Online forums are buzzing after unverified chatter surfaced about a private exchange between Meghan Markle and Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos at a closed-door event.

The dress in question, an emerald green gown by Galvin USA valued at approximately $1,700, was worn by Markle during a photoshoot for Variety in 2022. However, this seemingly innocent scenario has now morphed into a debacle, with sources indicating that Markle took the dress without the proper permissions. The firestorm began when an article in the New York Post claimed Markle had made off with the dress, initially using the word “stolen.”

Although the publication later softened its tone in response to a flurry of pushback from Markle’s team, the damage was done. The spotlight is now on Markle not just for the alleged theft but the reasoning behind her actions—making for a striking narrative that illustrates the stark divide between the Duchess’s high-profile image and the insinuations of entitlement that continue to haunt her.

Sources speaking on the condition of anonymity have noted that Markle expressed irritation during her time as a working royal about being unable to keep clothes granted for public appearances, a privilege often extended to celebrities in Hollywood. This backdrop of frustration seems to have contributed to her recent decision to retain the dress, with her camp arguing that it was meant to prevent the item from being illicitly sold on dubious resale platforms. Nevertheless, fashion insiders have derided this justification, arguing that it lacks precedent and credibility, with many questioning the absurdity of the claim.

In a statement that has left many in disbelief, the royalist reported that Markle’s spokesperson declared the insinuation that any items were taken without full knowledge and agreement is “categorically false.” Yet, in the same breath, they inadvertently confirmed that Markle did indeed take the dress by emphasizing transparency in her actions. This contradiction has only fueled a growing narrative about Markle’s questionable ethics regarding high-priced designer items, as more reports begin to surface alleging that she has taken dresses and jewelry from past photoshoots—a stark contrast to the accountability expected from members of the British royal family.

Amidst this chaos, Markle appears to be doubling down, issuing threats of legal action against the New York Post for defamation. Yet the core issue remains: this incident, representative of a string of controversies surrounding the Duchess, begs the question of how she intends to navigate the public relations quagmire enveloping her. Critics have pointed out that a simple solution to the uproar surrounding the dress could have been an unequivocal assertion that she “paid for it,” illustrating a commitment to ethics that has become increasingly questioned in the wake of such events.

In a broader context, this incident not only highlights Markle’s fraught relationship with the royal family but also offers a glimpse into a life that continually struggles with image and authenticity. Many are drawing attention to her previous claims, citing that such antics play into the narrative of entitlement and privilege that have long followed her. Comparisons to her other celebrity counterparts abound, as skeptics wonder how someone who has amassed considerable financial resources could find themselves in such a ridiculous predicament.

This situation is further complicated by Markle’s most recent attempt to gain public sympathy—a holiday special with Netflix that is rife with its own controversies. Recent comments from Markle about needing the dress to “preserve it” for “sentimental reasons” ring hollow against a backdrop of economic privilege, as the Duchess embraces the glamorous life of a star while simultaneously contending with the fallout of her choices. With highly publicized kitchen misadventures and ham-fisted attempts at being relatable, including a turkey preparation that drew ridicule for its lackluster execution, it seems Markle’s connection to the public is increasingly tenuous.

With her reputation hanging by a thread, the Duchess now faces perhaps one of her greatest tests yet. As social media erupts with commentary, and with royal watchers keenly observing, the stakes couldn’t be higher. What happens next could either further entrench her in the narrative of scandal or force her to pivot, to redefine her image in light of criticism that has only grown louder and more severe. This is truly a crisis of identity, reputation, and power—one that appears to be spiraling out of control for the Duchess of Sussex.

As Meghan Markle navigates this latest scandal, the question looms large: will she be able to reclaim her narrative or will this just be another chapter in what seems like an escalating saga of missteps and misunderstandings? Only time will tell, but suffice it to say, the world is watching.