Meghan Markle escalated her response to growing online accusations that she improperly retained a designer gown, issuing a sharply worded statement through her spokesperson dismissing the claims as "highly defamatory." The dispute, quickly labeled "Frockgate" on social media, has intensified into one of the most pointed public confrontations the Duchess of Sussex has launched since stepping back from royal duties, raising the possibility of legal action as her team warns of "serious harm" to her reputation.
The controversy erupted after viewers noticed that a green satin Galvan gown worn in the trailer for her With Love, Meghan holiday special appeared identical to a dress she wore during a 2022 Variety cover shoot. Tabloid speculation quickly suggested the duchess had failed to return the wardrobe piece, prompting accusations that she had "sticky fingers." The suggestion drew immediate pushback from her representatives, who spoke exclusively to RadarOnline to challenge the underlying claims.
Her spokesperson addressed the accusations directly, stating: "The insinuation that any items were taken without the full knowledge and agreement of the on-set stylists or their respective teams is not only categorically false, but also highly defamatory." The representative added further detail about garment management, emphasizing: "Any items kept were done so in total transparency and in accordance with contractual arrangements."
Legal analysts note that such precise language is rarely deployed by Markle's team unless litigation is being seriously considered. One expert commented on the significance of the phrasing, saying: "It is rare for Meghan to hit out at tabloid tales so publicly. To use language such as 'highly defamatory' shows she really has gone nuclear over this and is clearly raging at the insinuations in the story about the dress."
Sources close to the duchess say she is "seething" over suggestions that she acted dishonestly. They point out that retaining select pieces from photoshoots is "commonplace and prudent," particularly for public figures whose worn garments could otherwise be resold or auctioned for high sums by third parties seeking to capitalize on celebrity provenance. For Markle, insiders argue, the practice is protective rather than acquisitive.
The allegations resurfaced in part due to a March podcast episode titled Exclusive: Meghan Markle New Stealing Allegations, which repeated claims that she had not returned "a lot of stuff" after the 2022 Variety shoot. Journalist Vanessa Grigoriadis added momentum to the rumors during her appearance on Andrew Gold's Heretics podcast. "I have since heard, in a more recent photoshoot of Meghan's, there was also a lot of stuff that was not returned after Meghan wore it in a very high-profile photo shoot," she said, while also acknowledging that "sticky fingers at the end of a photoshoot is not unheard of. It does happen from time to time."
The discussion drew renewed attention to earlier claims in Tom Bower's 2022 book Revenge, which alleged that while filming Suits in Toronto, Markle failed to return designer Aquazzura heels provided for a Reitman's campaign. "To the surprise of the wardrobe staff, she forgot to leave behind the Aquazzura shoes," Bower wrote, noting the same pair appeared during Meghan and Harry's 2017 engagement announcement.
