Meghan Markle sparks debate as she wears Princess Diana's cross necklace 'inverted' during Nigeria trip

ABUJA, NIGERIA: Meghan Markle may have honored her late mother-in-law as she graced a dainty cross necklace that once belonged to Princess Diana during the Sussexes’ recent visit to Nigeria.

People reported that Prince Harry - who recently impressed netizens by donning Nigerian traditional attire - gifted the exquisite jewelry, featuring a diamond cross pendant in a delicate gold chain, to his wife.

Meghan wore the necklace during a reception ceremony for military families in Abuja on Saturday, May 11.

Meghan styled the sentimental piece of jewelry that once belonged to Princess Diana with a St Agni white strapless column linen dress and upswept hair.

The ceremony took place at the Defense Headquarters Officers Mess, where they received a warm welcome.

Meghan’s Nigerian heritage was also celebrated at the event as Abike Dabiri Erewa, chairman of the Nigerian Diaspora, said during her speech, "Princess Meghan is a Nigerian!"

Erewa continued to celebrate the Duchess of Sussex’s Nigerian ancestry, saying she was "excited but not surprised" when Meghan revealed her Nigerian roots as “she is beautiful, intelligent, diligent and hardworking and she stands firm in the midst of challenges."

The chairperson continued, "Prince Harry, you married the best — our daughter, our friend, Princess Meghan," before adding, "I hope you come back again, again and again."

Internet reacts to Meghan Markle's new accessory

Meghan's choice to don te necklace sparked debate among the netizens. While a section of social media users pointed out there are very few pics of the same necklace worn by Princess Diana, others claimed the necklace was not owned by the late royal. 

Some also pointed out that the cross is inverted, with one of the netizens saying, "Why is it upside down?"

Someone else, however, praised the Sussexes, saying, "This has been such an amazing overwhelming and so heartwarming trip! I can’t imagine how #HarryandMeghan are feeling! What a weekend… I won’t be forgetting this one #HarryandMeghaninNigeria."

Another fan added, "I appreciate how Harry gave Meghan such meaning pieces of his mother’s jewelry. That’s a lovely and not over the top homage to #PrincessDiana."

"That’s just beautiful. Two of his favourite girls," said someone else. 

Another user commented, "I couldn't find one picture of Princess Diana wearing that necklace. And if that was the case a side-by-side should have been shown, but it wasn't."

Someone else chimed in, "The cross on MM's Cross necklace appears to be inverted! And that?"

A social media user blasted, "If it is (which I doubt), it has been altered so it can be worn this way. Almost blastamy IMO."

"Kind of odd this is the first time she’s seen wearing the necklace. Where’s it been for the past five years?" someone else added. 

"It burns me Meghan can wear anything that was owned by Diana. She no princess," said someone else.

A fan supported Meghan, saying, "For all the people melting down and calling this a lie, maybe the necklace was a personal gift or a family cross. You don’t know every single item Diana owned."

"Lives no kind of Christian life that I can see," commented another.

"Steal Diana's legacy because she hasn't the stuff to be popular herself," added another troll.

"Well it’s not this cross necklace. I’m sure Diana had a lot of crosses to bear," said someone else.

Meghan Markle often pays homage to Princess Diana by wearing her belongings

This is, however, not the first time that the ‘Suits’ actress has paid homage to her mother-in-law.

She is often seen wearing the former Princess of Wales’ Cartier watch to various events. She is also in possession of Diana’s butterfly earrings and an aquamarine ring.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.