Meghan Markle Steps Out in Santa Barbara amid Royal Book Controversy Wearing Bracelet from King Charles

Meghan Markle steps out wearing a special accessory.

The Duchess of Sussex, 42, was spotted on Monday in Santa Barbara, near where she lives with Prince Harry and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. She was casually dressed in sneakers and a baseball cap with her hair tied back, wearing a diamond tennis bracelet reportedly given to her by her father-in-law, King Charles.

Meghan debuted the bracelet when she arrived at Cliveden House Hotel the night before her royal wedding to Prince Harry in May 2018, prompting speculation that it was a wedding gift from then-Prince Charles to his new daughter-in-law, whom he walked down the aisle during the wedding.

Meghan Markle is dating in Santa Barbara on December 4, 2023.

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A UK politician is defending two senior royals appointed amid the royal book controversy

She also wore the accessory just days after the wedding for her first royal engagement alongside Charles and Queen Camilla (then known as the Duchess of Cornwall). The bracelet made another appearance during Meghan and Harry’s first major royal tour in the fall of 2018 during a stop in Fiji.

Meghan and Prince Harry (39) have not released a comment since the publication of Omid Scobie’s book Game over. The book made headlines after a Dutch translation of the text allegedly identified King Charles and Kate Middleton as the two royals who allegedly made remarks about how dark Meghan and Harry’s child would be.

Meghan Markle wears a bracelet given to her by Charles on May 18, 2018. Steve Parsons – Pool/Getty

According to times in the UK, the Dutch version of the book reportedly included a claim that Charles, 75, was one of the participants in the conversation. Another, vague reference suggests that Kate, 41, was also involved in the talks.

IN Game overScobie writes of private written correspondence between Charles and Meghan addressing the Duchess of Sussex’s concerns about unconscious racial bias in the royal family following Meghan and Harry’s interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021. During the conversation with Oprah, they stated that there were “concerns and conversations about how dark [Archie’s] skin could be when it’s born.” When Oprah asked who made the comment, Meghan declined to answer, saying the revelation would be too damaging. While the English version Game over does not go so far as to name the individuals who were allegedly involved in these conversations, the Dutch version allegedly does.

Meghan Markle wears a bracelet presented by King Charles on May 22, 2018.

Chris Jackson/Getty

The names of Charles and Kate first came to the public after Game overrelease in the Netherlands last week, which the publishers and Scobie described as a “mistake”. It is not clear if the Dutch translation was incorrect or if the translation was based on an earlier draft.

Buckingham Palace said Thursday that aides were “considering all options” regarding the claims (hinting that legal action could be forthcoming), but made no further comment. Kensington Palace, where Princess Kate has her office, declined to comment.

A source close to the Sussexes told PEOPLE that suggestions Meghan or her team gave the letter to Scobie are completely false.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry at the Invictus Games on September 15, 2023.

Chris Jackson/Getty

Amidst the controversy, members of the royal family continued their planned outings.

Princess Kate and Prince William ignored questions from reporters about the book when they stepped out to attend the Royal Variety Performance on November 30.

As seen in a video shot by PEOPLE’s Simon Perry at the event, reporters shouted, “Your Royal Highness, do you have any comment on Omid Scobie’s book?” and “Did you watch Piers Morgan’s show, Your Royal Highness last night?”, referring to the last episode Piers Morgan uncensoredwhere this topic was discussed.

King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William and Princess Kate stepped out together on Tuesday night to host the annual diplomatic reception at Buckingham Palace. The foursome posed for a group photo ahead of the event at the 1844 Room, with Kate and Camilla glowing in tiaras for the white-tie event.

Queen Camilla, King Charles, Prince William and Kate Middleton on December 5, 2023.

Chris Jackson/Getty

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Despite the ongoing rift between Harry and his brother William, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have remained in touch with King Charles – and reached out to the monarch to wish him a happy birthday when he turned 75 last month.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with the royal family in March 2020.

Phil Harris / POOL / AFP / Getty

“There is a reluctant acceptance with Harry that it is his father. He would rather have it in his life than cut it off completely. Therefore, when they talk, it is often [Harry] reaching out,” Scobie tells PEOPLE. “I was surprised to learn that even Meghan is corresponding with Charles, sending photos of the kids, even though they’re not directly to him. So there is a will.”

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Source: HIS Education