- In a pre-taped video message played at Global Citizen's "Vax Live: The Concert To Reunite The World," broadcast on Saturday night, Meghan Markle wore a Cartier watch similar to one beloved by her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana.
- The Cartier Tank Française watch was one of Diana's favorite pieces and she wore it frequently to royal engagements in the '90s.
- Long before joining the royal family, Meghan was a fan of the Cartier Tank and bought one for herself during her time on Suits. She has said she plans to pass her own watch down to her daughter someday.
Update, 5/9, 10 p.m. ET: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that Meghan Markle was wearing the specific watch that had belonged to Princess Diana. We regret this error.
In a pre-taped video message that played during the broadcast of Global Citizen's Vax Live: The Concert To Reunite The World Saturday night, Meghan Markle delivered a brief speech about the long-term impact the pandemic will have on women, and especially women of color. In the video, Meghan discussed her unborn daughter, who will be part of a generation of women affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Eagle-eyed fans noted that her choice of watch seemed to pay tribute to an important woman from the generation that came before her own: Prince Harry's late mother, Princess Diana.
Royal fans quickly noticed that Meghan seemed to be wearing a gold Cartier Tank watch in the short video. Diana was frequently photographed wearing her own Cartier Tank at royal engagements in the '90s; it was reportedly a gift from her father, the 8th Earl Spencer.
Of course, it's worth noting that Meghan was a fan of the timeless Cartier watch long before she joined the royal family. The former actress bought herself a Cartier Tank watch during her time on Suits and has said she plans to pass it down to her own daughter someday.
"I've always coveted the Cartier French Tank watch," she told Hello Magazine in 2015. "I had it engraved on the back, 'To M.M. From M.M.' and I plan to give it to my daughter one day. That's what makes pieces special, the connection you have to them."
When Diana died in 1997, Prince William reportedly selected Diana's own Cartier Tank watch from his mother's collection, while Harry chose to keep her iconic sapphire engagement ring. While William cherished the watch for years, he is said to have asked Harry to trade him the watch for the engagement ring in 2009 when he was planning his proposal to Kate Middleton, according to Vanity Fair.
In October 2020, Meghan was photographed wearing her iconic Cartier timepiece in portraits she and Harry sat for when they were selected for the TIME 100.
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
A post shared by People Magazine (@people)
A photo posted by on
RELATED STORIES
Kayleigh Roberts is a freelance writer and editor with more than 10 years of professional experience. Her byline has appeared in Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, The Atlantic, Allure, Entertainment Weekly, MTV, Bustle, Refinery29, Girls’ Life Magazine, Just Jared, and Tiger Beat, among other publications. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
-
Lily Allen Resented Elton John for Years, But There Are No Hard Feelings Now
This is too funny.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Hilary Duff Welcomes 3rd Child With Husband Matthew Koma
Townes is her fourth child overall.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Upgrade Your Vacation Wardrobe With Summer Staples From Shopbop and Nordstrom Rack
Next stop: The airport.
By Julia Marzovilla Published
-
Prince Harry’s Spokesperson Confirms That King Charles Is Too Busy To See His Son While Harry Is In the U.K. This Week
“It, unfortunately, will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full program.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Matty Healy's Mom Passionately Defends Meghan Markle and 'Spare'
Go, Denise!
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Meghan Markle Said She and Prince Harry “Couldn’t Decide” Between Two Names for Prince Archie
The couple’s firstborn child and only son turns five years old today, and almost had a totally different moniker.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Meghan Markle Made History As She Married Prince Harry Six Years Ago This Month
The stunning bride wore Givenchy for her May 19, 2018 wedding—and did something no royal bride before her had ever done.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Prince William Is "A Bit Envious" of Prince Harry's Lifestyle, Sources Claim
The Duke of Sussex has more freedoms.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
The Jury Is Out on Whether Prince Harry and King Charles Will Connect When Harry Is In the U.K. Next Week
Sources say the King’s “busy” schedule may get in the way.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
There’s A Poignant Reason Why Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Upcoming Visit to Nigeria Will Be Especially Meaningful to Them
The couple will travel there next month, following a stop for Harry in the U.K. to mark the Invictus Games’ 10-year anniversary on May 8.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Chrissy Teigen Went Instagram-Official With Meghan Markle's Jam
A GRID post, y'all.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published