The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, has long been recognised for her affinity for meaningful jewellery pieces, from her Cartier 'Love' bracelet to Princess Diana's Cartier tank watch and the diamond studs she chose for Prince Archie's christening. Now, the 44-year-old royal appears to have added another deeply sentimental item to her collection, after keen-eyed fans noticed a mysterious sparkler adorning the ring finger of her right hand.
A Sporty Date Night Reveals New Bling
Meghan enjoyed a sporty date night with Prince Harry on February 15, as the couple secured coveted courtside seats for the NBA All-Star Game. While waving at cameras and posing for photographs, a substantial diamond ring—distinct from her wedding stack—captured the light, drawing immediate attention. The choice of hand proved particularly significant, as jewellery expert Trang Do explained to The Daily Mail that wearing a meaningful ring on the right hand often represents independence, self-love, and personal power.
Expert Analysis of the New Addition
Trang Do, founder of bespoke fine jewellery specialist Kimjoux, elaborated that this new piece could signal an evolution in Meghan's engagement ring narrative. The Duchess has previously sparked speculation by reportedly redesigning elements of the 2.5-carat jewel from Prince Harry on four separate occasions. "Many clients today are choosing to refresh their rings to mark milestones, whether an anniversary, a personal achievement or a new chapter, rather than waiting for a traditional proposal moment," Trang noted.
Meghan and Prince Harry displayed affection as they joined Queen Latifah, Barack and Michelle Obama, Tyla, Vin Diesel, and Ludacris for the basketball match at Los Angeles' Intuit Dome. The Sussexes were all smiles as they were escorted to VIP seating alongside Queen Latifah and her partner, Eboni Nichols. Royal enthusiasts obtained the clearest view of Meghan's new ring when the couple were approached by the NBA's social media team, prompting the Duchess to gently rub Harry's arm and encourage him to pose.
Previous Appearances and Distinctions
The last documented appearance of this ring occurred in October 2025, when Meghan attended a World Mental Health Day festival in New York. It was visible as she took the stage at the event organised by Project Healthy Minds, where their non-profit Archewell Foundation hosted three panels. Although the ring remains officially unidentified, it is believed to differ from the pear-shaped accessory with a moonstone that Meghan debuted the previous year.
That £3,185 ring—speculated to be a birthday gift from Prince Harry—was proudly worn by Meghan during a charity concert at Kevin Costner's oceanside estate in Santa Barbara last September. In contrast, the newest oval-cut addition to her jewellery collection "feels much more like a self-purchase," according to Trang Do.
Detailed Characteristics and Symbolism
The jewellery designer further analysed: "Compared to her engagement ring, the stone appears noticeably warmer in tone. If it is a diamond, I would expect it to sit within a lower colour range, which is actually very on-trend at the moment." Despite the diamond's substantial size, estimated between four and six carats, the ring's refined, heritage-inspired setting renders it "elegant rather than ostentatious." Trang concluded: "If confirmed natural and self-purchased, this could subtly signal a shift in personal narrative or a new chapter she’s choosing to mark independently."
The Evolution of Meghan's Engagement Ring
When Prince Harry proposed to Meghan in 2017, he personally designed the ring to feature a cushion-cut diamond, estimated between 2.5 and 3 carats, sourced from Botswana—where the couple enjoyed their first holiday together. Flanking the central stone are two smaller, round diamonds from Princess Diana's personal jewellery collection, a sentimental touch that Meghan described as "important" to include Harry's late mother in their union.
Less than two years later, the engagement ring underwent modification, with Meghan showcasing its new design at Trooping the Colour in 2019. The £120,000 sparkler then featured a considerably thinner band. According to Omid Scobie's 2022 book Finding Freedom, it was the Duke of Sussex who initiated the first alterations, commissioning jeweller Lorraine Schwartz to resize and reset the ring with a new diamond band.
The refreshed design incorporated a thin, micro-pavé band and was paired with a conflict-free diamond eternity band, symbolising their expanding family. Further speculation arose in 2022 when Meghan attended the Invictus Games in The Hague, appearing to have added extra diamonds to the setting surrounding the central stone. The ring was notably absent during several of Meghan's 2023 appearances, reportedly due to a loose stone being repaired.
Earlier this year, observant royal fans noted that the ring's central diamond resembled an emerald cut more than the original cushion cut in a trailer for the Duchess's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. While some suggested a third modification, others theorised it might have been a replica to prevent damage during cooking activities.
