Meghan Markle made headlines as she paid tribute to Princess Diana during her trip to Nigeria with Prince Harry, but doubts are now emerging about the legitimacy of the tribute.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex spent three days in the African country, where they met with key figures, attended charity events and delivered speeches on mental health awareness. They also met with military families in Abuja.

For the event, Meghan wore a necklace featuring a delicate diamond cross. It was reported the necklace once belonged to Diana and was gifted to Meghan by her husband. However, sources have now insisted the necklace never actually belonged to the late Princess of Wales.

Meghan Markle accessorised with a diamond necklace ( 
Image:
AFP via Getty Images)
Speaking to Page Six, a source said: “No, I didn’t recognise this at all. In fact, Diana was ever the professional and she generally avoided wearing religious motifs of any kind because they have the potential to offend people, so she would never usually wear such a thing.”

Another said: “Meghan likes to curate her jewellery to tell a certain story. I find it hard to believe that she’s been sitting on this necklace for five years.” Diana was only pictured wearing a cross twice in public.

The first time was in October 1987 as she borrowed the Attallah Cross for a charity gala in London. The necklace was then auctioned last year, with Kim Kardashian snapping up the piece for almost $200,000 (£157,000).

Princess Diana visited Nigeria in 1990 ( 

She inspired the Duchess of Sussex ( 
Image:
Anadolu via Getty Images)

Princess Diana wore a cross necklace for a second time while hugging HIV-positive children in San Paulo, Brazil, in April 1991. She later donated the cross and chain to a charity auction, but it was put in storage and later sold to a collector for an undisclosed sum.

Meghan did wear a second necklace which seemed to have been inspired by her mother-in-law during her trip to Nigeria. On the first day of the tour, Meghan was seen wearing a gold necklace which looked almost identical to the one Diana wore during her time in Nigeria more than 30 years ago. The late Princess of Wales visited Nigeria back in 1990 with the then Prince Charles.