Charles tells Meghan to skip showy tiara

PRINCE Charles told Meghan Markle not to wear a tiara to her first overseas state dinner, fearing it might look ‘extravagant’. The prince intervened over Meghan’s plans to wear a lavish headpiece to an event in Fiji in October. She had hoped to borrow a jewelled tiara from the Royal Collection for the event but was advised by her fatherin-law that such ostentation is avoided in places where it can be seen as reminiscent of a bygone era or ‘extravagant’. A source said: ‘Meghan did not understand all of this because she was new to the role and so Prince Charles told her that it would not be appropriate. It was very kindly done.’

The absence of a tiara drew attention when Meghan, wearing a blue full-length gown by Safiyaa, arrived for the dinner hosted by the president of Fiji Jioji Konrote – not least because Kate Middleton wore a headpiece once owned by Princess Diana to a state banquet at Buckingham Palace on the same night.

Meghan did, however, wear a pair of diamond earrings that are thought to have been borrowed, possibly from the Royal Collection, the world’s largest private collection of art.

Charles is believed to have taken a greater role in planning official foreign trips made by the royal family since the Queen gave up overseas tours in 2015. He will succeed his mother as the next head of the Commonwealth and aides say he is determined to show respect to each of its 53 member states.

The average monthly wage in Fiji is just €465 and it is thought the well-travelled prince considered the tiara would ‘not be in keeping with modern monarchy’.

Last night both Kensington Palace and Clarence House declined to comment.