Meghan Markle, 42, Wears $28,450 Worth of Jewelry While Visiting a Local Diner with Prince Harry

Meghan Markle dazzled onlookers during a casual visit to a Texas barbecue spot with Prince Harry, not just with her chic denim ensemble but with a stunning display of jewelry worth over $28,000.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry showcased their support for small businesses in a remarkably stylish manner at LaBarbecue, Texas.

Meghan, known for her impeccable taste, opted for a chic ensemble consisting of a denim button-down shirt paired with matching jeans, elegantly topped off with a white blazer and flats. What turned heads, however, was not just her attire but the jewelry she sported, valued at an eye-catching $28,450 in total.

Comprising a necklace, a tennis bracelet, and a bangle from various esteemed brands, each piece was meticulously crafted in gold, some adorned with diamonds, adding a layer of sparkle and elegance to her smart casual look.

At the forefront of her jewelry ensemble was the "Baby Reverse Water Drop Diamond Tennis Necklace" from Logan Hollowell. This exquisite piece, available for $15,600, is offered in gold, rose gold, and white gold variants, featuring lab-grown diamonds that encircle the wearer in luxury. Each necklace is custom-made to order, emphasizing its exclusivity and appeal.

On her wrist, Meghan wore the "Diamond Hex Tennis Bracelet" by Ariel Gordon. Priced at $5,500, the bracelet boasts over 1.5 carats of round brilliant cut diamonds set in solid gold hexagon-shaped links, with a total of 26 stones. Handmade in Los Angeles, its 14k yellow gold base radiates a timeless charm.

Completing her jewelry collection for the day was the iconic Love bracelet from Cartier. Crafted from 18k yellow gold and secured with a unique screwdriver mechanism, this piece is a testament to enduring love and style, retailing at $7,350.

Meghan's affinity for fine jewelry has lent a helping hand to burgeoning brands, such as Kimai, a London-based company specializing in ethically lab-grown diamonds.

Co-founders Sidney Neuhaus and Jessica Warch attributed their $1.2 million investment influx to Meghan's endorsement. The Duchess was seen wearing Kimai's 18k yellow gold Felicity crawler earrings during a visit to the Smart Works charity in 2019. The piece retailed for $845 per earring and had diamonds and pave stones.

Admittedly, the owners launched their brand without investments. They were also told that lab-grown stones were new in the industry and quite controversial. Still, they convinced Meghan to wear their pieces through cold emails and successfully entered the market.

Contrary to rumors, Warch confirmed that Meghan purchased the earrings directly, and did not get it for free. Warch expressed gratitude for the attention Meghan's support brought to both their designs and the concept of lab-grown diamonds, marking a significant moment for the industry.

“I think for us as a young brand starting out, it’s very hard to get out there, and her wearing our designs really attracted people’s attention from a design perspective but also from a lab-grown diamond perspective,” Warch said. “It was the first time royalty was seen wearing lab-grown diamonds.”

Meghan's taste for luxury extends beyond jewelry. At the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas, celebrating International Women's Day, Meghan Markle made headlines not just for her insightful contributions to discussions on women's representation in media but also for her attire.

Donning a sophisticated yet effortlessly chic pinstripe silk ensemble, she radiated a blend of business casual and luxury. The outfit, consisting of the "Husband Shirt in Striped Silk" and the "Lena Skirt in Striped Silk" from Giuliva Heritage, demonstrated exceptional craftsmanship.

Handcrafted in Italy from sustainably sourced silk, each piece—the shirt priced at approximately $973 and the skirt at $1,050—exemplified the brand's dedication to quality and environmental consciousness.

However, her attire was met with mixed reactions from onlookers. Many criticized it for being wrinkled, while others adored the royal.

Meghan's recent appearances emphasize her ability to blend style with substance, whether through her fashion choices or her advocacy for ethical brands. Her influence continues to shape trends and support causes close to her heart, making her a true icon of modern royalty.

As previously reported on March 18:

In a heartwarming blend of royal presence and local charm, Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, and her husband, Prince Harry, were recently seen engaging with the community in Texas. Their visit also saw them visit La Barbecue, a renowned barbecue restaurant, where the couple, not shying away from the spotlight, warmly mingled with both staff and patrons.

The restaurant captured this memorable occasion with a series of photographs shared on social media, showcasing the Sussexes in various candid moments with the employees — from posing with a staff member to engaging in conversations inside the eatery and even capturing moments outside the establishment.

The caption accompanying these images expressed gratitude towards the royal couple: "Thank you so much Meghan and Harry for visiting us today!! It was so nice to meet you both 🔥 This page is a place for love and support, if you have something negative to say, take it somewhere else. ❤️"

Despite the overwhelmingly positive atmosphere, reactions to Meghan's attire — jeans paired with a relaxed-fit denim button-up top from Aritzia, complemented by an ivory blazer by Heidi Merrick made of raw silk and hemp — were mixed among fans online. Critics commented on her choice of outfit, with remarks such as, "Why is she dressed in a power suit from the 80s god she always looks so sloppy" and "She never irons her clothes, is there no iron where Megan lives."

This is not the first time Markle has been criticized for her attire. She was also critiqued for her SXSW appearance this month. While some fans ignored La Barbecue asking that no negativity be shared on their page, others shared love and positivity. Many jumped to Markle's defense, highlighting the positive impact of the visit with comments like, "Ahh love Prince Harry & Meghan," "Omg," and "Lovely."

This outing is part of the Sussexes' broader visit to Texas for The Archewell Foundation’s San Antonio Welcome Project, which aids in the resettlement of Afghan women by developing their sewing skills and fostering community. The Duke and Duchess actively participated in these sessions, witnessing the joy and creativity unleashed among the women. Their visit was crowned with the Duchess joining in to prepare bolani, a traditional Afghan flatbread, emphasizing the communal and nurturing spirit of their mission.

Furthermore, the royal couple's journey included a profoundly meaningful stop in Uvalde, Texas, to meet with the family of Irma Garcia, a victim of the tragic Robb Elementary School shooting. Irma Garcia's dedication as a teacher for 23 years and her untimely death, followed by her husband Joe Garcia's death from a heart attack, left a community in mourning and a nation in shock. The Sussexes' visit, was described as "beautiful" and "compassionate" by Irma's nephew, John Martinez.

Martinez shared that the family were excited at the fact that Meghan Markle would be visiting, saying: “It was kind of by surprise, she [Meghan] had called my mom one random day and dropped the news on us not too long ago that she was coming to visit the kids and of course we got so excited.”

The young man shared that when the couple visited the family, they talked with Irma and Joe's children about their plans for the future. Before they left, they surprised Martinez's mother with a cake to celebrate her birthday and sang "Happy Birthday" to her. This was the second time the family had met with Markle and Prince Harry.

Days after the shooting, Markle had visited the makeshift memorial at the county courthouse, where she placed flowers. A representative for Markle shared: “She took this trip in a personal capacity as a mother, to offer her condolences and support in person to a community experiencing unimaginable grief.”

The couple's efforts in Uvalde did not stop with personal visits; through The Archewell Foundation, they have joined forces with the City of Uvalde and KABOOM! to construct a playground at DeLeon Park. This initiative aims to offer a sanctuary for joy and healing, embodying the resilience and hope of a community striving to recover from an unspeakable tragedy. Their actions, both in personal gestures and community projects, reflect a profound commitment to providing support and fostering recovery in the aftermath of violence.