Meghan Markle’s Engagement Ring: A Closer Look

Meghan Markle’s Engagement Ring: A Closer Look

When Prince Harry proposed to Meghan Markle in November 2017, the engagement ring he presented featured carefully selected stones with significant personal history.

The center stone is sourced from Botswana, a country with personal significance for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Princess Diana previously owned the two smaller diamonds flanking the center stone.

Since the engagement, the ring has received attention from jewelers, designers, and those interested in royal fashion and bridal trends. Its design and origins have been widely discussed in the media.

Prince Harry chose a three-stone design featuring a Botswana center diamond and two stones from Princess Diana’s collection, blending personal history with timeless symbolism.

The Original Design

Prince Harry worked with Cleave & Company to create the ring. The London-based jeweler is known for crafting military medals and items of state regalia, and they have served the royal family for years. This was a custom commission, built from the ground up according to Harry’s specifications.

The center stone is a cushion-cut diamond weighing approximately 3 carats. Harry sourced it from Botswana, which holds personal meaning for him. He first visited the country as a teenager, and he and Meghan spent time there early in their relationship. Choosing a stone from that specific location made the ring more than a beautiful object.

• Flanking the center diamond are two round brilliant stones from Princess Diana’s personal collection. Including these stones created a connection to his mother during the engagement.
• The original band was yellow gold, which Meghan preferred. While white gold and platinum were popular choices in the early 2000s, Prince Harry chose yellow gold at Meghan’s request.
• The original ring weighed approximately 3.8 carats. Initial estimates from jewelry experts placed its value at around £120,000.

Originally crafted by Cleave & Company, the custom ring features a 3-carat cushion-cut diamond from Botswana, flanked by two round stones from Princess Diana’s personal collection. 

The Three-Stone Setting and Its Meaning

The trilogy design is also known as a three-stone ring. The largest stone is set in the center, with two smaller stones on each side.

This type of setting has been around for generations, but halo designs have somewhat overshadowed it in the years leading up to Harry and Meghan’s engagement. The halo setting, which surrounds a center stone with a ring of smaller diamonds, had dominated bridal jewelry for much of the 2010s.

The appearance of a three-stone ring on a well-known public figure renewed attention on this style, and jewelers noted increased interest in trilogy settings.

The three-stone setting, often called a trilogy ring, features a larger center diamond flanked by two smaller stones, traditionally symbolizing a couple’s past, present, and future.

The Cushion Cut

The shape of the center diamond also caught attention. Cushion cuts feature rounded corners and prominent facets, creating a softer sparkle than sharper cuts like the princess or the precise angles of a round brilliant.

Cushion-cut diamonds were popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries before round brilliants became the dominant choice. The cut was less common by the time of Harry and Meghan’s engagement, but its selection highlighted its classic look.

• Cushion cuts have larger facets, producing broader flashes of light than round brilliants. The rounded corners contribute to the stone’s classic appearance.
• Jewelers reported increased interest in cushion-cut diamonds following the engagement announcement.

The cushion-cut center stone adds softness and depth, with rounded corners and larger facets that create broader flashes of light than a round brilliant.

Changes to the Ring in 2019

In 2019, the ring reappeared on Meghan’s finger with a new look. Prince Harry had commissioned celebrity jeweler Lorraine Schwartz to redesign the band.

The plain yellow gold band was replaced with a thinner micropavé band set with small diamonds, adding approximately 0.75 carats to the ring’s weight. The updated band introduced a more contemporary style.

The updated ring made its first public appearance at Trooping the Colour in June 2019, shortly after the birth of their son Archie.

At the same time, Harry gave Meghan an eternity band set with birthstones representing each family member: peridot for Meghan, emerald for Archie, and sapphire for Harry. The stones were set on the underside of the band.

Some observers commented on the decision to alter the original design, given that it included stones from Princess Diana’s collection. Modifying engagement rings is standard, especially for pieces worn daily. The original band may have become uncomfortable during pregnancy due to changes in finger size.

In 2019, Meghan’s ring was updated with a thinner micropavé band by Lorraine Schwartz, adding subtle sparkle and a more contemporary feel.

Further Modifications in 2022

Additional diamonds appeared on the ring by 2022. The new stones were added to the setting around the center diamond, increasing the overall sparkle and drawing more attention to the cushion cut.

This version of the ring appeared at the Invictus Games in The Hague. Jewelry experts estimated the value of the enhanced ring at approximately £250,000.

Further additions to the ring reflected a personal approach to jewelry, as some choose to adapt their pieces over time, while others prefer to keep them unchanged.

By 2022, additional diamonds were added around the center stone, enhancing the cushion cut’s brilliance and giving the ring a more luminous presence.

Current Estimated Value

Valuing a ring like this is complex. Experts may account for modifications differently, and the sentimental value of the Diana diamonds is not quantifiable.

After all the changes, estimates now range between $250,000 and $300,000. Maxwell Stone of Steven Stone, a jeweler who has publicly commented on the ring, has estimated it at £120,000, though this may refer to the original design before modifications.

The Botswana diamond and the stones from Princess Diana’s collection contribute to the ring’s unique provenance, which affects its valuation alongside the stones’ quality.

Current estimates place the ring’s value between $250,000 and $300,000, though figures vary depending on whether experts are assessing the original design or the updated version.

The Wedding Band

Meghan’s wedding band came from Cleave & Company as well. It was crafted from Welsh gold, following a royal tradition that began in 1923. The gold was a gift from Queen Elizabeth II.

Welsh gold has been used for royal wedding bands for generations. The yellow gold band was designed to complement the engagement ring.

Meghan’s wedding band was crafted by Cleave & Company from rare Welsh gold, continuing a royal tradition that dates back to 1923.

Repairs and Absences

The ring has occasionally been missing from photographs, leading to speculation each time. In 2023, Meghan was seen without it at several events, including the Invictus Games in Düsseldorf. Sources confirmed that the ring was being repaired due to a loose stone.

This kind of maintenance is expected for rings worn frequently. The micropavé setting is especially delicate, with small diamonds held in place by tiny prongs. Daily wear puts stress on these settings, and regular check-ups help prevent stones from falling out.

Given the significance of the stones from Princess Diana’s collection, repairs are considered essential to preserve the ring’s integrity.

Meghan’s ring has occasionally been absent from public appearances, most notably in 2023 when it was confirmed to be undergoing repair for a loose stone.

Recent Speculation in 2025

Some jewelry experts have observed a different appearance in the center stone in recent photographs. It is unclear whether this is due to a new modification or differences in lighting and photography.

The ring continues to attract public interest and media attention, even years after the engagement.

In 2025, fresh speculation emerged after some observers noted the center stone appeared slightly different in recent photos. 

What Couples Can Take Away From This Ring

Several elements of Meghan’s ring can be used in engagement rings at various price points.

• The first is sourcing stones with personal significance. Harry selected a diamond from a location important to the couple. Some choose stones from meaningful places or use heirloom diamonds from family pieces.
• The second is the three-stone setting, which is versatile and works with a range of stone shapes and sizes.
• The third is the cushion cut, a vintage-inspired shape that works well as a center stone and pairs with round side stones.
• The fourth is yellow gold, offering a classic look and pairing well with a range of engagement ring designs.

A Ring That Keeps Growing

Stephen Connelly, director of Cleave & Company, told The Associated Press that the jeweler will not make replicas for clients. The original design remains unique to Meghan and Harry.

The ring’s design prompted more discussion about ethical sourcing and the personal significance of engagement rings.

Meghan’s engagement ring may continue to evolve as personal preferences and circumstances change.