A newly published biography reveals that Prince William “sought assurances” to stop his brother’s wife from ever wearing their late mother’s cherished jewelry.
Robert Jobson’s new book, “Catherine, the Princess of Wales: A Biography of the Future Queen,” published on August 6, sheds light on how Prince William had reservations about Meghan Markle wearing Princess Diana’s jewelry collection.
The book sheds light on the strained relationship between the brothers before Harry’s wedding in May 2018. By the time William agreed to be Harry’s best man, their relationship had worsened, and the Prince of Wales grew concerned about Harry’s choice of partner.
Robert’s book read, “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].”
Princess Catherine wears Princess Diana’s Cambridge Lover’s Knot tiara at the State Banquet at Buckingham Palace on November 22, 2022 | Source: Getty ImagesPrincess Diana wears the Cambridge Lover’s Knot tiara at a banquet in Auckland on April 29, 1983 | Source: Getty ImagesPrincess Catherine wears Princess Diana’s sapphire engagement ring during a visit to Maidenhead Rugby Club in Maidenhead, England, on June 7, 2023 | Source: Getty ImagesPrincess Diana’s sapphire engagement ring, seen on April 25, 1991 | Source: Getty Images
The book also highlights the increasing distance between the two couples. When the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were offered a chance to move next to William and Catherine at Kensington Palace, they declined. Despite efforts to downplay the feud, the divide became obvious.
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.”
Although Meghan understood William’s higher rank, she believed Harry deserved more because of his royal status. Further insight into the situation comes from former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond.
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 pointed out that slower courtships, like those of William and Catherine, as well as Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, who is married to Prince Edward, have led to more successful royal marriages.
In addition to allegedly banning Meghan from using Diana’s jewelry, William reportedly took another decisive step by dismissing a key figure from his payroll.
He removed Annabel Elliot, Queen Camilla’s sister, from the Duchy of Cornwall’s payroll, surprising netizens. According to The Telegraph on July 24, Annabel has been the estate’s interior designer since 2005, working under King Charles III’s direction on various royal properties.
The 75-year-old interior designer’s departure comes as William begins to shape the estate’s management in his way. The latest Duchy accounts show she wasn’t paid for her services in 2023-2024, marking the end of nearly two decades of work.
The report repeated a statement from the Duchy’s 2024 annual report, which covered Charles’s last six months managing the estate and William’s first six months after inheriting it following Queen Elizabeth II’s death.
The statement read, “During the period to 8th September 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].”
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