Meghan Markle looked effortlessly elegant during her online appearance today. She wore one of her favourite looks, a shirt-and-jeans combo, and wore jewellery worth over $400,000.
The Duchess of Sussex, 40, who gave birth to her daughter Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor on June 4 this year, appeared on the YouTube account Brightly Storytime to read her children’s book The Bench.
Meghan wore a casual shirt and long sleeves, and added some sparkle to her outfit with a $23,000 Cartier Tank watch. This watch was once owned by Princess Diana. It was gifted to Meghan by her husband in the early days of their relationship.
She is also thought to have sported a $3,000 mini gold tennis bracelet designed by Jennifer Meyer and a pinky ring designed by celebrity jeweller Lorraine Schwartz and worth an estimated $62,000. Page Six previously claimed the mysterious piece was made with ‘gifted diamonds from the Middle East’.
Sitting on a comfy-looking chair in her garden at her $14.65million Montecito mansion she shares with Prince Harry and their two children Archie, two, and Lilibet, the duchess completed her look with a smattering of glamorous makeup.
Wanting to stick to her low-key vibe, the mother-of-two kept her locks tied back away from her face when reading from her £12.99 ($18.99) book, which is inspired by Prince Harry and her son Archie.
Meghan Markle (pictured) looked effortlessly chic during her latest appearance online today, donning one of her favoured looks of a shirt and jeans combo, as well as jewellery worth over $400,000
Meghan is thought to have sported a $3,000 mini gold tennis bracelet designed by Jennifer Meyer and a pinky ring (pictured) designed by celebrity jeweller Lorraine Schwartz and worth an estimated $62,000
A CUSTOM PIECE FROM THE MIDDLE EAST? PINKY RING ‘DESIGNED BY LORRAINE SCHWARTZ’
This evening, the Duchess, who is known for her love of symbolic jewellery, also showed off her new mysterious pinky ring (pictured left), which is believed to have been made with ‘gifted diamonds from the Middle East’
This evening, the Duchess, who is known for her love of symbolic jewellery, also showed off her new mysterious pinky ring, which is believed to have beenMade with ‘gifted gems from the Middle East’.
Interest in Meghan’s pinky band was greater than her appearance on the cover Time magazine’s last month. Many were intrigued at the growing mystery surrounding the ring that she wears on her right pinky finger.
Initially, Harry and Meghan denied claims that the ring, made by celebrity jeweller Lorraine Schwartz and reportedly worth an estimated £45,000 ($62,000), was fashioned with diamonds gifted to the couple by a mystery donor in the Middle East.
They claimed that the ring was purchased by a stylist who was on the shoot and was directly from the designer. There was no connection to a mysterious donor in the Middle East.
But in a spectacular U-turn, they later rolled back the denial, and clarified that they were referring only to a ring on Meghan’s left hand – a £380 ($525) pinky ring from Shiffon, which is meant to represent women’s empowerment.
There was no mention of the Lorraine Schwartz ring on Meghan’s right, so it is possible that Meghan was trying to conceal the origin of the diamond.
According to Page Six, Schwartz was also said to have used the same set diamonds to create earrings that the Duchess wore to Trooping the Colour 2019 and to a premiere of the Lion King one month later.
If the diamonds came from the Middle East it isn’t clear if Meghan received the gift when she was still a working queen or after she finished her last official duties in March 2021.
Although she didn’t visit the region in its entirety, it is possible that she made a private visit.
Buckingham Palace does not publish a list of royal gifts received while overseas. There is no public record that Meghan was given diamonds.
Gifts sent to the Royals other than for official engagements are not recorded, but are made public.
The palace previously directed inquires about the diamonds to the US representatives of the Sussexes, who were also approached for comment.
PRINCESS DIANA’S GOLD £17,800 CARTIER TANK WATCH
Meghan also wore a Cartier Tank Française watch, as pictured, gifted by Harry that once belonged to Princess Diana. The watch was worth $23,000 (£17,800) but this one has a special history
Diana originally owned Meghan’s elegant timepiece. She can be seen wearing it on her left arm at an engagement at British Lung Foundation 1997
The watch, thought to be a present from Harry, was worth £17,800 ($23,000) at the time but is now likely worth a lot more given its history, and is one of the pieces sported by Meghan today.
Diana wore this elegant timepiece at a number occasions, including a 1997 London visit to Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Hindu Temple.
Meghan is well-known for her love of the Tank watch. In 2015, she bought her own two tone version when ‘Suits’ was renewed for a third series.
Hello Magazine asked her about her desire to own a Cartier French Tank watch. When I found out Suits had been picked up for our third season—which, at the time, felt like such a milestone—I totally splurged and bought the two-tone version
‘I had it engraved in the back, “To M.M. From M.M. It is my goal to give it to my daughter someday. This is what makes pieces unique, the connection you feel with them.
Diana’s collection has been given to Meghan. These include Diana’s gold bracelet and butterfly earrings, which she wore during their 2018 Australian tour.
The watch is a favorite of hers and she has been seen wearing it often. Diana’s father gifted the watch to her on her 21st anniversary.
$6,900 GOLD CARTIER LOVE BANGL
Symbol
Meghan is known to favor more extravagant jewellery, while royals tend to be more minimalistic. Her latest appearance showed no difference in her choice of bling.
The Cartier watch was stacked alongside a $6,900 Cartier Love bracelet by the mother of two.
It’s a design she has worn numerous times in the past and is thought to have been a gift of Prince Harry in their early days together.
The oval Cartier Band is made from two C-shaped halves, which are screwed together. It is only possible to remove it using a screwdriver such as the 18-carat one that is supplied. This feature is believed to be inspired by medieval Chastity Belts.
Wallis Simpson and the Duke of Windsor each had earlier versions.
THE £271,000 ENGAGEMENT RING MEGHAN RE-DESIGNED AFTER HER PROPOSAL FROM PRINCE HARRY
Prince Harry proposed to Meghan in November 2017. He presented her with a sparkling ring consisting of a solid gold band and three diamonds.
Harry proposed to Meghan in November 2017 using a glittering yellow gold ring. However, in 2019, images revealed that Meghan’s design had been altered to include a thinner band and several pave diamonds all round it.
Next to her pinky ring, Meghan sported her £271,000 ($350,000) engagement ring, which was originally designed by Prince Harry and court jewellers Cleave and Company using one stone from Botswana and two smaller stones from Diana’s collection.
Harry proposed to Meghan in November 2017. Meghan received the glittering ring with a solid gold band. However, in 2019, images revealed that the design was altered to include a thinner band and several pave diamonds.
Shortly after their engagement, Prince Harry spoke about the design process behind his ring. He said that each element was chosen to fit his future bride’s taste perfectly.
“The ring is obviously made of yellow gold, because that’s what it’s made of.” [Meghan’s]My favourite and the main diamond itself I sourced from Botswana. The little diamonds on either side are from my mom’s jewellery collection to make sure she’s with me on this crazy journey together.
Meghan called it “incredible”, explaining that Harry’s thoughtfulness, and the inclusion of [Princess Diana’s stones]Despite not being able meet his mum, I feel it is so important to know that she is a part of this journey with us.
“It’s an incredible privilege to be able have this.” [ring]We are interested in the type of links you have between Botswana and your home country. It’s perfect.
$3,000 MINI TENNIS BRACELET FROM JENNIFER MEYER
Chic and simple: She also wore a $3,000-amount gold tennis bracelet by Jennifer Meyer. The designer describes the piece as a “true staple”.
Meghan also added a mini gold, $3,000 tennis bracelet by Jennifer Meyer (sister to actor Tobey Maguire).
The bracelet is described on the website by the jewellery designer as a “chic complement to everyday fashion” and a “true staple”.
Storytime with Meghan Duchess wears casual blue shirt and jeans as she reads The Bench, her children’s book, from her $14 million garden. This is her YouTube story channel for children.
Meghan Markle looked chic in blue jeans and a shirt as she appeared on a YouTube channel for children to read her book, The Bench.
The Duchess Of Sussex, 40, wore her hair in a sleek bun and added jewellery to the video. In the video, you can see her reclining in a garden seat at her Santa Barbara home, which is worth $14 million.
The video was shared via Brightly Storytime, which is owned by Penguin Random House. Penguin Random House published The Bench, and Prince Harry has a book deal with them.
Before she began to read, she explained: “Today, I’m going be reading to you my book, The Bench, with Christian Robinson, the illustrator…I asked him for something special and to use watercolours. This isn’t his usual medium, but he did it to make it extra special.
“I wrote this poem to my husband and Archie as a poem, and then turned it into an ebook so you could also enjoy it.”
Meghan Markle looked elegant in a blue shirt with jeans while she appeared on a children’s YouTube channel to share her book The Bench.
The Duchess can be seen closing The Bench at the end.
“And now, I hope that you are able to find your own bench, chair, or quiet nook.
“Just a space that means something to me that you can share with someone I love. Brightly Storytime wishes you a wonderful day. Goodbye!
After The Bench became a New York Times bestseller, Meghan claimed that her children’s book The Bench showed ‘another side to masculinity’. She wanted to thank readers.
In a statement announcing her book in May 2021, the duchess said she wanted the story, which was published on June 8 by Random House, to be told through an ‘inclusive lens’ and feature a ‘diverse group of father and sons’.
The book was illustrated by Christian Robinson, 35, from Sacramento, who was brought up by his grandmother in a one-bedroom flat also shared with his brother, two cousins and aunt.
The Duchess of Sussex explained how she wrote the book as a poem for her husband Harry and their son Archie
The bestselling artist, who has worked for Pixar, has previously detailed how his creativity growing up was his way of ‘having some say over my circumstances’ while his mother, who struggled with addiction and mental health, was in prison for most of his childhood, for reasons unknown.
Meghan, who revealed her book was inspired by a poem she wrote for Prince Harry at the time of the birth of their son Archie, said she worked closely with Christian to create the ‘beautiful and ethereal watercolour illustrations’ in the story.
In a statement on the Archewell website in June, the Duchess said: ‘While this poem began as a love letter to my husband and son, I’m encouraged to see that its universal themes of love, representation and inclusivity are resonating with communities everywhere.
These core values are the foundation of a world that is more compassionate and equitable.
Meghan even went so far as to suggest that her book could be part of a blueprint for a new world, saying: ‘To depict another side of masculinity — one grounded in connection, emotion, and softness — is to model a world that so many would like to see for their sons and daughters alike.’
The Bench was inspired by a poem the Duchess of Sussex wrote for Prince Harry on Father’s Day, the month after Archie was born, and explores the ‘special bond between father and son’ as ‘seen through a mother’s eyes’.