Meghan Markle wears cross necklace which belonged to Princess Diana - but experts 'never saw her wear it'

Meghan Markle turned heads with a sparkling new addition to her jewellery collection during her and Prince Harry's trip to Nigeria, believed to be from Princess Diana's trove.

The Duchess of Sussex was seen at a reception for military families in Abuja, where the sunlight caught the delicate diamond cross around her neck, sparking speculation among Royal enthusiasts who don't remember the late Princess of Wales ever wearing such a piece.

According to the New York Post, the necklace is said to have been passed down to Meghan, 42, by Prince Harry, who received it as part of his inheritance from Diana's private collection.

A source reportedly close to the Sussexes shared: "A gift to his wife that once belonged to his mother is incredibly meaningful and that isn't lost on his wife."

Yet, the same report has stirred scepticism among some insiders.

The Post's picture editors have also failed to unearth any images of Diana donning the necklace in public, reports the Scottish Daily Express.

An insider with close ties to Diana expressed surprise at the sighting: "No, I didn't recognise this at all," adding that Diana typically shied away from religious symbols to maintain professionalism and avoid potential offence.

Meanwhile, a "London socialite" weighed in, questioning the narrative: "Meghan likes to curate her jewellery to tell a certain story. I find it hard to believe that she's been sitting on this necklace for five years."

Diana, who tragically passed away at the age of 37 in August 1997, was only seen wearing a cross twice in public during her more than 16 years as one of the world's most photographed women.

On one occasion, while embracing HIV-positive children in San Paulo, Brazil, in April 1991, a small baby reached up to touch her gold cross necklace.

She later donated the cross and chain to a charity auction scheduled for September 1997.

The items were stored and eventually sold to an Australian collector for an undisclosed amount.

The only other instance was when she borrowed the Attallah Cross crafted by Royal jeweller, Garrard, in 1920 from her friend, businessman Naim Attallah, for a charity gala in London in October 1987.

It was auctioned off in January 2023 and bought by Kim Kardashian for just under $200,000.

All of Diana's jewellery collection was bequeathed to her sons, William and Harry, although there has always been some mystery surrounding why her will was seemingly altered by her executors.

It stipulated that three-quarters of her physical possessions should go to her sons, with the remaining quarter divided among her 17 godchildren.

However, the godchildren received only one keepsake each.

This alteration may have been due to a letter from Diana, which came to light during the trial of former butler Paul Burrell on charges of theft from her apartment.

The trial fell apart when the late Queen Elizabeth remembered that Burrell had been granted permission to take certain items, excluding jewellery.

Diana penned to her executors: "I would like you to allocate all my jewellery to the share to be held by my sons, so that their wives may, in due course, have it or use it. I leave the exact division of the jewellery to your discretion."

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