Duchess upset as Princess Charlotte linked to Diana’s iconic tiara
Meghan Markle is reportedly standing her ground after learning her daughter will be excluded from an honour tied to the late Princess Diana, sparking fresh tensions between the Sussexes and the Waleses.
Although the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back from royal duties in 2020, they have said their children could choose royal roles in the future. Recent peace talks between Buckingham Palace and the couple in Montecito have even raised the possibility of Archie, six, and Lilibet, four, being more connected to the royal fold.
That prospect now appears strained after Meghan discovered that the Spencer Tiara – famously worn by Diana on her wedding day – is expected to go to Princess Charlotte. The piece is a private family heirloom belonging to Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer, rather than part of the Crown Jewels, giving him final say over its use.
Given Charlotte’s position in the royal family and her role as Diana’s granddaughter, sources say she is viewed as the natural choice to inherit or wear the tiara at future events. Meghan, however, sees this as another slight against her children.
Jewellery experts estimate the tiara’s value at around £535,000 and note that Charlotte, who plays a more public role, is seen as carrying forward Diana’s legacy in the royal spotlight. While Lilibet shares the same lineage, her ties to the royal institution are more distant.
The matter could become more complicated since Harry maintains a good relationship with the Spencer family despite his ongoing rift with the royals, leaving open the question of whether this will turn into a new flashpoint between the two branches of the family.
