Real Reason Why Prince William ‘Banned’ Meghan Markle From Wearing Mom Diana’s Jewelry

Prince William, long wary of his brother marrying Meghan Markle, once banned her from wearing his late mother’s jewelry.

Prince William hasn't always been welcoming of his brother’s wife, Meghan Markle. According to reports, William was always wary of Prince Harry marrying the former American actress. Royal author Rob Jobson claims he once went so far as to even ban Markle from wearing his late mother, Princess Diana’s, jewels.

Jobson, in his work Catherine, the Princess of Wales: The Biography, explained the cracks between the Waleses’ and Sussexes’ relationship. As reported by The Independent, he wrote, “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.” After Harry and Markle’s engagement was announced in 2017, Jobson alleged, “William had confided to his brother that he believed it would be better to give Meghan more time to adjust to the royal way of life and suggested he cool the relationship.”

Jobson added that Harry was understandably displeased with his brother’s reservations and harsh judgment about his soon-to-be wife. He said, “As a direct result, his relationship with his brother deteriorated fast.” The author also mentioned another notable incident about how Markle got off on a shaky start with William and Kate Middleton. He claimed Markle ‘ignored the royal hierarchy.’ “When Meghan, who had forgotten her lip gloss, asked to borrow Catherine’s, the Duchess was ‘taken aback’ but reluctantly handed it to her…she ‘grimaced’ after Meghan had squeezed some onto her finger and applied it to her lips,” the book explained.

William wasn't the only royal member who forbade Markle from wearing Diana’s jewellery. Harry’s memoir, Spare, also talks about how the Queen interfered with her choice of wearing one of Diana’s tiaras. According to Page Six, the Queen allegedly insisted they choose something from her private collection at Buckingham Palace instead. Harry also revealed that there were also ‘heated debates’ on whether Markle, a divorced woman, should wear a veil for her wedding.

Meghan Markle copies Princess Diana’s iconic Northwestern sweater look as she posts video gardening at her home in Montecito.

Markle uploaded the video to Instagram, days before the release of her new lifestyle Netflix series, ‘With Love, Meghan.’ pic.twitter.com/C8GxzuLvwu

— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) February 24, 2025

William wasn’t just possessive about Markle wearing Diana’s jewels—he was reportedly furious when she began imitating his late mother’s fashion choices. Over the years, Markle has consistently paid tribute to Diana through her fashion choices. In an Instagram video from last month, she famously wore a purple Northwestern University sweater. It was identical to one gifted to the late Princess of Wales by the University in 1996. She has also been seen sporting Princess Diana’s favorite Cartier bracelet, a gift from Harry. However, it isn't just Markle copying Diana. William's own wife, Middleton, has channeled her mother-in-law's style on several occasions. She once copied Diana’s light blue polka dot dress at St. Mary's Hospital after the birth of Prince George in July 2013.