Meghan Markle’s Unusually Understated Appearance In Brussels Comes Under Fire As Carole Malone Singles Out Her Missing Jewellery And Sombre Expression — Claiming The Duchess’s Carefully Chosen Look Was Intended To Send A Message
Meghan Markle has found herself at the centre of fresh controversy following her first public appearance since the arrest of her estranged father, Thomas Markle.
The Duchess of Sussex accompanied Prince Harry to Brussels on Tuesday, November 10, for the opening of the Lost Screen Memorial at the European Parliament, honouring children who have lost their lives following online harm.
However, royal commentator Carole Malone has questioned Meghan’s appearance at the event, suggesting that her understated outfit and sombre expression were deliberately chosen to convey an image of emotional distress.
Carole Malone Questions Meghan’s Sombre Appearance
Speaking on the Daily Express’s Royals Unscripted podcast, Malone shared her controversial interpretation of Meghan’s behaviour during the engagement.
“God forgive me, but there’s a part of me that thinks there was a lot of acting going on here,” she said.
The commentator suggested that Meghan appeared particularly conscious of her facial expressions while being photographed alongside Prince Harry.
Malone also drew attention to the Duchess’s noticeably understated wardrobe, which consisted of dark clothing and minimal jewellery.
Rather than wearing her usual combination of rings and accessories, Meghan appeared to have opted for a simple wedding band and a bracelet.
For Malone, the change in appearance was particularly significant.
The Missing Jewellery That Caught Her Attention
The commentator specifically highlighted the absence of Meghan’s usual wedding ring stack, noting that
she appeared to be wearing only her slender Welsh gold wedding band.
“She’d pared the whole look down. And that tells me that the way she looked was important for the cameras,” Malone claimed.
“She wants to look like a broken woman, I suspect.”
The remarks represent Malone’s personal interpretation rather than established evidence of Meghan’s intentions.
The understated clothing was also consistent with the solemn nature of the memorial, which brought together families affected by devastating experiences involving online harm.
Meghan Withdrew From Her Planned Speech
The Brussels engagement marked Meghan’s first public appearance since her father’s arrest became public.
She had originally been expected to deliver a speech alongside Prince Harry but reportedly withdrew because she did not feel emotionally strong enough to address the audience.
Harry instead delivered the address alone, emphasising the importance of protecting children from online dangers.
Meghan remained at the event, supporting her husband and attending the memorial.
The Duchess has previously expressed deep distress over the allegations involving her father, from whom she has been estranged since 2018.
Questions Surround A Reported Letter From Years Earlier
Malone also revisited reports that Meghan received troubling information about her father several years before his arrest.
The commentator questioned whether Meghan had contacted law enforcement authorities or confronted Thomas about the allegations.
However, the available information does not establish what private conversations Meghan may have had with authorities or what advice she received at the time.
Her previous awareness of allegations does not establish that she knew them to be true.
Thomas Markle Remains In Custody
Thomas Markle, 82, was reportedly arrested by the FBI in Florida on November 6 and charged with one count of possessing child sexual abuse material following searches of two storage units in Los Angeles.
He has denied the allegations.
After initially being released under strict conditions, including electronic monitoring and home detention, Thomas was taken back into custody on November 10 after prosecutors alleged that he had removed his ankle monitor.
A judge subsequently revoked his release and ordered that he remain in custody while the criminal proceedings continue.
The allegations against him remain unproven in court.
Meanwhile, Meghan’s Brussels appearance continues to generate discussion, with Malone’s comments placing particular attention on the Duchess’s clothing, jewellery and public demeanour.
Whether her understated appearance reflected personal distress or simply respect for the solemn occasion remains unknown, despite the commentator’s claims about the message behind her wardrobe choices.