A History Of Meghan Markle’s Engagement Ring (& All Its Tranformations)
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3 days ago
Meghan Markle is know for her polished, yet casual, personal style – qualities that she carries over to her engagement ring. And over the years, the former royal has aligned her style evolution with her jewellery choices, resulting in some pretty impressive ring transformations.
When Harry and Meghan first announced their engagement back in 2017, the world fell in love their royal love story – and, let’s face it, the engagement ring. In the years since, the couple has made a few tweaks and changes (although rest assured, it’s still stunning). Below, we trace the history of the Meghan Markle’s engagement ring from early beginnings to present day.
How Many Times Has She Updated Her Ring?
It’s thought that Meghan Markle has updated, tweaked and added to her engagement ring at least three times since 2017. And these redesigns typically coincide with major events and changes in her life. ‘These changes in Meghan’s ring are a beautiful reflection of her personal growth and evolving style,’ notes Neil Dutta, Managing Director of engagement ring specialists Angelic Diamonds. ‘From the classic royal engagement ring to the modern, personalised piece it is today, each transformation tells a chapter of Meghan and Harry’s story.
‘It’s a testament to the idea that our most precious jewellery can evolve with us, reflecting our changing styles, experiences, and the new facets of our lives.’
A History Of Meghan Markle’s Engagement Ring
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2017: The Original Design
The story begins in 2017, when Prince Harry proposed to then-actress Meghan Markle in the north garden of Kensington Palace. Announcing the news in late November, the public got its first glimpse at the royal engagement ring: a 3-carat cushion-cut diamond set on a yellow gold band.
‘The original 2017 design featured a central diamond from Botswana, a place close to the couple’s hearts, flanked by two diamonds from Princess Diana’s collection,’ adds Dutta. ‘The cushion-cut diamond, known for its pillow-like shape and rounded corners, offered a perfect blend of vintage charm and timeless elegance – and beautifully encapsulated the fairy-tale nature of their royal romance.’
As mentioned, the ring was also filled with sentimental value. ‘Set on a yellow gold band – Meghan’s favourite at the time – this initial design was valued at around £120,000 ($150,000). The use of Diana’s diamonds was a touching way to include Harry’s late mother in their journey, while the Botswana centre stone represented the couple’s shared love for Africa.’
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2019: The Lorraine Schwartz Redesign
A few years later, the first major transformation of Meghan Markle’s engagement ring was revealed. A celebration of the couple’s first wedding anniversary, and the birth of their son Archie, the underwent a redesign by celebrity jeweller Lorraine Schwartz.
‘This first redesign marked a significant transformation,’ notes Dutta. ‘The biggest change was that the yellow gold band was replaced with a delicate micro-pavé diamond band, adding extra sparkle and a more contemporary feel to the ring.
‘This change coincided with the couple’s first wedding anniversary and the birth of their son, Archie,’ he adds. ‘To commemorate these milestones, an eternity ring was added to Meghan’s stack, featuring the birthstones of Meghan (peridot), Harry (emerald), and Archie (sapphire) on the underside. This thoughtful update, estimated at £260,000 ($320,000), beautifully blended personal symbolism with high-end craftsmanship. The addition of the pavé diamonds could be seen as representing the many facets of their new life together, while the hidden birthstones speak to the private, family-focused side of their relationship.’
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2022: Additional Diamonds
While not as big as the 2019 redesign, Meghan Markle’s engagement ring underwent a few more changes in 2022.
As Dutta explains, ‘additional diamonds were added to the central stone setting, debuting at the Invictus Games in The Hague. The additional diamonds serve to amplify the ring’s overall brilliance, drawing more attention to the centre stone. And this enhancement likely boosted the ring’s value to approximately £250,000 ($310,000).
The unveiling of the new ring at the Invictus Games also holds ‘special significance for the couple’, says Dutta. ‘It’s where they made their first public appearance together in 2017. The ring’s upgrade at this event seems to celebrate their journey together and their shared commitment to causes close to their hearts.’
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2025: Emerald-Cut Centre Stone
Today, Meghan Markle ushers in a new chapter – as well as a new engagement ring. Glimpsed in the trailer for her upcoming Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, and in a later video uploaded to Markle’s Instagram announcing the rebrand of American Riviera Orchard to As Ever, the ring is yet another big step away from the original ring.
‘The trailer for With Love, Meghan showcases what appears to be an emerald-cut centre stone,’ says Dutta. ‘This is a significant departure from the original cushion-cut diamond, reflecting a more contemporary aesthetic. What’s particularly interesting is how this change symbolises Meghan’s transformation from royal life to her current role undertaking a myriad of projects. The emerald cut is often associated with confidence and clarity – qualities Meghan may feel she has grown into since leaving the royal family.
‘Emerald-cut diamonds are known for their elegant, step-cut facets and elongated shape,’ he continues. ‘The new cut offers a sleeker, more modern look that aligns beautifully with Meghan’s evolving style and public persona – could potentially increase the ring’s value to around £300,000 ($370,000).’
Featured image: Netflix
