Off The Record
Author Says Prince William Opposed Meghan From Wearing Princess Diana’s Jewelry
According to a recently released biography, Prince William “sought assurances” that his brother’s wife would never again wear the priceless jewelry that their late mother had.
In “Catherine, the Princess of Wales: A Biography of the Future Queen,” written by Robert Jobson and released on August 6, it is revealed that Prince William was hesitant for Meghan Markle to wear Princess Diana’s jewelry.
Before Harry’s May 2018 wedding, the brothers’ tense relationship is revealed in the book. Their relationship had deteriorated by the time William accepted to be Harry’s best man, and the Prince of Wales began to worry about Harry’s partner of choice.
According to Robert’s book, “William, still concerned by the match, even sought assurances from the Queen that his brother’s bride-to-be would not wear any jewelry in the collection once worn by Diana, Princess of Wales, even though his wife Catherine had been allowed to wear some, which would be due to her rank [sic].”
The growing gap in distance between the two spouses is also highlighted in the book. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex turned down the opportunity to move to Kensington Palace, adjacent to William and Catherine. Attempts to minimize the conflict failed to hide the division.
A source in Robert’s book revealed that Meghan was “taken aback” by the stark difference in living conditions between the brothers. The source claimed, “It was perhaps the beginning of all the tensions between the two couples.”
Meghan felt Harry should have been given more due to his royal status, even if she recognized William’s superior status. Former royal correspondent for the BBC, Jennie Bond, offers additional context for the situation.
Speaking to The Sun in June 2024, Jennie expressed that Meghan should have been given more time to adjust to royal life. She compared Harry and Meghan’s quick courtship with William and Catherine’s decade-long relationship, which allowed the Princess of Wales to better understand the demands of royalty.
“Kate was given ten years to peer into the goldfish bowl of royal life. I think it was brilliant; she saw all the restrictions and glare of publicity it brings,” Jennie said. She added that William’s warning to Harry about rushing into the relationship with Meghan “came from a good place.”
Jennie also made the observation that more prosperous royal marriages have resulted from slower courtships, such as that of William and Catherine and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, who is married to Prince Edward.
Apart from supposedly prohibiting Meghan from utilizing Diana’s jewels, William allegedly made a significant move by removing a crucial employee from his staff.
To the surprise of internet users, he withdrew Queen Camilla’s sister, Annabel Elliot, from the Duchy of Cornwall’s payroll. Annabel has been the estate’s interior designer since 2005, working under King Charles III’s supervision on a number of royal homes, according to The Telegraph on July 24.
The departure of the 75-year-old interior designer coincides with William’s attempt to impose his will on the estate’s management. After working for over two decades, she was not compensated for her services in 2023–2024, according to the most recent Duchy accounting.
A line from the Duchy’s 2024 annual report, which covered William’s first six months of inheriting the estate after Queen Elizabeth II’s death and Charles’s final six months of overseeing it, was repeated in the report.
The statement read, “During the period to September 8, 2022, the Duchy paid Mrs. Annabel Elliot, the 24th Duke of Cornwall’s sister-in-law, in the normal course of business and on an arm’s length basis £19,625 (or $25,091.25) for fees and commission and £12,316 ($15746.44) for the purchase of furniture, furnishings and retail stock for the Duchy of Cornwall holiday accommodation, Duchy offices and Duchy Nursery. At 31st March 2024, there was £nil (2023: £nil) remaining payable to Mrs Elliot in respect of these [sic].”
The Duchy is a private estate that gives the Duke of Cornwall and his family income and finances their official and personal endeavors. In order to help his son, Prince Edward, Edward III founded this location in 1337, which is subject to specific charters and rules.
The management of the estate prioritizes sustainability and advantages to the community in order to protect it for future generations. William, the current Duke of Cornwall, pays income tax on the estate’s annual profits but does not have access to the estate’s cash.
In addition to its historical importance, the Duchy provides opulent vacation rentals in historic structures located in Cornwall, Wales, and the Isles of Scilly. These repurposed materials, such as glass bottles for lamp fixtures and old chests for coffee tables, are used in Annabel’s interior design, which combines modern and ancient designs.
The estate uses renewable energy heating systems and green electricity to promote its environmental friendliness. Additionally, it encourages eco-friendly travel that benefits regional economies and communities.
Online responses to William’s decision to remove Annabel from the duchy’s payroll were divided. One person supported William’s decision, pointing out that Annabel’s post had been granted because of family ties.
Some netizens were unaware of Annabel’s role, with some expressing surprise at her presence on the payroll. Others questioned her involvement, noting she completed her contract and is now retiring. Another supported her removal, emphasizing she isn’t William’s “mother or aunt.”
A different commentator brought attention to the age divide, making the joke that William would naturally like a different style than an 80-year-old and that they also wouldn’t hire their grandmother’s interior decorator.
Meanwhile, William’s decision received mixed reactions, with some praising his wisdom, while others questioned his intentions, suggesting he might be showing his “true color.”
Another critic minimized Annabel’s role in the royal family, pointing out that she was over retirement age and that her dismissal was expected, and accusing the media of fabricating drama.
Annabel continues to work on royal projects even though the Duchy no longer employs her, such as the most recent Balmoral restorations. But according to reports, her business, Annabel Elliot Limited, has been having financial difficulties lately, as seen by a noticeable drop in assets.
The headquarters of Annabel’s business are in Stourpaine, Dorset, in her country home. It is said that while Charles was still married to the late Princess Diana, she and her late husband, Simon, gave Charles and Camilla permission to “hold secret meetings” in this location.
In light of recent events, Camilla’s connection with the royal family is still a contentious issue. March 2024 saw reports that Harry was skeptical of William and the Queen’s blossoming relationship.
Royal expert and author Tom Quinn said, “He [Harry] really distrusts that William actually gets on rather well now with Camilla; Harry will see this as a betrayal.”
Tom also said that Harry was taken aback when William came to understand that Camilla, who they had once thought of as a “monster” as children, was in fact a “nice woman.”
He continued, “She is exceptionally good at listening with a sympathetic ear, and William has definitely warmed to that.”
Tom further explained that Harry views William’s improved relationship with Camilla as another instance of William failing to remain loyal to the family. “For Harry, things have never really moved on since his mother died,” Tom added.
Prince William’s disapproval of Meghan wearing Diana’s jewels, Harry’s mistrust of his brother, and Annabel’s dismissal all contribute to the royal drama and widen the gap between the brothers.
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