Meghan Markle sported a staggering $384,000 worth of jewelry while posing for the cover of Time's most influential people issue alongside her husband Prince Harry - including a $62,000 custom pinky ring made with diamonds from a mystery donor in the Middle East.
The Duchess of Sussex, 40, donned several of her favorite pieces from her luxurious collection - including a $23,000 gold Cartier Tank watch that once belonged to Princess Diana and was gifted to her by her husband in the early years of their relationship, which she paired with a $6,900 Cartier Love bangle.
However, one item that has raised questions is the royal's pinky ring which is reportedly a custom Lorraine Schwartz design, and a jewelry expert has estimated to be worth a whopping $62,039 (£45,000).'
Speaking exclusively to FEMAIL, Alexandra Michell Gemologist Prestige Pawnbrokers of Channel 4’s Posh Pawn commented: 'It's a simple emerald cut diamond on band, which is usually high clarity due to the cut. I'm estimating this as 1.50cts high colour (D) high clarity (internally flawless) and to be worth around $62,039 (£45,000).'
According to Page Six, Meghan 'turned to celebrity jeweler Lorraine Schwartz to fashion the ring from a gift of diamonds that the couple received from the Middle East.' So, just who is the Duchess of Sussex being gifted diamonds from?
Meghan Markle sported a staggering $384,000 worth of jewelry while posing for the cover of Time's most influential people issue alongside her husband Prince Harry - including a XX custom pinky ring made with diamonds from a mystery donor in the middle east
In March, the royal was criticized by a lawyer fighting for justice for murdered Jamal Khashoggi over her decision to wear diamond earrings given to her by the man accused of ordering the brutal killing.
Michael Eisner, who heads a human rights group founded by Mr Khashoggi three months before his death, said the stunning chandelier earrings were 'bought with blood money' by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
He said he was 'baffled' that the Duchess did not know the Prince, known as MBS, was linked to the murder when she wore the earrings at a State dinner, or his appalling human rights record.
'Those earrings were bought with blood money and given to her by a murderer,' said Mr Eisner, chief operating officer of Democracy for the Arab World Now (Dawn). 'She has no business wearing them.'
The Chopard earrings were presented to the Queen by the Crown Prince as an official gift for Meghan on her wedding to Prince Harry in 2018.
Meghan Duchess of Sussex attends a reception and dinner hosted by the President of Fiji at the Grand Pacific Hotel, Suva, Fiji, October 2018 wearing the earrings
BRUTAL DEATH: Journalist Jamal Khashoggi
The Duchess wore them on the first night of a visit with her husband to Fiji on October 23, 2018 – three weeks after Mr Khashoggi was killed and dismembered in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, and when there were prominent media reports linking MBS to the shocking assassination.
The Duchess's lawyers insisted that at the time of the dinner she was unaware of speculation that MBS was involved in Mr Khashoggi's murder. However, well-placed sources claimed the Duchess ignored advice from aides not to wear the jewelery.