The Royal Redesign: 5 Shocking Secrets And Three Major Changes To Meghan Markle's Engagement Ring
The engagement ring given to Meghan Markle by Prince Harry is not just a piece of royal jewelry; it is a deeply personal, evolving symbol of their love story and a tribute to a late royal icon. As of December 11, 2025, the fascination with this three-stone diamond ring remains at an all-time high, consistently ranking as one of the most-searched celebrity engagement rings in the world. The ring’s unique design, which Prince Harry personally created, has undergone at least three significant modifications since its debut in 2017, transforming it from a classic royal heirloom into a modern masterpiece that reflects the Duchess of Sussex's evolving style.
The ring’s journey—from its creation using stones from Princess Diana’s collection to its latest rumored alteration—is a captivating tale of sentimentality, style, and subtle rebellion against traditional royal norms. This deep dive explores the ring's origins, its staggering value, and the controversial changes that have kept royal watchers and jewelry experts talking for years.
The Sentimental Origin: A Tribute to Princess Diana and Botswana
Prince Harry’s design philosophy for Meghan's engagement ring was rooted in deep personal meaning, ensuring the piece was a direct and emotional link to his past and their shared future. The ring is a classic trilogy or three-stone design, a style that symbolizes the past, present, and future of a relationship.
The Three Stones and Their Meaning
The centerpiece of the ring is a stunning cushion-cut diamond, estimated to be between three and four carats. This stone was ethically sourced from Botswana, a country that holds immense personal significance for the couple. Harry and Meghan took a private trip to Botswana early in their relationship, cementing it as a special place for them. The center stone is flanked by two smaller, round-cut diamonds.
- The Center Stone: A cushion-cut diamond from Botswana, representing their shared African adventure and the beginning of their romance.
- The Side Stones: Two brilliant-cut diamonds taken directly from a brooch that belonged to Prince Harry’s mother, Diana, Princess of Wales. This inclusion ensures that Diana’s presence is always with the couple, making the ring priceless in sentimental value.
The original setting was a solid yellow gold band, which Meghan reportedly loved because yellow gold is her favorite. The ring was crafted by the late Queen Elizabeth II’s court jewelers, Cleave and Company.
The Royal Redesign: Three Major Modifications Since 2017
One of the most talked-about aspects of Meghan's engagement ring is its evolution. Unlike many royal heirlooms that remain untouched for centuries, Meghan has made at least three alterations, a move that is both a personal expression and a departure from royal tradition.
Modification 1: The 2019 Pavé Band Upgrade
The most significant and publicly noticed change occurred in 2019, shortly before the birth of their son, Archie. The original solid yellow gold band was completely replaced with a delicate, thinner micro-pavé set band. This redesign added a continuous line of tiny diamonds along the band, dramatically increasing the ring's overall sparkle and giving it a more contemporary, dazzling look.
This change was seen as a nod to modern jewelry trends, a move that aligns with Meghan’s sleek, minimalist aesthetic. The new band is believed to be made of platinum, which contrasts beautifully with the warm tone of the cushion-cut center diamond.
Modification 2: The Eternity Ring Addition
While not a direct change to the engagement ring itself, the addition of a diamond eternity band further enhanced the overall look and is often discussed alongside the engagement ring. Prince Harry gifted Meghan this eternity ring for their first wedding anniversary. The band is also micro-pavé set and features the birthstones of Prince Harry, Meghan, and Archie on its underside, making it another deeply personal piece. The eternity band is worn stacked with the engagement ring and the simple Welsh gold wedding band.
Modification 3: The 2022 Center Stone Rumor
In 2022, royal watchers spotted a subtle, yet potentially significant, change. During an appearance at the Invictus Games in The Hague, some observers noted that the center diamond appeared to have a slightly different shape. The speculation was that the original cushion-cut diamond may have been replaced with a more elongated, emerald-cut stone, featuring sharper corners. While this change has not been officially confirmed, it highlights the continuous, private evolution of the ring. This potential third tweak suggests a willingness to continually refine a sentimental piece to match current style sensibilities.
The Staggering Value and Carat Weight of the Trilogy Ring
The true monetary value of Meghan Markle’s engagement ring is difficult to calculate, as the inclusion of Princess Diana's diamonds makes it historically and sentimentally priceless. However, jewelry experts have provided a range of estimates based on the quality of the center stone and the craftsmanship.
- Estimated Carat Weight: The total carat weight of the three stones is generally estimated to be between 3.8 and 5 carats. The center stone alone is thought to be around 3 to 4 carats.
- Estimated Monetary Value: The original ring, before the pavé modification, was estimated to be worth around $100,000 to $260,000. Following the 2019 redesign, the estimated retail cost of a similar piece is now placed higher, with some experts valuing the ring at $300,000 to $350,000, due to the added diamonds and the platinum work.
- The Botswana Diamond: The center cushion-cut diamond is of exceptional quality, likely a D or E color and VVS clarity, contributing significantly to its high valuation.
It is important to note that the emotional significance—the link to Prince Harry's childhood and the memory of his mother—makes the ring's actual worth far exceed any monetary appraisal. The ring is a tangible connection to the royal family's history, a piece of Princess Diana's legacy, and a bold statement of modern royal romance.
Topical Authority Entities and LSI Keywords
The story of the ring is interwoven with numerous key entities and concepts that establish its topical authority:
Key Entities: Prince Harry, Princess Diana, Duchess of Sussex, Cleave and Company, Botswana, Invictus Games, Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, Queen Elizabeth II, Kate Middleton (often compared).
LSI Keywords/Concepts: Trilogy ring, cushion-cut diamond, pavé band, micro-set diamonds, yellow gold band, platinum setting, ethical sourcing, carat weight, royal heirloom, diamond modification, estimated value, emerald-cut stone.
The redesign of Meghan's engagement ring is a powerful metaphor for the couple's journey outside the traditional royal structure. By updating the ring, Meghan personalized the heirloom, making it uniquely hers while still honoring the sentimental value of the stones. This trilogy ring, with its complex history and stunning evolution, remains a fascinating and highly influential piece of royal jewelry, inspiring countless modern engagement ring designs across the globe.
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