When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped into the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace back in November 2017, the world wasn't just looking at a happy couple. We were all squinting at a finger. Specifically, a finger carrying a trilogy ring that looked classic, timeless, and—honestly—a little bit surprising for a modern royal.
But here is the thing: the Meghan Markle Prince Harry engagement ring you see today isn't actually the one Harry handed her over a roast chicken dinner.
It has evolved. Some might even say it has "levelled up" three or four times since that first appearance. While most people think of it as a fixed piece of history, it’s actually become a living diary of their life together.
The Secret Origins of the Trilogy Design
Harry didn't just walk into a shop and pick this out. He went the custom route.
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The original piece featured a chunky, yellow gold band. Why yellow gold? Because, as Harry told the BBC during their engagement interview, it’s Meghan’s favorite. Simple as that. The design itself is a "trilogy" or three-stone setting. In jewelry lore, that’s supposed to represent a couple's past, present, and future.
Where the Diamonds Actually Came From
The stones aren't just high-carat rocks; they’re basically a map of Harry’s heart.
- The Center Stone: A cushion-cut diamond roughly 3 carats in size. Harry sourced it from Botswana. This wasn't a random choice. He has called Botswana his "second home," and it's where the couple famously camped under the stars early in their relationship.
- The Side Stones: These are the tear-jerkers. They are two round diamonds taken directly from Princess Diana’s personal jewelry collection. Harry wanted to make sure his mom was "with us on this crazy journey together."
The original ring was crafted by Cleave and Company, the late Queen Elizabeth II's regular jeweler. At the time, experts valued the physical materials at around $150,000, but with the Diana connection? It's literally priceless.
The Great 2019 Redesign: Why Change a Classic?
About eighteen months after the wedding, right around the time Archie was born in 2019, the ring changed.
If you look at photos from the Trooping the Colour that year, the solid yellow gold band was gone. In its place was a super-thin, delicate micro-pavé band. Basically, the band was now encrusted with tiny, sparkling diamonds.
Some traditionalists were actually a bit annoyed by this. They felt changing a royal engagement ring was "not done." But reports later suggested the update was actually Harry’s idea. He worked with celebrity jeweler Lorraine Schwartz—who has done rings for everyone from Beyoncé to Blake Lively—to modernize the piece.
At the same time, he gifted Meghan an eternity band. That ring has its own secret: it contains the birthstones for Harry (sapphire), Meghan (peridot), and Archie (emerald) on the underside of the band. It's a "hidden" tribute that most people never see.
The 2026 Mystery: Did She Change the Center Stone?
The latest buzz—and this is what’s getting everyone's attention right now—is about the shape of the main diamond.
In recent footage, specifically trailers for her Netflix projects like With Love, Meghan, the diamond looks... different. It doesn't look like a soft-edged cushion cut anymore. It looks sharper, more rectangular. Some jewelry experts are convinced she’s swapped the Botswana stone for an emerald-cut diamond.
Let's look at the facts:
- The "Loose Setting" Rumor: In 2023, Meghan was spotted without the ring for several months. The official word was that it was being "serviced" because a setting had come loose.
- The Visual Evidence: In high-res photos from 2025 and early 2026, the stone appears to have the distinct "hall of mirrors" facets of an emerald cut rather than the "crushed ice" look of a cushion cut.
- The Side Stones: Thankfully, those Diana diamonds still seem to be there, flanking whatever the center stone currently is.
Whether it’s a new stone or just a very clever re-setting that makes the original diamond look more "square," the value has definitely jumped. We're now looking at a piece estimated to be worth north of $350,000.
Why This Ring Matters More Than a Tiara
Honestly, the Meghan Markle Prince Harry engagement ring tells us more about the Sussexes than any Sussex.com press release ever could.
It shows a mix of deep sentiment (Diana's diamonds) and a total willingness to break with royal protocol (the redesign). Usually, royal rings are untouchable heirlooms. You don't just "tweak" a piece of the Crown’s history. But Meghan and Harry have always operated on their own terms.
If you’re looking to get the look yourself, you've probably noticed that "trilogy" rings have spiked in popularity since 2017. People want that "past, present, future" vibe. And the move back to yellow gold? You can thank Meghan for that. Before her, everyone wanted platinum or white gold. Now, the warm tones of 18k yellow gold are everywhere again.
Actionable Tips for Your Own "Royal" Ring
If you’re inspired by this design but don't have a direct line to a royal vault, here is how to approach it:
- Focus on the Cut: If you love the original look, ask for an "elongated cushion cut." It gives you the brilliance of a round diamond but with a more unique, vintage silhouette.
- Mix Your Metals: You can do what Harry did and use yellow gold for the band but white gold or platinum for the "prongs" (the claws holding the diamond). This keeps the yellow gold from reflecting into the diamond and making it look yellow.
- The Sourcing Story: Follow Harry’s lead on ethical sourcing. Botswana is one of the best places to source "conflict-free" natural diamonds because the industry there supports local infrastructure and schools.
- The "Meghan" Band: If you want that 2019 update, ask for a "micro-pavé" band. Just be warned: they are very thin and can be fragile if you’re hard on your jewelry.
Whether you love her or not, you can't deny that the evolution of this ring is fascinating. It’s gone from a traditional royal token to a high-fashion "stack" that wouldn't look out of place on a Hollywood red carpet. It’s the ultimate symbol of her transition from a British Duchess back to a global power player.
Keep an eye on the photos from her next public appearance. If that center stone looks even bigger, don't be surprised—this ring seems to grow along with her brand.