Meghan Markle paid tribute to Princess Diana through her jewelry as she joined Prince Harry at the David Foster Foundation's 40th anniversary gala in Victoria, British Columbia, on August 7.
For the rare red-carpet appearance, the Duchess of Sussex wore Diana's diamond-and-sapphire butterfly earrings with a black one-shoulder gown by Canadian label Greta Constantine. Harry coordinated with his wife in a classic black tuxedo and bow tie.
The couple attended the celebration alongside music producer David Foster and his wife, singer and actress Katharine McPhee. Other guests and performers included Adam Levine, Josh Groban and CeeLo Green.
Meghan Markle Wears Chic Asymmetrical Gown With Meaningful Earrings https://t.co/FLHflqeJE4
— ELLE Magazine (US) (@ELLEmagazine) August 9, 2026
Meghan Markle Styles Princess Diana's Earrings With a Black Gown
Meghan's Greta Constantine gown featured an asymmetrical neckline, a fitted column silhouette and a long panel of fabric cascading from one shoulder.
She completed the look with swept-back hair, understated makeup, a slim gold bracelet and a delicate ring. The restrained styling kept the attention on her historic earrings.
The butterfly-shaped jewels feature diamonds and blue sapphires. Diana wore the earrings during a 1986 visit to Canada with then-Prince Charles, giving Meghan's decision to wear them in Victoria an additional connection to the country.
Meghan first publicly wore the earrings in Sydney during her 2018 royal tour of Australia, shortly after she and Harry announced that they were expecting their first child. She brought them out again during the couple's 2024 visit to Colombia.
The earrings are among several pieces from Diana's collection that Meghan has incorporated into her wardrobe. She has also worn the late princess's aquamarine cocktail ring and diamond tennis bracelet. Meghan's engagement ring contains two diamonds from Diana's personal jewelry collection.
A Sentimental Choice for the Canadian Appearance
The earrings added personal meaning to an otherwise minimalist evening look. Rather than introducing color through the gown, Meghan allowed the sapphires to provide a subtle contrast against the black fabric.
The choice was especially fitting for an appearance in Canada, a country with longstanding significance for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Meghan lived in Toronto while filming "Suits," and she and Harry made their first official public appearance as a couple at the 2017 Invictus Games in the city. The couple later spent time on Vancouver Island before announcing in January 2020 that they intended to step back as senior working members of the British royal family.
David Foster helped arrange a private residence for the Sussexes during their stay on Vancouver Island in 2019.
Meghan and McPhee also share an earlier connection. Both attended Immaculate Heart High School in Los Angeles and participated in musical theater. They later reconnected as adults, and the Sussexes developed a friendship with McPhee and Foster.
The Gala Supported Families Facing Pediatric Transplants
The event marked 40 years of fundraising by the David Foster Foundation, which provides financial assistance to Canadian families whose children are undergoing life-saving organ transplants.
The foundation helps families manage non-medical expenses during treatment, including travel, temporary accommodation and other costs that may arise when parents must leave work to care for a child.
The anniversary gala raised $14.5 million for the organization's work, according to reports. The celebration continued on August 8 with a free concert at Victoria's Inner Harbour.
Meghan and Harry posed for photographs with Foster and McPhee during the gala. The Duchess later shared a candid selfie with Harry and footage of the couple greeting performers and other guests.
The social media post also offered a look at details from the event, including a chocolate piano dessert. Meghan captioned the post simply with a Canadian flag and a red heart.
Although her Greta Constantine gown delivered a polished red-carpet moment, the sentimental jewelry carried the look's strongest significance. By returning Diana's butterfly earrings to Canada 40 years after the princess wore them there, Meghan connected a contemporary gala appearance to a recognizable moment in royal fashion history.
