The Duchess of Sussex made sure she sparkled during a visit to a local restaurant in Texas with Prince Harry. Meghan Markle’s blinged-up snapshots are below. 💎👇

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry showcased their support for small businesses in a remarkably stylish manner at LaBarbecue, Texas.

Meghan, known for her impeccable taste, opted for a chic ensemble consisting of a denim button-down shirt paired with matching jeans, elegantly topped off with a white blazer and flats. What turned heads, however, was not just her attire but the dazzling array of jewelry she sported, valued at an eye-catching $28,450 in total.

Meghan Markle, La Barbecue staff members, and Prince Harry as seen in an Instagram post dated March 9, 2024 | Source: Instagram.com/la_barbecue/

Meghan Markle, a La Barbecue staff member, and Prince Harry as seen in an Instagram post dated March 9, 2024 | Source: Instagram.com/la_barbecue/

On her wrist, Meghan wore the “Diamond Hex Tennis Bracelet” by Ariel Gordon. Priced at $5,500, the bracelet boasts over 1.5 carats of round brilliant cut diamonds set in solid gold hexagon-shaped links, with a total of 26 stones. Handmade in Los Angeles, its 14k yellow gold base radiates a timeless charm.

Ariel Gordon's Diamond Hex Bracelet, dated February 2024 | Source: Instagram/ArielGordonJewelry
Meghan Markle in Ariel Gordon's Diamond Hex Bracelet, dated February 2024 | Source: Instagram/ArielGordonJewelry

Meghan’s affinity for fine jewelry has lent a helping hand to burgeoning brands, such as Kimai, a London-based company specializing in ethically lab-grown diamonds.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex on September 5, 2022 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

Co-founders Sidney Neuhaus and Jessica Warch attributed their $1.2 million investment influx to Meghan’s endorsement. The Duchess was seen wearing Kimai’s 18k yellow gold Felicity crawler earrings during a visit to the Smart Works charity in 2019. The piece retailed for $845 per earring and had diamonds and pave stones.

Admittedly, the owners launched their brand without investments. They were also told that lab-grown stones were new in the industry and quite controversial. Still, they convinced Meghan to wear their pieces through cold emails after two months and successfully entered the market.

Meghan Markle visits Smart Works on January 10, 2019 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

Contrary to rumors, Warch confirmed that Meghan purchased the earrings directly, and did not get it for free. Warch expressed gratitude for the attention Meghan’s support brought to both their designs and the concept of lab-grown diamonds, marking a significant moment for the industry.

“I think for us as a young brand starting out, it’s very hard to get out there, and her wearing our designs really attracted people’s attention from a design perspective but also from a lab-grown diamond perspective,” Warch said. “It was the first time royalty was seen wearing lab-grown diamonds.”

Meghan’s taste for luxury extends beyond jewelry. At the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas, celebrating International Women’s Day, Meghan Markle made headlines not just for her insightful contributions to discussions on women’s representation in media but also for her attire.

Donning a sophisticated yet effortlessly chic pinstripe silk ensemble, she radiated a blend of business casual and luxury. The outfit, consisting of the “Husband Shirt in Striped Silk” and the “Lena Skirt in Striped Silk” from Giuliva Heritage, demonstrated exceptional craftsmanship.

Meghan Markle and Katie Couric at the "Breaking Barriers, Shaping Narratives: How Women Lead On and Off the Screen" panel during the 2024 SXSW Conference and Festival at Austin Convention Center on March 8, 2024 in Austin, Texas. | Source: Getty Images
Meghan Markle at the "Breaking Barriers, Shaping Narratives: How Women Lead On and Off the Screen" panel during the 2024 SXSW Conference and Festival at Austin Convention Center on March 8, 2024 in Austin, Texas. | Source: Getty Images

Meghan Markle at the "Breaking Barriers, Shaping Narratives: How Women Lead On and Off the Screen" panel during the 2024 SXSW Conference and Festival at Austin Convention Center on March 8, 2024 in Austin, Texas. | Source: Getty Images

However, her attire was met with mixed reactions from onlookers. Many criticized it for being wrinkled, while others adored the royal.

Meghan Markle at the "Breaking Barriers, Shaping Narratives: How Women Lead On and Off the Screen" panel during the 2024 SXSW Conference and Festival at Austin Convention Center on March 8, 2024 in Austin, Texas. | Source: Getty Images

Meghan Markle’s recent appearances emphasize her ability to blend style with substance, whether through her fashion choices or her advocacy for ethical brands. Her influence continues to shape trends and support causes close to her heart, making her a true icon of modern royalty.

The restaurant captured this memorable occasion with a series of photographs shared on social media, showcasing the Sussexes in various candid moments with the employees — from posing with a staff member to engaging in conversations inside the eatery and even capturing moments outside the establishment.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at a local farming family, the Woodleys, on October 17, 2018 in Dubbo, Australia. | Source: Getty Images

The caption accompanying these images expressed gratitude towards the royal couple: “Thank you so much Meghan and Harry for visiting us today!! It was so nice to meet you both 🔥 This page is a place for love and support, if you have something negative to say, take it somewhere else. ❤️”

Meghan Markle at the Invictus Games One Year To Go Winter Training Camp | Source: Getty Images

Despite the overwhelmingly positive atmosphere, reactions to Meghan’s attire — jeans paired with a relaxed-fit denim button-up top from Aritzia, complemented by an ivory blazer by Heidi Merrick made of raw silk and hemp — were mixed among fans online. Critics commented on her choice of outfit, with remarks such as, “Why is she dressed in a power suit from the 80s god she always looks so sloppy” and “She never irons her clothes, is there no iron where Megan lives.

This is not the first time Markle has been criticized for her attire. She was also critiqued for her SXSW appearance this month. While some fans ignored La Barbecue asking that no negativity be shared on their page, others shared love and positivity. Many jumped to Markle’s defense, highlighting the positive impact of the visit with comments like, “Ahh love Prince Harry & Meghan,” “Omg,” and “Lovely.

Prince Harry at the "Keynote: Breaking Barriers, Shaping Narratives: How Women Lead On and Off the Screen," during the SXSW 2024 Conference and Festivals on March 8, 2024, in Austin, Texas | Source: Getty Images
Prince Harry at the "Keynote: Breaking Barriers, Shaping Narratives: How Women Lead On and Off the Screen," during the SXSW 2024 Conference and Festivals on March 8, 2024, in Austin, Texas | Source: Getty Images

This outing is part of the Sussexes’ broader visit to Texas for The Archewell Foundation’s San Antonio Welcome Project, which aids in the resettlement of Afghan women by developing their sewing skills and fostering community. The Duke and Duchess actively participated in these sessions, witnessing the joy and creativity unleashed among the women. Their visit was crowned with the Duchess joining in to prepare bolani, a traditional Afghan flatbread, emphasizing the communal and nurturing spirit of their mission.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry as seen in an Instagram post dated January 10, 2020 | Source: Instagram.com/sussexroyal

Furthermore, the royal couple’s journey included a profoundly meaningful stop in Uvalde, Texas, to meet with the family of Irma Garcia, a victim of the tragic Robb Elementary School shooting. Irma Garcia’s dedication as a teacher for 23 years and her untimely death, followed by her husband Joe Garcia’s death from a heart attack, left a community in mourning and a nation in shock. The Sussexes’ visit, was described as “beautiful” and “compassionate” by Irma’s nephew, John Martinez.

Martinez shared that the family were excited at the fact that Meghan Markle would be visiting, saying: “It was kind of by surprise, she [Meghan] had called my mom one random day and dropped the news on us not too long ago that she was coming to visit the kids and of course we got so excited.”

The young man shared that when the couple visited the family, they talked with Irma and Joe’s children about their plans for the future. Before they left, they surprised Martinez’s mother with a cake to celebrate her birthday and sang “Happy Birthday” to her. This was the second time the family had met with Markle and Prince Harry.

Meghan Markle paying her respects to Uvalde, Texas shooting victims on May 26, 2022 | Source: Getty Images

Days after the shooting, Markle had visited the makeshift memorial at the county courthouse, where she placed flowers. A representative for Markle shared: “She took this trip in a personal capacity as a mother, to offer her condolences and support in person to a community experiencing unimaginable grief.”

Meghan Markle paying her respects to Uvalde, Texas shooting victims on May 26, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
Meghan Markle paying her respects to Uvalde, Texas shooting victims on May 26, 2022 | Source: Getty Images

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