With the release of a trailer for her new Netflix show, Meghan Markle’s jewellery claims to suit those who ‘enjoy basking in the spotlight’ and who ‘rule’ over their ‘kingdom’
Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has long been known as a very conscious dresser – aware that something as subtle as an earring could be ‘one of the most powerful things’ she could do. So, in the newly released trailer for her Netflix show, With Love, Meghan, could it be that her subtle choices of jewellery hold a symbolic royal message?
In the trailer, shared to the Duchess of Sussex’s newly updated Instagram account, Meghan Markle can be seen baking, arranging flowers and collecting honey, as she chats with a number of celebrity guests, including Mindy Kaling, her makeup artist Daniel Martin and former Suits co-star Abigail Spencer. Prince Harry also makes an appearance in the trailer, with a short clip showing the Duke cuddling up with the Duchess.
The sneak-peak at Meghan’s new Netflix project has been met with a mixed reception. Many of the Duchess’s fans heralded With Love, Meghan as a return to her passion project before marrying into the royal family, lifestyle blog ‘The Tig’. For royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams, however, the ‘Disneyfied’ trailer was a reminder that, had Meghan and Harry not stepped back from royal life, they ‘could have carved out a special role, especially in the Commonwealth, which is what Queen Elizabeth intended.’
He told MailOnline: ‘It would certainly have meant sacrifice, but they could have helped others in a meaningful way by supporting charitable causes. Instead they caused a royal rift and Harry, reduced to a cameo role in this trailer, has lost so much which he valued.’
The debate, then, continues to focus on Meghan Markle’s relation to her royal status as she steps into this new era of her career. And, as many have come to expect from the sartorially-savvy Duchess of Sussex, her jewellery may well carry some symbolic indications that Meghan has chosen to channel some very royal energy indeed.
Take, for example, the ring she wears while feeding her dog what appears to be a homemade dog biscuit (the kind of product fans are hoping her long-anticipated lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, might sell). On Meghan’s finger sits her ‘Leo’ constellation ring by Logan Hollowell in 14k gold and diamonds. Inspired by the Duchess’ star sign, Leo, the band seems to encapsulate the truly regal aspects of Meghan’s character that fans have come to love.
‘Those born under Leo, are highly esteemed, honorable and very devoted,’ reads the description of the ring on Hollowell’s website. ‘The kingdom could be anything from work to home to a partner, whatever it is, you rule it. Leo is always center stage and full of flair, they enjoy basking in the spotlight. A Leo always makes their presence known.’ The star sign is ‘kind and open-hearted’, says the website, ‘always trying to make things right in the world’.
Indeed, while the Duchess says that her new programme is ‘not in the pursuit of perfection’ but the ‘pursuit of joy’, her friend Mindy Kaling describes one cake-tasting session as ‘one of the most glamorous moments of my life.’
The Duchess of Sussex also owns a similar ring inspired by the Virgo constellation – the star sign of her husband, Prince Harry.
Another item of jewellery that suggests Meghan Markle is channeling her royal side in this new Netflix trailer? One necklace she wears, again by Logan Hollowell, is named the ‘Queen’ Emerald Cuban Choker, which the Duchess paired with a J Crew sweater tank top. A glimpse of the necklace’s description reveals the regal message behind the Duchess’ style choice. Heralded as ‘a choker fit for a Queen’, the piece is said to be ‘inspired by the knowledge that magic lives within all of us.’
The description continues: ‘We all carry powers and that goes beyond merely what’s seen. Let these pieces remind you to tap into these powers and walk with the knowledge that you are capable of changing and manifesting your own life.’
And the Duchess of Sussex is certainly walking into an era of great change this year. Many will hope that the release of With Love, Meghan on 15th January marks a new chapter after a difficult 2024.
Despite announcing in March that she would soon launch her own lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, the project is still yet to come to fruition. In fact, there are rumours that ARO has been beset by problems for months: several trademark issues have been reported, and some say that Meghan ‘struggled’ to find a CEO for the brand. One source in the know, however, has told American publication Page Six that any reports suggesting ARO is in trouble are vastly overblown. ‘She’s been keeping her cards close to her chest,’ they told the outlet, adding: ‘I can tell you that she is the CEO of American Riviera Orchard, so all these rumours about her having a hard time finding a CEO are false.’
Speculation is now likely to mount that Meghan will launch her American Riviera Orchard brand at the same time as this new Netflix series. Insiders previously told how the Duchess would launch the two simultaneously, previously revealing Meghan is getting excited about both projects. Sources speaking last year told Us Weekly it will time perfectly with the release of her new Netflix series. Insiders said, ‘[ARO] will likely be very much in line with who Meghan is as a person. She loves hosting events, and she’s very thoughtful about how she treats her guests whenever they come over.’
No doubt Meghan Markle’s supporters will be hoping that, like her star sign ring predicts, she ‘rules’ over this new era.