.
Her time there shaped her jewellery choices, too. It’s likely during this time that Markle discovered and fell in love with designs from Canadian jeweller Birks.
Birks’ clean, classic jewellery are go-to accessories for Markle; the Snowflake Snowstorm diamond earrings is a favourite that she has repeatedly worn. The duchess’ mother, too, loves the brand and attended her wedding wearing a pair of pearl and diamond earrings from Birks.
As the royal family continues to work towards a solution for the Sussexes’ exodus, it’s still unclear which perks they’ll get to keep. But if Markle’s style choices are any indication, it looks as though she might not care at all if she never gets to flaunt another piece of royal jewel.
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Kate Middleton is constantly flaunting jewels loaned by the queen, but was Prince Harry’s wife ever given access to the royal fine gems?