At a recent charity event in Los Angeles, the Duchess of Sussex was photographed beaming and embracing her close friend Kelly Zajfen. However, keen observers noted a significant absence from her left hand: her dazzling diamond engagement ring and accompanying eternity band were missing. Instead, Meghan Markle, aged 44, opted solely for her simple, golden wedding ring, continuing a pattern of pared-back jewellery choices in recent weeks.
A Pattern of Minimalist Style
This is not the first instance where Meghan has chosen to forgo her engagement ring. Earlier this year, during her trip to Jordan, she consistently wore only her wedding band, embracing a minimalist aesthetic. The last confirmed public sighting of the engagement ring occurred in February, when she and Prince Harry attended an NBA All-Star Game at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
History of Alterations
Speculation is mounting that a new iteration of the ring may be forthcoming, as the Duchess is believed to have had the piece altered at least three times since its creation in 2017. The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for the Sussexes for comment on the matter.
The ring's origins are deeply personal. Prince Harry proposed to Meghan nine years ago, enlisting Cleave & Company, the late Queen Elizabeth's regular jeweller, to design a unique piece. In a particularly romantic gesture, Harry secretly obtained a ring from Meghan's jewellery box to ensure the designers knew her exact size. Furthermore, in a touching tribute to his late mother, Princess Diana, he requested that diamonds be sourced from one of her bracelets.
Sentimental Origins
In his memoir, Spare, Prince Harry, now 41, recalled securing permission from his brother, Prince William, to use the bracelet. He wrote, "I'd asked my brother if I could have the bracelet, and told him what it was for. I don't recall him hesitating, for one second, in giving it to me. He seemed to like Meg."
The ring also features a central diamond ethically sourced from Botswana, the African nation where the couple's romance blossomed on their third date. The original design, presented during Harry's proposal at Nottingham Cottage in Kensington Palace, comprised a solid yellow gold band adorned with three diamonds.
Evolution of the Ring
Since its creation, the engagement ring is believed to have undergone several transformations. By June 2019, during the Trooping the Colour ceremony, Meghan was seen wearing a version with a thinner band and additional small diamonds set along the sides. Jewellery expert Arabel Lebrusan suggested this modification reflected a more American style. The original ring was valued at approximately £126,000.
That same year, Meghan also debuted a new eternity ring, featuring conflict-free diamonds and three birthstones representing herself, Harry, and their newborn son, Archie. According to the biography Finding Freedom by Omid Scobie, the decision to resize and reset the engagement ring in 2019 was Prince Harry's idea, described by jeweller Lorraine Schwartz as a "romantic and thoughtful" gesture.
Further Modifications
In 2022, speculation arose again when Meghan attended the Invictus Games in The Hague, and the ring appeared to have additional diamonds surrounding the central stone. The ring was notably absent during several appearances in 2023, reportedly due to repairs for a loose stone, which some interpreted as a third alteration.
More recently, in 2025, eagle-eyed royal fans observed in a trailer for Meghan's Netflix series that the central diamond seemed to have an emerald cut, differing from the original cushion cut. While some speculated this marked a fourth iteration, others suggested it might be a replica used to protect the original during activities like cooking.
The couple exchanged vows in a fairytale ceremony at St George's Chapel in Windsor on May 19, 2018. As Meghan continues to favour simpler jewellery, the absence of her engagement ring fuels ongoing discussion about its potential redesign, with experts and fans alike watching closely for any future changes to this iconic piece.
