Megan Markle made a stylish appearance in Santa Barbara on Monday, showcasing a blend of casual luxury that included Princess Diana's watch, a Bentley and Skinner diamond tennis bracelet valued at least £4,900, and her enigmatic diamond pinky ring crafted by celebrity jeweler Lorraine Schwarz, estimated to be worth a staggering $62,000. The provenance of Megan's diamond pinky ring has been shrouded in mystery, leading to heightened speculation and whispers about a potential mystery donor from the Middle East.
Questions surrounding the origin of this sparkling piece intensified when Megan prominently featured the ring on the cover of Time Magazine and during recent public outings. Despite initial efforts to clarify its origin, with the Sussexes' representative asserting it was sourced by a stylist and not from a mystery diamond donor, a subsequent U-turn left the situation murky.
The representative retracted the statement, refraining from addressing the Lorraine Schwarz ring, sparking ongoing debate about whether Megan may have received the diamond during her time as a working royal, a period without any public records documenting such gifts in accordance with Royal protocol.
The absence of clarity regarding the diamond's origin, first spotted on Megan's finger in October 2020, raises questions about potential private trips or undisclosed gifts during her royal duties. Buckingham Palace only discloses gifts received by royals during official duties, leaving the possibility of private acquisitions uncharted. While Megan received loose diamonds alongside the infamous bloodshot earrings, the association of the Lorraine Schwarz ring with the Saudis led to a distancing by the designer, indicating a strained professional relationship.
Megan's history as a yacht girl has fueled speculation about possible connections with Saudi princes, suggesting the diamond may have originated from her pre-Harry days. Accusations of flaunting wealth emerged when she sported the pinky ring at Prince Harry's Invictus Games, drawing attention for its expensive allure and raising eyebrows about the appropriateness of showcasing such opulence at a charitable event. Despite earlier denials about the ring's connection to diamonds from the Middle East, Megan continued to wear it alongside Harry, adding a layer of mystery and controversy to the couple's public appearances.
In 2021, the couple denied claims that the ring was crafted from a stone given as part of a gift of diamonds from the Middle East. Whether Megan was given the ring or purchased it at full price remains uncertain, prompting questions about the timing and appropriateness of displaying such extravagance amid their ongoing charitable efforts. The juxtaposition of extreme privilege against their charitable endeavors has sparked discussion about the image the Sussexes project, especially when adorned with symbols of wealth during philanthropic events.
