Something I still think about is how Queen Elizabeth II’s dresser Angela Kelly set up a particularly egregious smear on the Duchess of Sussex over a pair of earrings. In March 2018, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visited England, had a meeting with then-Prince Charles and Prince William, and apparently dropped off a pair of diamond earrings for Meghan as a wedding gift. Months later, Meghan was “given” the earrings to wear during the South Pacific tour. Who gave her the earrings? Angela Kelly, because Kelly was then the keeper of the Royal Collection jewels. The earrings never belonged to Meghan, and she only wore them twice. A few years later, “royal sources” insisted that Meghan had knowingly worn and lied about a pair of earrings given to her by MBS, and that she made a point of wearing them just weeks after MBS ordered the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. As I said, I think about that particular smear too much.
Well, funny story, I guess. Well, not funny for Jamal Khashoggi’s family. Prince William is going to visit Saudi Arabia in February. Do you think he’ll bring home a pair of blood-soaked earrings for Kitty?
The Prince of Wales will visit Saudi Arabia next month at the request of the UK Government. Prince William’s visit would come as the countries “celebrate growing trade, energy and investment ties”, Kensington Palace said. The trip is due to be between Feb 9 and 11 will be the Prince’s first official visit to the country.
The UK Government has previously raised concerns over Saudi Arabia’s human rights record and in 2020 sanctioned 20 Saudi nationals involved in the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. When Sir Keir Starmer first met Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi crown prince, in 2024, he was accused of putting efforts to spur economic growth above human rights concerns.
Saudi Arabia has also faced accusations of “sportswashing” – investing in sporting events such as the football World Cup, which it will host in 2034, to distract from alleged wrongdoing and present a favourable image.
Sir Keir’s Government has strengthened ties with the Saudis, including recent visits by the Chancellor and the Foreign Secretary.
Prince William’s tour to the country will be his first official overseas visit of 2026 and his first to the Middle East since his 2023 trip to Kuwait to pay his condolences following the death of Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah, its former ruling emir.
As much as the royalists point to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s Middle Eastern associations, the truth is that King Charles and Queen Elizabeth II were both very tight with the Saudis and the Emirate leaders/royals. This is William playing catch-up – when Charles was his age, Charles was already knee-deep in relationships within the Saudi ruling class. I assume the Saudis will know what to do with William – after all, the Saudi royals have lazy, moronic princelings in their ranks too. Anyway, it sure is nice that William is going on a big-boy business trip to Saudi Arabia. I wonder if he’ll give back the diamond earrings which are apparently soaked in Khashoggi’s blood. Oh, what’s that? The royalists only cared about Khashoggi’s murder when it came to setting up Meghan?
Photos courtesy of Instar, Avalon Red.
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- North America Rights Only – Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates -20220210- The Duke of Cambridge talks to Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office, during his visit to Abu Dhabi’s wetlands at the Jubail Mangrove Park to learn more about the UAE’s efforts to protect the regional flora and fauna from human and environmental challenges, particularly as the country’s urban centres continue to grow and develop, as part of his tour of the United Arab Emirates. -PICTURED: Prince William and Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan -PHOTO by: Ian Vogler/Daily Mirror/PA Images/INSTARimages.com Disclaimer: This is an editorial, rights-managed image. Please contact INSTAR Images for licensing fee and rights information at sales@instarimages.com or call +1 212 414 0207. This image may not be published in any way that is, or might be deemed to be, defamatory, libelous, pornographic, or obscene. Please consult our sales department for any clarification needed prior to publication and use. INSTAR Images reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this material. If you are in violation of our intellectual property rights or copyright you may be liable for damages, loss of income, any profits you derive from the unauthorized use of this material and, where appropriate, the cost of collection and/or any statutory damages awarded For images containing underage children: Be advised that some Countries may have restricted privacy laws against publishing images of underage children. Inform yourself! Underage children may need to be removed or have their face pixelated before publishing
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- North America Rights Only – Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates -20220210- The Duke of Cambridge talks to Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office, during his visit to Abu Dhabi’s wetlands at the Jubail Mangrove Park to learn more about the UAE’s efforts to protect the regional flora and fauna from human and environmental challenges, particularly as the country’s urban centres continue to grow and develop, as part of his tour of the United Arab Emirates. -PICTURED: Prince William and Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan -PHOTO by: Ian Vogler/Daily Mirror/PA Images/INSTARimages.com Disclaimer: This is an editorial, rights-managed image. Please contact INSTAR Images for licensing fee and rights information at sales@instarimages.com or call +1 212 414 0207. This image may not be published in any way that is, or might be deemed to be, defamatory, libelous, pornographic, or obscene. Please consult our sales department for any clarification needed prior to publication and use. INSTAR Images reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this material. If you are in violation of our intellectual property rights or copyright you may be liable for damages, loss of income, any profits you derive from the unauthorized use of this material and, where appropriate, the cost of collection and/or any statutory damages awarded For images containing underage children: Be advised that some Countries may have restricted privacy laws against publishing images of underage children. Inform yourself! Underage children may need to be removed or have their face pixelated before publishing
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- North America Rights Only – Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates -20220210- The Duke of Cambridge talks to Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office, during his visit to Abu Dhabi’s wetlands at the Jubail Mangrove Park to learn more about the UAE’s efforts to protect the regional flora and fauna from human and environmental challenges, particularly as the country’s urban centres continue to grow and develop, as part of his tour of the United Arab Emirates. -PICTURED: Prince William and Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan -PHOTO by: Ian Vogler/Daily Mirror/PA Images/INSTARimages.com Disclaimer: This is an editorial, rights-managed image. Please contact INSTAR Images for licensing fee and rights information at sales@instarimages.com or call +1 212 414 0207. This image may not be published in any way that is, or might be deemed to be, defamatory, libelous, pornographic, or obscene. Please consult our sales department for any clarification needed prior to publication and use. INSTAR Images reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this material. If you are in violation of our intellectual property rights or copyright you may be liable for damages, loss of income, any profits you derive from the unauthorized use of this material and, where appropriate, the cost of collection and/or any statutory damages awarded For images containing underage children: Be advised that some Countries may have restricted privacy laws against publishing images of underage children. Inform yourself! Underage children may need to be removed or have their face pixelated before publishing
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- The Prince of Wales with Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the Duke of Cambridge before they had dinner at Clarence House, London.,Image: 534954019, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR SEVEN DAYS – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Avalon.red – sales@avalon.red London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles: +1 (310) 822 0419 Berlin: +49 (0) 30 76 212 251 Madrid: +34 91 533 4289, Model Release: no, Credit line: – / Avalon
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- The Prince of Wales with Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the Duke of Cambridge before they had dinner at Clarence House, London.,Image: 534954046, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR SEVEN DAYS – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Avalon.red – sales@avalon.red London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles: +1 (310) 822 0419 Berlin: +49 (0) 30 76 212 251 Madrid: +34 91 533 4289, Model Release: no, Credit line: – / Avalon
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- The Prince of Wales with Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the Duke of Cambridge before they had dinner at Clarence House, London.,Image: 534954132, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR SEVEN DAYS – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Avalon.red – sales@avalon.red London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles: +1 (310) 822 0419 Berlin: +49 (0) 30 76 212 251 Madrid: +34 91 533 4289, Model Release: no, Credit line: – / Avalon
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- Britain’s William, Prince of Wales takes part in curling as they meet with the Team GB and Paralympics GB Curling teams ahead of the Winter Olympic Games at the National Curling Academy in Stirling, Scotland, Britain, January 20, 2026.,Image: 1067661729, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Russell Cheyne/Avalon
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- 20/01/2026. Scotland . The Prince and Princess of Wales visit The Gothenburg Pub in Fallin, near Stirling, to shine a spotlight on unique Scottish heritage traditions and how they are continuing to connect communities and inspire new generations.,Image: 1067746568, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: © Kensington Palace. This image may only be used for news or editorial reporting purposes. This image must NOT be used for any commercial or other use, save for news or editorial reporting and cannot be altered or amended in any manner or form whatsoever., Model Release: no, Credit line: Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace/Avalon
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- 20/01/2026. Scotland . The Prince and Princess of Wales visit The Gothenburg Pub in Fallin, near Stirling, to shine a spotlight on unique Scottish heritage traditions and how they are continuing to connect communities and inspire new generations.,Image: 1067747322, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: © Kensington Palace. This image may only be used for news or editorial reporting purposes. This image must NOT be used for any commercial or other use, save for news or editorial reporting and cannot be altered or amended in any manner or form whatsoever., Model Release: no, Credit line: Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace/Avalon
He does not want keen with him on those trips. Maybe they use the school run excuse
Let’s hope the British powers that be insist on W wearing a tie and doing up his jackets whilst there. Things, quite rightly, are very formal in the Gulf and W needs to have their etiquette knocked into him so he doesn’t offend.
Maybe that’s why the wife is staying home, the foreign office doesn’t want to chance her flashing SA officials on tarmacs, getting out of the car, etc. It seems like it would be a much bigger deal there and we all know she wouldn’t be able to help herself.
Yes and one wonders *why* Keen isn’t going. Is it possible Wills will be having, ahem, massages and a wife would spoil the fun?
Maybe he will bring back blood soaked bags of cash!! Seems like a lot of shady characters want to visit Saudi Arabia and yes Peg is shady.
My first thought as well. Time for him to set up his own bags of laundered cash deliveries, under the guise of “donations”, just like dear ol’ Pa.
Yeah my first thought was half his luggage would be empty, then on the return trip home they’ll be full of cash. Oh to be Royal
They love those dictators, don’t they? Yep, he’s securing his bag. They now have to support Andrew and Fergie.
The timing of this announcement was very curious. Either they were trying to hide it amongst all the stories that were coming out yesterday or they were attempting to show up Harry – William the global statesman vs Harry demeaning himself by testifying in court against the media.
Harry is the only one with the courage to fight the gutter press.
So the Commonwealth still doesn’t matter, it seems. Agree that whatever this is, it’s to compete with Harry.
Why would he limit himself to jar a pair of earrings? I see suites of jewels for Kate and Charlotte, gold swords and who knows what for the boys.
i feel like half of Camilla’s “personal jewelry” is from saudi arabia so it fits that William wants some for kate too (or someone else.)
the earring smear for Meghan was always just so dumb and short sighted. First – when the earrings were accepted AND when Meghan wore them it wasn’t known yet that MBS was behind the murder of Khashoggi (was it even known yet that he was murdered, or was he still “missing”?) But of course its not like that brutal murder was the first time the SA regime has engaged in….well, bad behavior, and that’s never stopped the royal family from cozying up to them.
There’s a point when its about personal gain for the royals and not about diplomacy and I think this trip is a clear example of that.
anyway second re: the earrings – do they really want people digging into the background of every piece of jewelry owned by royals? Do they really want to open that pandora’s box?
and yes its interesting that Kate isn’t going. Wonder who decided that.
Most of Diana’s most famous pieces are Saudi origin as well–the sapphire earrings that Kate wears a lot are from a Saudi sapphire suite that includes earrings, necklace, watch, bracelet. If the jewels aren’t Saudi, they are Omani, Qatari, Russian, or Indian Raj. Or African blood diamonds. Very little of the royal collection passes the smell test. Such a stupid slander. It needs to backfire in a big way and render most of the collection unwearable. As Indiana Jones would say, the whole jewel collection belongs in a museum!
It was all Camilla’s Middle Eastern jewelry which led to scrutiny in 2007. Then the royals started publishing lists of official gifts, which they haven’t done since 2020.
Who else clocked the “first official visit” line and thinks that “official” may be doing some heavy lifting?
Isn’t alcohol forbidden in that country?
Best to bring his own supply considering he loves the pub!
That’s why the visit is only 3 days. He’ll be back in his home pub before the DTs set in.
Don’t worry, they recently started allowing one store to sell alcohol to non-Muslim diplomats and expats on an exclusive high earners visa.
But I am sure even before that the elite must certainly have had supplies of all the illicit things you can imagine.
Only forbidden for commoners.
I knew a guy who had some fancy corporate job over there and he lived in some expat/diplomatic compound and he said they used to make their own alcohol but this was many years ago.
Sure. But Meghan’s earrings. They were disgusting for that.
William strikes me as someone who will be quite comfortable in Saudi Arabia
Absolutely he will be treated like a literal King so he will get all the things especially and guaranteed it will be under cloak and dagger.
It’s not just QEII and Charles – the UK has supported the House of Saud since the 1860’s, before Saudi Arabia was a country.
Has Jason Knauf replaced Kate as his official plus one on foreign tours from now on?
😁
Let’s hope he takes his Aldi carrier bags for filling up.
Aldi carrier bags are for amateurs. He will take a big IKEA tote.
Yep, gotta get those bags of cash. That’s one royal duty he’s willing to do.
William and MBS should get along famously. They’re both from ruthless families.