Meghan Markle’s representatives have robustly countered recent allegations that she misappropriated high-end clothing from magazine photoshoots, describing the claims as “false and highly defamatory.”

The Duchess of Sussex, aged 44, has categorically denied these allegations, which suggested she discreetly kept a green $1,700 (£1,300) Galvan dress that she donned for a Variety magazine feature in 2022.

In an official statement to the Daily Mail, she clarified, “Any items retained were done so with full transparency and in line with contractual agreements.”

Beyond the emerald, one-shoulder ‘Ushuaia’ dress from the British designer, the statement also addressed a $7,900 (£6,000) Chanel outfit from a 2022 shoot with The Cut.

Observant followers noted that the mother of two sported the monochrome, strapless Chanel creation during a recent outing in New York City with Prince Harry.

An insider later revealed Meghan’s desire to keep the pieces she modeled to prevent them from being resold, while also pointing out that it is typical for Royal Family members to maintain a collection of memorable ensembles.

It’s unclear how many or which particular pieces Meghan has been gifted from her shoots, in addition to the Chanel and Galvan gowns.

But across the four magazine spreads she’s done since Megxit in 2021, she’s posed in clothing and jewellery worth a whopping $257,507 (£194,000) for The Cut, Variety, TIME, and, most recently, Harper’s Bazaar.

In fact, her latest feature was also the most expensive. Fashion experts estimate Meghan donned clothes and jewellery worth $210,732 (£159,000) for the Harper’s Bazaar shoot alone.

Representatives for Meghan Markle this week hit out at ‘false and highly defamatory’ accusations about her behaviour on magazine cover shoots since quitting the royal family

The Duchess of Sussex , 44, firmly denied any wrongdoing in response to spurious claims she had quietly taken expensive outfits from the sets of magazine photo shoots – including the now-famous green $1,700 (£1,300) Galvan dress

Harper’s Bazaar, Dec 25/Jan 26

Meghan, who appeared barefaced on the cover, modelled a Dior jacket from newly appointed creative director Jonathan Anderson’s debut collection for the couture house. 

While prices are typically available on request, it is estimated to cost $4,631 (£3,500) – and that’s only the tip of the sartorial iceberg. 

Other designer pieces specifically chosen for the shoot include a $10,000 (£7,650) Chanel dress from the latest Spring/Summer’26 collection, a Ferragamo satin gown worth $3,800 (£2,900), and a striking red Balenciaga caped dress thought to retail for $4,000 (£3,050). 

In a look that divided readers, Meghan was dressed in The Row from head-to-toe, including a $4,291 (£3,240) coat, $1700 (£1,300) pencil skirt, a $4,410 (£3,330) white shirt and a black turtleneck estimated to be worth $2,079 (£1,570).  

If Meghan’s hair and makeup looks were simple and pared-back, her jewellery selection was certainly over-the-top. 

Meghan was wearing a twin ring from Parisian designer Suzanne Belperron, worth an astonishing $91,000 (£69,000). 

In one photograph of Meghan sitting cross-legged in a more relaxed pose, her Celine shirt and trousers have been styled with £4,685 ($6,200) HOWL earrings, a $9,800 (£7,400) David Webb bracelet as well as two Sidney Garber bracelets worth over $13,000 (£10,000). 

In total, her eight looks comprised clothing, jewellery, and shoes worth £159,165 or $210,732. 

The Cut, August 2022

For The Cut’s cover shoot, Meghan modelled pieces worth over $29,018 (£20,000) – including Chanel’s tweed Fantasy dress that she repurposed for date night with Prince Harry this October. 

Fashion experts estimated Meghan donned clothes and jewellery worth $210,732 (£159,000) for the Harper’s Bazaar shoot alone

Another image from the magazine’s profile on the Duchess showed her perched on a wooden chair in a garden, under a floral archway of bright pink bougainvillaea, as she showed off her toned arms in a black Bottega Veneta dress.  

The styling team paired the $3,900 (£2,900) ‘Sweetheart Midi’ with a single-strand pearl necklace from London-based jeweller Mikimoto that cost $3,120 (£2,400) and diamond hoop earrings worth $3,750 (£2,800). 

For the cover, ‘Meghan of Montecito’ donned a gorgeous, monochrome tulle dress designed by Tory Burch that retails for around £1,283 ($1,698). It was styled with striking green earrings believed to be from Lanvin, worth $890 (£670). 

Two pairs of Manolo Blahnik pumps, an ivory Proenza Schouler suit set, and diamond-studded hoops in 14kt cold from Mateo’s atelier meant the total cost of her Cut ‘closet’ was just shy of $30,000 (£22,600). 

Variety, October 2022

When Variety profiled Meghan in October the same year, the Duchess was described as ‘a nerdy American mom’ even as Meghan looked as far away from the world of school pickups and messy mealtimes as possible.

Images accompanying the cover story, which touched on everything from her husband’s love of US fast food to her grief over the Queen’s death, were ultra-glamorous. 

The California-based royal adopted a variety of model-esque poses for the shoot at her and Harry’s Montecito home, wearing a series of gowns by major fashion houses. 

In one image, the mother-of-two looked runway-ready as she posed in Carolina Herrera’s elegant navy and silver Cascading Strapless Midi Dress worth $3,000 (£2,300).

Meghan on the cover of Variety in August 2022

She was radiant in the Galvin’s Ushuaia satin gown that Meghan has since repurposed for her forthcoming ‘holiday-themed’ edition of her cooking show, With Love, Meghan. 

But for the cover image, Meghan was dressed in a more understated, all-black look from Giorgio Armani that allowed the gaze to settle on the dramatic single hoop necklace from Jennifer Fisher ($350 or £265). 

Another image saw the 41-year-old former actress wearing a Max Mara jumpsuit ($425 or £321), teamed with bracelets by Jennifer Fisher Jewellery and a ring by designer Khiry. 

The Duchess looked in relaxed mode as she wore a billowing tie-dye white and pink dress by Jason Wu, as she was photographed laying down. 

It’s thought the taffeta cocktail dress retails at around $5,200 (£3,900). She finished the look with heels by Giuseppe Zanotti, although she appears barefoot in images.  

Meghan has long been a fan of Jason Wu’s couture, wearing a forest green dress by the designer on a tour of Australia with Prince Harry in 2018.

The total cost of Meghan’s Variety wardrobe comes in at just over $13,000 (£9,800). 

TIME, September 2021 

By contrast, celebrity stylists, Nina Hallworth and her sister Clare Hallworth, were careful not to let Meghan’s wardrobe overpower her credentials as TIME’s Most Influential when she appeared on the magazine’s cover with Prince Harry in 2021. 

For The Cut’s cover shoot, Meghan modelled pieces worth over $29,018 (£20,000) – including Chanel’s tweed Fantasy dress that she repurposed for date night with Prince Harry this October

Celebrity stylists, Nina Hallworth and her sister Clare Hallworth, were careful not to let Meghan’s wardrobe overpower her credentials as TIME’s Most Influential when she appeared on the magazine’s cover with Prince Harry in 2021

Nina and Clare, whose A-list clients include Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston, dressed Meghan in an ivory shirt and matching wide-leg trousers from Giorgio Armani for the cover image.  

The yang to Prince Harry’s yin, Meghan’s ensemble cost approximately $2,000 (£1,500). 

For her second look, the Duchess donned what is believed to be a pair of woollen wide-leg Victoria Beckham trousers and a green turtleneck that together also cost just over $2,000 (£1,500). 

Since she quit the Royal Family, Meghan has carefully curated her media appearances – from quasi royal tours and podcasts to magazine covers. 

Each of these has, therefore, become an important cultural landmark for the Duchess’s fans, who discover new details about the Sussexes’ life in Montecito since the schism dubbed ‘Megxit’.  

The Cut broke the news that Meghan was mulling a social media comeback, Variety revealed new details about how Queen Elizabeth’s death impacted the couple and TIME celebrated the Sussexes’ advocacy efforts. 

And if Meghan has held onto pieces from these shoots, it would appear they are equally significant to the Duchess. 

(With inputs from Eliza Scarborough)