Rhiannon Hendricks
Meghan Markle's engagement and wedding rings have been the subject of much interest and speculation since her engagement to Prince Harry in 2017. The couple's wedding took place on 19 May 2018 at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, with the newly-minted Duchess of Sussex presented with an elegant yellow gold band crafted from Welsh gold, a gift from Queen Elizabeth herself. Markle's engagement ring, designed by Prince Harry, features a large cushion-cut centre diamond sourced from Botswana, a country that holds a special place in the couple's heart, flanked by two round diamonds from Princess Diana's collection. The trilogy ring design represents a couple's past, present and future, making it a sentimental choice for the couple.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ring type | Engagement ring, wedding ring, eternity ring |
| Sentimental value | The engagement ring features a three-carat cushion-cut diamond from Botswana, where the couple spent significant time building their relationship. The two round side diamonds are about one carat each and come from Princess Diana's personal jewellery collection. |
| Design | Three-stone setting, trilogy or trinity ring |
| Band | Yellow gold |
| Changes to the ring | In 2019, Meghan replaced the original simple yellow gold band with a thin micro-pavé band featuring diamonds. |
| Designer | Prince Harry designed the ring with the help of Cleave & Company. |
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What You'll Learn
Meghan Markle's wedding rings include jewels from Princess Diana's collection
Meghan Markle's wedding ring stack includes jewels from Princess Diana's collection. The centre stone of Markle's engagement ring is surrounded by two round diamonds from Princess Diana's personal jewellery collection. The ring was originally crafted with a yellow gold band, but in 2019, Meghan reset the ring, opting for a thin, diamond-paved band. The new ring made its public debut at the Trooping the Colour Parade in June 2019.
The inclusion of jewels from Princess Diana's collection adds a deeply sentimental touch to Meghan Markle's wedding rings. The choice to include these diamonds pays tribute to the idea that Princess Diana's presence will follow Meghan and Harry on their lifelong journey. The centre stone of Meghan's engagement ring is also quite significant, as it is a 3-carat cushion-cut diamond from Botswana, where the couple vacationed for Meghan's 36th birthday and where Harry told her of his intentions to propose.
In addition to her engagement ring, Meghan Markle also inherited Princess Diana's stunning aquamarine cocktail ring, which she wore on her wedding day and other special occasions.
While Meghan's wedding ring stack includes these sentimental jewels, she has been known to change up the order of her rings, wearing her wedding ring on the outside, followed by her engagement ring and an eternity band. This order is considered a wedding jewellery faux pas based on tradition, as brides typically wear their wedding band first, closest to their heart.
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The rings were designed by Prince Harry
Meghan Markle's engagement ring was designed by her then-fiancé, Prince Harry. The ring features a three-carat cushion-cut diamond from Botswana, a place that holds a special significance for the couple. It was where they vacationed for Meghan's 36th birthday, and Harry also chose this destination to tell Markle about his intentions to propose. The centre stone is flanked by two round diamonds from Princess Diana's personal jewellery collection, estimated at just under a carat each. The ring was set on a gold band, Markle's favourite, and crafted by royal jeweller Cleave and Company.
In 2019, Markle reset the ring, opting for a thin, diamond-paved band while retaining the original diamond design. This redesign coincided with the couple's first wedding anniversary and the birth of their son, Archie. The new eternity ring also included the family's birthstones, adding a personal touch.
Prince Harry wears a simple yet elegant platinum band on his wedding finger, adhering to a long-standing tradition for royal men. While there is no official explanation for this custom, some speculate that it is a practical choice, as a more elaborate ring might pose a safety hazard during royal duties.
Markle has been known to rearrange her wedding ring stack, occasionally substituting her famous three-stone engagement ring for an anniversary band. She sparked debate among fans when she shared a photo on Instagram showcasing her latest ring stack, which did not follow the traditional order. Instead of wearing her wedding band closest to her heart, she wore it on the outside, followed by the engagement ring and any additional rings or eternity bands.
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The centre stone is from Botswana, a country special to the couple
The centre stone of Meghan Markle's engagement ring is a cushion-cut diamond, weighing around three carats. It was sourced from Botswana, a country that holds a special place in the couple's heart.
Botswana is where the couple spent significant time building their relationship. It was the spot where they vacationed for Meghan's 36th birthday, and it was also where Harry told her of his intentions to propose. The country is therefore associated with some of the most important moments in their relationship.
The couple's wedding bands were crafted from Welsh gold, a century-old royal tradition. The gold ring was a gift from the Queen herself. Meghan's ring collection expanded in 2019 with the addition of an eternity ring gifted to her by Harry on their one-year anniversary.
Meghan's engagement ring has undergone a few alterations since the initial design. The original simple band was replaced with a thin yellow gold band set with micro-pavé diamonds. The eternity ring and the new engagement ring design formed a ring stack, which was completed by the addition of the wedding band.
The three-stone setting of the engagement ring is a trilogy or trinity ring, representing the couple's past, present, and future. The largest centre stone symbolises the importance of being in the moment together.
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The rings were made by Cleave & Company
Meghan Markle's wedding rings are certainly sentimental. The Duchess of Sussex's engagement ring was designed by Prince Harry himself, with the help of British jeweller Cleave & Company. The three-stone ring features a cushion-cut diamond from Botswana, where the couple spent significant time together early on in their relationship. The two side stones are from the late Princess Diana's personal collection.
Harry was intent on the metal selection for the ring, as Meghan is a big fan of yellow gold for its warm hue that complements her skin tone. The couple made their media debut as an engaged couple in November 2017, posing hand-in-hand for photos in the Sunken Gardens of Kensington Palace.
The wedding band was also crafted by Cleave & Company. It was a gift from Queen Elizabeth herself, made from pure Welsh gold. Welsh gold has been used for royal wedding bands as early as 1923 when the Queen Mother chose the material for her own wedding ring. The gold ring was presented to Meghan Markle by Prince Harry on their wedding day on 19 May 2018.
In 2019, Meghan's ring collection expanded with the addition of a diamond eternity ring, gifted to her by Prince Harry for their one-year anniversary. The eternity ring was designed by Lorraine Schwartz, a favourite of Meghan's. The eternity ring joined the newly altered engagement ring and original wedding band. The engagement ring was altered by Harry and Schwartz to resize and reset the ring. The original simple band was replaced with a thin, yellow gold band set with micro-pavé diamonds.
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The eternity ring was designed by Lorraine Schwartz
Meghan Markle's wedding rings are indeed sentimental. Prince Harry proposed to Meghan Markle in 2017 with a custom three-stone engagement ring featuring diamonds from his late mother, Princess Diana's, jewellery collection. The couple designed the ring together with the help of British jewellers Cleave & Company. The centre stone is a cushion-cut diamond weighing around 3 carats, sourced from Botswana, a country that holds a special place in the couple's heart. The two side diamonds are about 1 carat each, also from Princess Diana's personal collection.
Harry presented Meghan with a pure Welsh gold wedding band from Cleave & Company on their wedding day on 19 May 2018. The ring was a gift from Queen Elizabeth herself, carrying on the century-old royal tradition of using Welsh gold for wedding bands.
In 2019, Meghan's ring collection expanded with the addition of an eternity ring, gifted to her by Prince Harry on their one-year anniversary. The eternity ring was designed by Lorraine Schwartz, a favourite of Meghan's. The eternity ring is a conflict-free diamond infinity band with a channel setting and gold trim flanking each side of the ring. It joined the newly altered engagement ring and original wedding band, forming a stack of three rings.
The eternity ring complements the other rings in Meghan's collection. Harry had enlisted Lorraine Schwartz to resize and reset the original engagement ring, replacing the simple yellow gold band with a thin micro-pavé band set with diamonds. The eternity ring matches the new diamond band, adding even more sparkle to the three diamonds.
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Frequently asked questions
The three-stone setting is a trilogy or trinity ring, representing a couple's past, present and future. The centre stone is from Botswana, a country that holds a special place in Meghan and Harry's relationship. The two side diamonds were from Princess Diana's personal collection.
Meghan Markle's wedding band was made from Welsh gold, a century-old royal tradition. The gold ring was crafted by Cleave and Company and gifted to Meghan by the Queen.
Meghan Markle's engagement ring was resized and reset by Lorraine Schwartz. The original simple band was replaced with a thin yellow gold band set with micro-pavé diamonds.
The eternity ring was gifted to Meghan by Prince Harry on their one-year anniversary. It was designed by Lorraine Schwartz and is a conflict-free diamond infinity band.
Meghan Markle's first engagement ring was from her ex-husband Trevor Engelson. It was a cushion-cut diamond in a cathedral setting on a thin pavé band.
