George Boyle
Meghan Markle's wedding ring is a simple, unadorned, highly polished gold band made from rare Welsh gold. The ring was gifted to Meghan by Queen Elizabeth herself and has been used for royal wedding bands since 1923. The ring has a surprisingly rich backstory, despite its classic and understated appearance. Prince Harry's ring, a textured platinum band, has a similar aesthetic.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ring type | Engagement ring, wedding band, eternity ring |
| Design | Three-stone ring, trilogy or trinity ring |
| Metal | Yellow gold |
| Carat weight | 3.8 carats in total, with a 3-carat cushion-cut center stone and 0.75-carat side stones |
| Jeweler | Cleave and Company, Lorraine Schwartz |
| Significance of stones | Center stone from Botswana, side stones from Princess Diana's collection |
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What You'll Learn
Meghan Markle's engagement ring
The trilogy setting of Meghan's engagement ring is said to symbolise the past, present, and future. The inclusion of his mother's diamonds touched Meghan deeply, as she never had the chance to meet Princess Diana. The new design features a cohesive set of three rings: her engagement ring, her simple Welsh gold wedding band, and her eternity ring. The eternity ring was a gift from Prince Harry to commemorate their one-year anniversary and the birth of their first child.
The trilogy ring design has become so popular that many jewellers now offer 'Meghan Markle trilogy lookalike engagement rings', featuring a similar arrangement of three stones. The Buckingham Palace shop even offered a replica of Meghan's ring, dubbed the 'Buckingham Palace Statement Ring', featuring three faux stones.
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The three-stone design
Meghan Markle's engagement ring is a three-stone, or "trilogy" or "trinity" ring, designed by Prince Harry with jewellers Cleave and Company. The trilogy setting originally featured a simple yellow gold band. The centre cushion-cut diamond is from Botswana, a country that holds special meaning for the couple, and the two smaller round diamonds on either side are from Princess Diana's collection. The couple announced their engagement on 27 November 2017, and their wedding took place in May 2018.
Following the birth of their son Archie in May 2019, Meghan revealed a modified band: the engagement ring now featured a thin micro-pavé band, as opposed to the original solid yellow gold one. The new ring made its public debut at the Trooping the Colour Parade in June 2019. The resizing and resetting of the ring were done by celebrity jeweller Lorraine Schwartz.
The trilogy ring is thought to have approximately 3.8 carats in total, with a 3-carat cushion-cut centre stone. The ring is estimated to cost €305,000 (roughly $350,000 or £260,000).
Meghan's wedding band, crafted from a piece of Welsh gold gifted by Queen Elizabeth, was also created by Cleave and Company. Welsh gold is currently the rarest type of gold and, therefore, the most expensive. It has not been mined in over two decades, and the royal tradition of using it for wedding bands began with the Queen's mother, Elizabeth Bowes Lyon, in 1923.
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The inclusion of Princess Diana's stones
The engagement ring Prince Harry designed for Meghan Markle features two smaller diamonds that belonged to his late mother, Princess Diana. The trilogy ring, also called a "trinity" ring, symbolises the past, present, and future. The centre stone is a cushion-cut diamond from Botswana, a country that holds special significance for the couple. The two side stones are from Princess Diana's personal collection, adding a deeply sentimental touch.
Harry said, "The ring is obviously yellow gold because that's [Markle's] favourite, and the main stone itself I sourced from Botswana. And the little diamonds on the side are from my mother's jewellery collection, to make sure that she's with us on this crazy journey together." Meghan was clearly touched by Harry's thoughtfulness, saying, "Everything about Harry's thoughtfulness and the inclusion of [Princess Diana's] stones and obviously not being able to meet his mum, it's so important to me to know that she's a part of this with us."
The trilogy setting was originally a simple yellow gold band. However, in 2019, Meghan revealed a modified band: the engagement ring now featured a thin micro-pavé band, as opposed to the original solid yellow gold one. Some believe it was a personal preference as Meghan is known to favour dainty jewellery. It may have also been a way to mark the birth of their son, Archie, in May 2019.
In addition to her engagement ring, Meghan also inherited Princess Diana's stunning aquamarine cocktail ring.
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The eternity band
The yellow gold of Meghan's eternity band also matches the colour of her wedding band. In keeping with a century-old royal tradition, the Duchess of Sussex's wedding ring is made of Welsh gold. Welsh gold is the rarest and most expensive type of gold, as it has not been mined for over two decades. The use of Welsh gold in royal wedding bands was started by Queen Elizabeth's mother, Elizabeth Bowes Lyon, in 1923.
Meghan's eternity band is a thoughtful and meaningful gift from Prince Harry, incorporating his mother's legacy into the ring. The two smaller diamonds in Meghan's engagement ring, which flank the centre stone, are from the personal collection of the late Princess Diana. The inclusion of these diamonds in Meghan's engagement ring, as well as the matching yellow gold bands of the eternity and engagement rings, ensures that Princess Diana is "a part of this crazy journey" with the couple, as Meghan has stated.
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The Welsh gold wedding band
The ring is a beautiful symbol of the couple's love and commitment and is a perfect match for Markle's engagement ring, which was also designed by Prince Harry. The engagement ring features a cushion-cut diamond from Botswana, flanked by two smaller diamonds from Princess Diana's collection. The inclusion of his mother's diamonds in the design was a thoughtful and meaningful touch by Prince Harry, ensuring her presence in their journey together.
Markle's wedding band is a timeless and classic choice, complementing her engagement ring and eternity ring, which she received after the birth of their son Archie in May 2019. The eternity ring, designed by Prince Harry, is a delicate pavé-set band that sits alongside her engagement and wedding rings. The trilogy of rings represents the couple's love, commitment, and the significant moments in their lives together.
The choice of Welsh gold for Markle's wedding band not only honours the royal tradition but also showcases the rarity and value of the metal. With its rich history and cultural significance, Welsh gold is a fitting choice for a royal wedding band, embodying the importance of the occasion and the enduring love it symbolises. The simple design of the band also reflects Markle's known preference for dainty and elegant jewellery.
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Frequently asked questions
Meghan Markle's wedding ring is a simple, unadorned, highly polished gold band made from rare Welsh gold. It matches the textured platinum band that her husband, Prince Harry, wears.
Meghan Markle's engagement ring is a custom-made three-stone ring. The centre stone is a cushion-cut diamond from Botswana, weighing around 3 carats. The two side stones are round-cut diamonds from Princess Diana's personal collection, weighing around 0.75 carats each. The band is yellow gold.
Meghan Markle chose to follow a long-standing Windsor family tradition started by Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother in the 20th century. In this tradition, each royal bride receives a custom-made ring made from rare Welsh gold from the Clogau St. David's mine.
Prince Harry designed the engagement ring with the help of Cleave & Company, the late Queen Elizabeth's regular jeweller.
Yes, in 2019, Meghan reset her engagement ring. She kept the diamond design the same but opted for a slim diamond-paved band, giving the ring a more modern look.
