Meghan Markle’s heartwarming tribute to Queen at funeral was hidden in incredibly simple gesture

Meghan Markle, the wife of Prince Harry, paid a very touching tribute at the late Queen's funeral in 2022 with a simple gesture.

Before Queen Elizabeth II's passing on 8 September, 2022, Meghan and Harry, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, announced that they were due to move to the US out of the royal family spotlight to raise their children in the sunshine.

Meghan being a woman of colour signalled a time of great hope and progression in the monarchy, but controversy followed and the two stepped back from their duties as senior royals in 2020.

Following a bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey, in which Meghan admitted that a senior royal had questioned what the skin colour of her unborn child would be, rumours swirled about who it had been and whether or not the two would remain close with other members of the family.

But Meghan's love and respect for the Queen was unquestionable at her funeral, which she attended along with her husband.

Meghan attended the state funeral at Westminster Abbey on 19 September, 2022, dressed in black and wearing a wide-brimmed hat.

But it was her accessory that held a beautiful meaning - her earrings.

Meghan wore pearl and diamond earrings, which were gifted to her by the Queen following her marriage in 2018.

Meghan Markle paid her respects to Queen Elizabeth II at her state funeral in 2022. (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

She was first seen wearing the earrings that same year in Cheshire, during her first and only solo engagement with the Queen.

Meghan wore them again a week before the funeral of the Queen as a sweet tribute as she was moved from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall in preparation for the lying-in-state period.

Meghan then wore them again at the funeral.

Following the Queen's passing, Meghan and Harry posted a statement to their website for their foundation Archewell which read: "In loving memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 1926-2022".

A few days later, Prince Harry posted a more thorough statement in which he reflected on the good times he had shared with the Queen, Meghan and his children.

Meghan attended the Queen's funeral with her husband, Prince Harry. (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

He wrote: "Granny, while this final parting brings us great sadness, I am forever grateful for all of our first meetings – from my earliest childhood memories with you, to meeting you for the first time as my Commander-in-Chief, to the first moment you met my darling wife and hugged your beloved great-grandchildren.

"I cherish these times shared with you, and the many other special moments in between," Prince Harry continued. "You are already sorely missed, not just by us, but by the world over. And as it comes to first meetings, we now honour my father in his new role as King Charles III.

"Thank you for your commitment to service. Thank you for your sound advice. Thank you for your infectious smile. We, too, smile knowing that you and grandpa are reunited now, and both together in peace."