Meghan Markle’s engagement ring is not just a symbol of her relationship with Prince Harry. It’s become an evolving emblem of her personal style, milestones, and transformations since their engagement in 2017. Here’s a look at the ring’s journey and the major updates she has made to it over the years.
The Original Ring:
When Prince Harry proposed in late 2017, he designed the engagement ring featuring a cushion-cut diamond from Botswana. It’s flanked by two round diamonds from Princess Diana’s personal collection. The three-stone design was set on a classic yellow gold band, which Meghan said was her favorite metal. The ring was deeply sentimental, tying both Harry’s connection to Botswana and his late mother, Diana, into the couple’s new story.
The three-stone engagement ring style is especially meaningful because the three diamonds are often associated with the past, present, and future of a relationship. Diamond Hedge also features three-stone designs alongside solitaire and halo settings.
First Major Update: The Pavé Band (2019):
In 2019, royal watchers noticed a key update. Meghan swapped the original plain yellow gold band for a more delicate, micro pavé band encrusted with tiny diamonds. This elegant change was reportedly engineered with the help of jeweler Lorraine Schwartz, at Harry’s request. Much of this was done either to resize the ring post-pregnancy or to modernize the look as her style evolved. This revision was first noticed at Trooping the Colour and Archie’s debut.
A pavé setting adds additional sparkle by placing small diamonds closely along the band. For shoppers interested in similar designs, Diamond Hedge offers micropavé and split-shank pavé engagement rings in its engagement ring collection.
Second Major Update: Additional Diamonds (2025):
By 2025, Meghan made another subtle yet striking enhancement by adding additional diamonds surrounding the center stone, which increased the ring’s brilliance and value. The update coincided with her appearance at the Invictus Games, a significant venue where she and Harry had their first public outing as a couple years earlier. Experts said this addition was both an upgrade and a symbolic gesture, further personalizing the ring.
A setting that surrounds a center diamond with additional stones is commonly associated with a halo engagement ring design. Halo settings can make the center diamond appear larger while adding extra brilliance around it.
Also, some fans spotted Meghan wearing what appeared to be an emerald-cut center diamond in her Netflix show, ‘With Love, Meghan’ and in Instagram posts. At this time, however, Meghan herself has not officially confirmed whether this is indeed a new diamond or a clever re-setting of the original stone.
The shape and proportions of a center diamond can significantly influence the overall appearance of an engagement ring. Buyers can explore different diamond shapes and evaluate their diamond cut when comparing stones.
Other Noteworthy Details:
- Meghan’s changing styles and ring updates have led to fluctuations in the ring’s value. Now estimated at between $250,000 and $300,000 after all enhancements.
- The stacking order of her ring set (engagement ring, wedding band, and eternity ring) also varies, adding a modern and personal twist to tradition.
- The piece remains, by far, her most expensive jewelry item, featuring invaluable diamonds from Princess Diana’s collection.
When evaluating the value and quality of any diamond, factors such as carat, color, clarity, and cut all play an important role. These four factors are commonly known as the 4Cs of diamonds.
The Significance of Change:
Experts and jewelry aficionados have observed that each modification reflects not just fashion trends or practical adjustments, but Meghan’s evolution as a public figure, wife, mother, and entrepreneur. As jeweler M. Sompura put it, “As we evolve, we want our jewelry to reflect our changing style and views on life.”
From the original, sentimental design to its latest sparkling chapter, Meghan’s engagement ring evolves as she does. Each phase telling a unique story about royalty, love, and self-expression.
For readers interested in other famous engagement rings, Diamond Hedge also features a guide to celebrity engagement rings, including iconic designs worn by celebrities and members of royal families.
If Meghan’s ring has inspired you to explore different designs, you can also read about popular engagement ring styles, including solitaire, halo, three-stone, vintage, and modern designs.
One of the most renowned and trusted online sources to buy quality diamond engagement ring is Diamond Hedge. Diamond Hedge is an Augmented Reality diamond search engine that allows consumers to try on diamond rings on their hands from anywhere in the world. Consumers can compare natural and lab-grown diamonds from leading diamond companies and evaluate options based on important factors such as carat, cut, color, clarity, and price.
Diamond Hedge provides high-quality loose diamonds and diamond engagement rings at competitive prices. Before choosing a diamond, buyers can also learn how to read a GIA diamond certificate and understand the grading information associated with their stone.
Whether you prefer a classic three-stone design like Meghan Markle’s original ring, a sparkling pavé band, a halo setting, or a simple solitaire, understanding the diamond’s quality and comparing different engagement ring options can help you find a design that reflects your own story.
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