Meghan Markle, balancing her roles as mother and businesswoman, says she does not regularly engage with public commentary about herself or her family.
In a recent interview with Harper’s Bazaar, the Duchess of Sussex explained that Prince Harry has the stomach for the harsh headlines and social media commentaries about their family and the royals in the UK. She specifically mentioned his unique perspective on the media.
She stated: “He loves me so boldly, fully, and he also has a different perspective because he sees media that I wouldn’t. No one in the world loves me more than him, so I know he’s always going to make sure that he has my back.”
However, every once in a while, Markle has no choice but to address certain rumors or reports circulating online. Case in point: the whole emerald dress drama.
Markle has given the latest tabloid furor some further oxygen, choosing to have an official spokesperson address the stunning claims that, despite being a multi-millionaire who married a prince, she “walked away” from a 2022 Variety cover shoot in a pricey green gown and had the audacity to re-wear the dress in a promotional setting.
However, it seems that Meghan Markle might have inadvertently done the opposite of what she wanted. Instead of killing the “green gown” story, she gave it more visibility by having a spokesperson issue an official denial.
The controversy surrounding the dress has been fueled by multiple sources trading barbs, debating whether the alleged snatching of the stunning $1,695 emerald-green Galvan “Ushuaia” gown was a “fashion foul” or a little-known “royal protocol.”
The Allegation: A Disappearing Green Gown
The Duchess of Sussex sparked the latest round of scrutiny when a trailer for her upcoming show, With Love, Meghan Holiday Celebration, was released by Netflix. The Suits actress and lifestyle guru appeared in a brief clip in which she decorates and cooks a holiday feast.
While being the perfect hostess, Markle looked gorgeous in a one-shoulder green dress that appears to be the exact dress allegedly kept from the 2022 Variety photoshoot.
A person, who was on the set of the shoot, spoke to Page Six and fueled the spectacular rumors: “Markle took the dress from the shoot without asking.”
The outlet noted that the insider “confirmed the ‘rumblings that the pricey one-shoulder, emerald green Galvan ‘Ushuaia’ gown had disappeared from the photo shoot.’”
A second source told the media outlet that Markle left with a gown, while another insider provided context regarding the perceived triviality of the claim.
The source claimed Markle could have taken the gown because no one had told her no if she asked and said: “No one is spiraling — but the move is a weird thing to do without asking, since I doubt they would have said no.”
The fashion source explains that it is common for celebrities to take creations they wear on shoots, but they usually ask for or pay for the clothes or accessories.
The source claimed: “It’s not uncommon if talent loves something from a shoot that they ask to keep it or purchase it. They would normally be offered a discount if its something the designer can’t part with or a sample that needs to be returned.'”
The Defense: Royal Protocol or “A Fib”?
Defenders of Markle argue these instances illustrate a royal protocol requiring her to archive clothes worn on official shoots and appearances—positioning the controversy as a misunderstanding, not misconduct.
The source said: “As a royal, she was required to archive all her looks. It was known that when things were pulled, they may not be returned.’”
However, this alleged protocol was sharply rejected by another source, who stated: “It’s a fib!” The second person claimed that there was no communicated or known rule regarding archiving clothes as described.
The Duchess’s team, however, issued a forceful statement after the claims were made. A spokesperson for the Sussexes has reached out to the media: “The insinuation that any items were taken without the full knowledge and agreement of the on-set stylists or their respective teams was categorically false. Any items kept were done so in total transparency and in accordance with contractual arrangements.”
A Pattern of Keeping Wardrobe
The story has made it clear that this is an odd pattern for Meghan Markle. In the past, she has been accused of walking out of fashion shoots with designer items. In October, Markle was photographed in a black-and-white tweed strapless midi dress by Chanel during a date night with Prince Harry in NYC.
Many fashion experts knew that they had seen the pieces somewhere else before. They were correct. Markle wore the dress for a 2022 photoshoot for The Cut.
Following the fuel that Markle has a penchant for items that are not hers, journalist Vanessa Grigoriadis spoke about another incident on another high-profile shoot. The reporter appeared on Andrew Gold’s Heretics podcast and claimed that the California royal took “a lot of stuff” after she wore them.
Grigoriadis publicly questioned the motivation behind the alleged actions: “What’s shocking about hearing these kinds of alleged stories is that somebody who is living in a $15 million plus mansion in Montecito, who’s just had $100 million deals, would care enough to take home some jewelry and clothes from a photoshoot that she can clearly afford.”
Members of the Royal Family have never heard the term “archiving looks” from photoshoots. However, according to official royal policy, “the fundamental principle of gift acceptance is that working members of the Royal Family are not permitted to accept any gifts, hospitality, or services — especially from commercial enterprises — that might place them under an obligation to the donor.” Specifically regarding clothes and samples, the policy states that “such gifts should always be returned unless the return cost is prohibitive.” This policy does not require archiving of clothing.
The Denial Backfires
Meghan Markle’s stunningly shaky defense, claiming the green dress and other creations she snatched from high fashion shoots were for a “royal archive,” has backfired. Because her explanation directly contradicts established Royal Family policy, which forbids members from accepting free gifts or clothing from commercial entities.
Critics and even some of her supporters argue she has unintentionally worsened the situation by inviting scrutiny into a “protocol” that does not exist.
