Meghan Markle Wears $35,000 in Jewelry to Visit Women's Homeless Shelter in Australia

Meghan Markle made a bold fashion statement on the first day of her royal tour of Australia, pairing a $26,000 Cartier watch with a Dior ensemble as she visited a women's homeless shelter in Sydney.

The Duchess of Sussex, who joined Prince Harry for the official visit, wore jewelry totaling nearly $35,000 while serving food and meeting with vulnerable women at the shelter. The outfit sparked immediate debate online, with critics questioning the appropriateness of wearing such expensive accessories to an event focused on poverty and homelessness.

The Cartier Ballon Bleu watch, valued at approximately $26,000, was complemented by additional jewelry pieces that brought the total estimated value of her accessories close to the $35,000 mark. Her outfit was completed with a tailored Dior look, a brand synonymous with high fashion and luxury.

Supporters of the Duchess were quick to defend her appearance, arguing that her choice to personally engage with homeless women and draw global attention to the issue was what mattered most. Many pointed out that royal figures routinely wear expensive clothing and jewelry during public engagements.

Critics, however, argued that the stark contrast between Markle's accessories and the circumstances of the women she was visiting sent an unfortunate message. The visit to the shelter was intended to highlight issues of women's homelessness and domestic violence in Australia.

The appearance came on the first day of a 16-day royal tour of Australia, New Zealand, Tonga, and Fiji — the first major overseas tour for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex since their marriage earlier in 2018. The couple used the tour to champion causes close to their hearts, including mental health, gender equality, and environmental conservation.