Meghan Markle Accused of Stealing Controversial Diamond Earrings

Controversy has arisen after claims that Meghan Markle hired someone to steal a pair of rare diamond earrings from Kate Middleton.

The earrings were given to Meghan as a wedding present by the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman.

Royal correspondent Valentine Lowe reported on the claims in his new book, Courtiers: The Hidden Power Behind the Crown.

The Duchess of Sussex first wore the chandelier diamond earrings during her tour of Oceania with Prince Harry in October 2018.

She then wore them again a few weeks later to the birthday party of the Prince of Wales.

At the time, it was reported that the earrings had been borrowed, but Kensington Palace did not disclose who had given them to Meghan.

It later emerged that the jewels were a wedding present from Prince Mohammed.

However, controversy arose due to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi on October 2, 2018, just a few days before the beginning of the Sussex's first joint royal tour.

The Saudi dissident was murdered in the consulate in Istanbul of Saudi Arabia, and Crown Prince Mohammed had been accused of ordering his killing.

In an edited extract from Lowe's book, it was revealed that staff responsible for registering details of all royal gifts recognized the earrings and alerted Kensington Palace after noticing Meghan had worn them in Fiji.

However, the aides decided not to confront the royals on the issue out of fear for their reaction.

An aide later discussed the provenance of the earrings with Prince Harry after they noticed Meghan had worn them a second time.

Lowe claimed in the extract published by The Times that Harry was shocked that people knew where the earrings came from.

The lawyers of the Duke and Duchess deny he was ever questioned about their provenance.

Meghan's lawyers also contested claims that emerged last year that she had told her staff the earrings had been borrowed from a jeweler.

The firm added that the earrings were presents from heads of state to the royal family and are gifts to Her Majesty the Queen, who can then choose to lend them out to members of the family.

Meghan joined the royal family on May 19, 2018, upon marrying Prince Harry.

The pair stepped down as full-time working members of the firm in the spring of 2020 and now live in California with their children.

They continue their charitable work but have also become financially independent from British taxpayers and the Duchy of Cornwall by striking profitable deals with streaming giants Netflix and Spotify.

In other news, Prince William is reportedly still furious over the way he and Kate Middleton were treated and awaiting an apology from Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.

The Hollywood Gossip, quoting The Telegraph, reported that William and Kate are unable to move on until Harry and Meghan at least acknowledge the hurt they have caused, let alone apologize for it.

Although the past week represented a chance for reconciliation among the “fab four,” a lasting peace remains elusive.