By Jack RoystonShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberMeghan Markle's official spokesperson took aim at "categorically false but also highly defamatory" allegations that she took a dress home from a Variety photo shoot.
The Duchess of Sussex's team issued the rare on the record denial after stories circulated in the American media about the history of a dress Meghan wore in the trailer for her upcoming With Love, Meghan holiday special.
The satin green gown by Galvan—which some outlets have valued at $1,695—was first worn by Meghan for the shoot that accompanied a cover story she did in 2022.
...A spokesperson for Meghan said in a statement: "The insinuation that any items were taken without the full knowledge and agreement of the on-set stylists or their respective teams is not only categorically false, but also highly defamatory. Any items kept were done so in total transparency and in accordance with contractual arrangements."
Newsweek has been told retaining items from shoots is considered best practice as it prevents unauthorized auctions and resales that use the reputation of the royal family to bump up the price. The spokesperson suggested any clothes kept were done so with the "full knowledge and agreement of the on-set stylists or their respective teams." Working royals are required to pay a discounted rate for any clothes they keep and are not permitted to accept free handouts. Meghan is not a working royal.
Why It Matters
Meghan and Prince Harry are well known for suing British newspapers but it is exceptionally rare for them to fire warning shots across the bows of U.S. media organizations and for once this is a story that appears to have sprung up predominantly in America.
Meghan Markle's Variety Shoot Galvan Dress
Meghan wore the Galvan dress during the same Variety interview in which she paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II a month after Harry's grandmother died. "What’s so beautiful is to look at the legacy that his grandmother was able to leave on so many fronts," she said. "Certainly, in terms of female leadership, she is the most shining example of what that looks like. I feel deep gratitude to have been able to spend time with her and get to know her."
More recently though, Meghan wore it in the trailer and publicity image from her holiday special for her Netflix series With Love, Meghan, indicating she had brought it home with her.
Resurfaced Allegations About Meghan's Green Dress
That appears to have led News Nation to resurface an old interview from March 2024 in which the New York Times contributor Vanessa Grigoriadis told Andrew Gold’s Heretics podcast that Meghan did not return "a lot of stuff" from "a very high-profile photo shoot."
Meghan did another magazine interview and shoot with The Cut a few months before Variety, in August, 2022. The original source of Grigoriadis' account is not clear.
At the time, Grigoriadis said: "What’s shocking about hearing these kinds of alleged stories is that somebody who is living in a $15 million plus mansion in Montecito, who’s just had $100 million deals, would care enough to take home some jewelry and clothes from a photo shoot that she can clearly afford."
Grigoriadis said "we try not to call it stealing, that seems quite aggressive" and added: "Sticky fingers at the end of a photo shoot is not unheard of, right?"
NewsNation ran part of her account last week online with the headline: "Did Meghan steal the $1,700 dress she wore in her Netflix special?"
The story was by Paula Froelich, a former Newsweek culture and travel editor, who is now senior story producer and on-air talent for NewsNation as well as a columnist at U.K. outlet The Times.
The article alleged: "Unfortunately, after appearing in the video, Meghan was then accused of pilfering several items from an anonymous photo shoot… again."
Newsweek approached a NewsNation representative for comment via email outside of normal office hours.
The story caught on, with the New York Post and its Page Six gossip column running several follow-up articles, including an exclusive alleging Meghan "took $1,700 fashion-shoot dress for her ‘royal archive'."
The Sussex spokesperson then went on the record to shoot down the allegations on Tuesday, four days after the NewsNation piece.
What Happens Next
Newsweek understands that no legal letters have yet gone out, but may be sent early next week after Thanksgiving.
Do you have a question about King Charles III and Queen Camilla, Prince William and Princess Kate, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you.
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