As the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh embark on a royal visit to Malta to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the country’s independence, royal watchers are once again reminded of Meghan Markle’s unexpected ties to this Mediterranean gem.

The Duchess of Sussex’s past claims about her Maltese ancestry have come under renewed scrutiny, particularly in light of the current royal visit by Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie.

In her blog post, Meghan elaborated further: “When I was asked to go to Malta, to not only discover the beautiful island but also the land from which my great grandmother hailed, I said yes without hesitation.

It’s Malta, a beautiful jewel of an island, dotted in the Mediterranean between Sicily, Tunisia, and Libya.”

However, genealogical investigations conducted after the trip revealed a much less significant connection between Meghan’s family and Malta than she had originally suggested. It turns out that her great-great-grandmother, Mary Bird, had only lived in Malta briefly during the mid-19th century before relocating to Canada. This revelation calls into question the authenticity of Meghan’s portrayal of her trip as a personal pilgrimage to reconnect with her Maltese roots, raising doubts about the accuracy of her narrative.

Duchess Sophie, as always, embodied the elegance expected of royal engagements, donning a vibrant orange floral midi skirt paired with a chic white blouse. Her graceful presence, along with Prince Edward’s focused attention on the island’s heritage, reflects the authenticity of their visit, as they honor both Malta’s culture and the lasting relationship between the island and the British monarchy.

With the eyes of the world watching, Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie’s visit to Malta offers a poignant reminder of the lasting connections between the British royal family and the Mediterranean island — a reminder that stands in stark contrast to the fictionalized version of heritage that some royal figures have promoted. As questions about authenticity and heritage continue to circulate, the public remains captivated by the ongoing drama of royal life, eagerly awaiting the next chapter in the royal family’s complex and ever-evolving story.