Now Reading: Why Meghan Markle is Accused of theft and not returning a designer dress ?
-
01
Why Meghan Markle is Accused of theft and not returning a designer dress ?
Why Meghan Markle is Accused of theft and not returning a designer dress ?
The $1,695 Dress Scandal: Why Meghan Markle is Accused of Taking Designer Items from a High-Profile Photoshoot
A new controversy is engulfing Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, as reports circulate alleging she may have taken—or, as some sources boldly suggest, “stolen”—a designer dress following a high-profile magazine photo session. The accusation surfaced after the Duchess appeared in a promotional video for her upcoming Netflix special, wearing an emerald green gown that viewers recognized from a previous shoot, prompting a closer look at the garment’s history.
The Infamous Emerald Gown
The garment at the center of the scandal is a striking $1,695 one-shouldered designer dress. Specifically, it is the emerald green “Ushuaia” dress by Galvan.
The Duchess recently sported this exact dress in a new clip promoting her upcoming Netflix holiday special, titled “With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration,” which is scheduled to premiere on December 3. This appearance quickly caught the attention of spectators who were already familiar with the story of the infamous frock.
Markle originally donned the dress back in 2022 when she was photographed for and graced the cover of Variety magazine.
Journalist Reveals the Allegation
The accusation that Meghan Markle failed to return items from the Variety session was publicly disclosed in 2024 by journalist Vanessa Grigoriadis on Andrew Gold’s “Heretics” podcast.
Grigoriadis, who is a contributing writer for The New York Times magazine and Vanity Fair, claimed on the podcast that the Duchess allegedly did not return “a lot of stuff” after she “wore it in a very high-profile photo shoot”. The items supposedly not returned included clothing and jewelry used during the Variety shoot.
The Irony of the Accusation
What many found most shocking about these alleged stories was the seeming contradiction between the accusations and the Duchess’s immense wealth. Grigoriadis pointed out the extreme irony that someone who resides in a Mansion in Montecito valued at more than $15 million and has recently secured major $100 million deals would “care enough to take home some jewelry and clothes from a photoshoot that she clearly can afford”.
Following the reports, Markle has reportedly been given the unflattering nickname “Duchess Sticky Fingers”.
When media outlets reached out for comment regarding the alleged theft, Markle’s representative did not respond. Sources noted that this lack of denial—rather than the typical immediate rebuttal expected from someone falsely accused of theft—only served to further fuel the speculation.
A Pattern of Alleged Arrogance and Stumbling Projects
The dress controversy adds to ongoing criticisms that suggest the public image the Duke and Duchess of Sussex project is “FAKE”. Critics claim their “castle of cards is falling”.
Reports also suggest that Meghan Markle has been demonstrating “ridiculously comical levels of arrogance” in her public appearances. This was notably highlighted during her feature for the Winter 2025 covers of Harper’s Bazaar US.
During the Harper’s Bazaar photo shoot, she reportedly acted like “the queen”. The writer who interviewed her shared a specific instance of this behavior: upon entering the room, the house administrator announced, “Meghan, Duchess of Sussex,” despite the fact that they appeared to be the only two other people in the house. This behavior suggested she clings tightly to her Duchess title and potentially “makes a tantrum” if not announced with it, even though she has simultaneously spoken negatively about the royalty.
Markle is often reported as having an “enlarged vision of herself,” viewing herself primarily as a humanitarian, a founder, and a struggling feminist. Yet, sources suggest that her career “moment,” which Harper’s Bazaar referenced, is actually one where she is becoming a “figure of the past of Hollywood,” characterized by projects that are deemed “overrated and disappointing”.
Since stepping away from the royal family (“drying up the royal vein”), she has had to rely on her own creative ideas, even returning to acting (playing herself). However, these projects have faced significant challenges:
- Lifestyle Brand ‘As Ever’: This brand reportedly sells products such as powdered flowers, sweet jam, and scented candles without wicks.
- Netflix Series ‘Love, Meghan’: This program, filmed in a rented mansion where Markle makes lavender towels and speaks about “joy,” has been described as a “devastating festival of boredom.” The show failed to reach the Top 300 most-viewed titles on the streaming service.
- Podcasts: Both her first podcast series on Spotify and her second podcast quickly disappeared after short runs.
Furthermore, there are reports alleging that Meghan has copied Princess Diana’s every move, including her poses, outfits, photographs, laughter, hand movements, and acting—a pattern some have labeled as “Super Creepy”.
In a reflection on her public life, when the Harper’s Bazaar writer asked Markle what she had learned from her mistakes, she replied: “You learn not to repeat it. If everything goes well, you don’t learn from it,” a statement that was perceived as dismissive by some critics.
Ultimately, the confluence of project failures, allegations of arrogance, and the latest controversy involving a supposedly unreturned designer dress suggests that Meghan Markle is currently facing intense public and media scrutiny regarding her reputation and integrity. This ongoing drama has led some observers to suggest she may soon be better known for public scandals—like taking photos with the Kardashians at Kris Jenner’s birthday party (photos that were quickly deleted)—than for her professional achievements.
Analogy to solidify understanding: The controversy surrounding the designer dress, jewelry, and other unreturned items is like a billionaire who drives a Ferrari but occasionally shoplifts bubblegum—it’s not about the value of the item, but the implication of an intentional breach of trust or entitlement despite immense wealth.
