Meghan's fancy £5k present for Princess Lilibet she bought years before birth

27 October 2023 , 06:00

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Meghan's fancy £5k present for Princess Lilibet she bought years before birth

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle appeared to complete their family over two years ago when they welcomed their daughter Princess Lilibet.

The youngster's arrival saw her join older brother Prince Archie as a part of the Sussex family with the two children being brought up in the sunny climes of California. No doubt for birthdays and Christmas, Lilibet has been treated to some thoughtful presents as well as some fun toys to play with.

But when she gets older, she stands to be given an incredible gift by mum Meghan, which she bought for her years before she was born - and even before she met husband Harry. Many years ago, after the Duchess of Sussex landed the role of Rachel Zane on the hit legal drama Suits, she decided to treat herself.

Meghan Markle with daughter Princess Lilibet as well as Prince Harry with son Prince Archie (alexilubomirski/Instagram)

Lilibet on her first birthday last year (PA)

After the series got the go-ahead for a third season, Meghan splashed out on a fancy £5,000 Cartier Tank Francaise watch - and had a powerful message engraved on the back to remind her of her achievements. During an interview with Hello! magazine back in 2015 she explained why the watch means so much to her. She said: "I've always coveted the Cartier French Tank watch. When I found out Suits had been picked up for our third season – which, at the time, felt like such a milestone – I totally splurged and bought the two-tone version."

She had the back engraved with the message 'To M.M. From M.M'. She went on: "I plan to give it to my daughter one day. That’s what makes pieces special, the connection you have to them."

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However, it is not the only special watch that Meghan has in her jewellery collection - she also has Princess Diana's Cartier Tank Française watch she regularly wore for engagements in the 1990s. The watch was gifted to the late princess by her father on her 21st birthday, and after it was passed to Harry, it is believed to have been given to Meghan in the early days of their relationship. She also wears the watch regularly and sported it while reading her children's book The Bench in an appearance on YouTube and in a beautiful picture taken of her and Harry for Time magazine in 2020.

Meghan wears Diana's Cartier watch during a YouTube appearance (Brightly Storytime)

Other pieces that once belonged to Diana that Meghan has worn include a stunning Emerald cut aquamarine ring, surrounded by small solitaire diamonds and set in 24-carat yellow gold, on her right hand at her evening reception. Diana had been previously pictured wearing the item, which was created by Asprey in 1997, the same year she died following a Paris car crash.

Meanwhile, Meghan has also sported Diana's Cartier tennis bracelet several times, which is thought to be worth £17,000 and wore a pair of her butterfly earrings while on a trip to Sydney in 2018.

Jennifer Newton