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Meghan Markle's sentimental diamond engagement ring designed by Prince Harry: all the details

The Duke of Sussex designed the engagement ring himself

Bryony Gooch
US Writer
Updated: October 8, 2024
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Prince Harry's engagement to Meghan Markle in November 2017 was a suitably romantic and intimate occasion, with the perfect ring to match. 

When the Duke of Sussex first discussed his engagement to Meghan during a BBC interview, he explained that he proposed during a quiet night in with Meghan while she roasted a chicken. 

WATCH: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's love story

He would go on to later share the adorable details of the moment he popped the question in Spare, revealing that he had popped a bottle of champagne unexpectedly and had "set electric candles around the blanket" in their walled garden at Nottingham Cottage. He had "wanted it to look like Botswana, where I'd first thought of proposing", he wrote. 

The engagement ring he got for Meghan Markle was an equally thoughtful choice, as he designed it himself with a number of historical details that not only reflected their relationship as a couple, but his family heritage.

THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS - APRIL 15: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attends an Invictus Games Friends and Family reception hosted by the City of The Hague and the Dutch Ministry of Defence at Zuiderpark on April 15, 2022 in The Hague, Netherlands. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)© Max Mumby/Indigo
Meghan with her iconic ring

Here is all we know about the stunning engagement ring.

The design

Prince Harry designed the engagement ring himself - unlike his brother Prince William, who famously opted for his mother Princess Diana's famous diamond and sapphire ring

Britain's Prince Harry stands with his fiancée US actress Meghan Markle as she shows off her engagement ring whilst they pose for a photograph in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace in west London on November 27, 2017, following the announcement of their engagement. Britain's Prince Harry will marry his US actress girlfriend Meghan Markle early next year after the couple became engaged earlier this month, Clarence House announced on Monday. (Photo by Daniel LEAL / AFP) (Photo by DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images)© DANIEL LEAL
Prince Harry and Meghan announcing their engagement

The ring itself has a cushion cut diamond, estimated to be between 2.5 and 3 carats, supported by two round diamonds. The stones are set in white gold with the main band of the ring in yellow gold.

Yet the famous piece of jewellery was also referential to his mother, as the side stones, two round diamonds, came from Princess Diana's personal jewellery collection. 

Meghan revealed that it was "important" to her to know that the late royal was "a part of this with us".

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - FEBRUARY 13: Meghan Markle, rings detail, visits Edinburgh Castle on February 13, 2018 in Edinburgh, Scotland.  (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)© Chris Jackson
A close-up of the Duchess' ring, 2018

She added: "It's incredibly special to be able to have this, which sort of links where [Harry comes] from and Botswana, which is important to us, it's perfect."

The main stone - a cushion cut diamond - links more intimately to the couple's relationship, as it's from Botswana where the couple took their first holiday together. Harry explained that it was on this holiday that he decided he wanted to marry her.

BOGNOR REGIS, UNITED KINGDOM - OCTOBER 03: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visits the University of Chichester's Engineering and Technology Park on October 3, 2018 in Bognor Regis, England. The Duke and Duchess married on May 19th 2018 in Windsor and were conferred The Duke & Duchess of Sussex by The Queen. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)© Max Mumby/Indigo
Meghan wearing her engagement ring and wedding band in 2018

"It was I think about three, maybe four weeks after our first date that I managed to persuade her to come and join me in Botswana," The Prince revealed. "And we camped out with each other under the stars … she came and joined me for five days out there, which was absolutely fantastic."

The Duke of Sussex selected a yellow gold band, reportedly his wife's favorite, from Cleave & Company, the late Queen Elizabeth's regular jeweller. 

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 27:  Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, ring detail, attend an official photocall to announce the engagement of Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace on November 27, 2017 in London, England.  Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been a couple officially since November 2016 and are due to marry in Spring 2018.  (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)© Karwai Tang
Meghan and Harry hold hands, showing off their engagement ring

How much did it cost

David Allen, an expert from 77 Diamonds, spoke to HELLO! as the couple's wedding took place in 2018, revealing that: "A ring of this size and quality would start at around £50,000 but with the use of the late Princess Diana's diamonds as side stones, this ring, like Kate's before it, is of inestimable worth." 

He continued: "The last Royal engagement that came with a Trilogy engagement ring was the Countess of Wessex in 1999 to Prince Edward which features a round centre stone and heart shape side stones."

Britain's Prince Harry stands with his fiancée US actress Meghan Markle as she shows off her engagement ring whilst they pose for a photograph in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace in west London on November 27, 2017, following the announcement of their engagement. Britain's Prince Harry will marry his US actress girlfriend Meghan Markle early next year after the couple became engaged earlier this month, Clarence House announced on Monday. (Photo by Daniel LEAL / AFP) (Photo by DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images)© DANIEL LEAL
Prince Harry with Meghan, showing off her ring

Why doesn't the Duchess of Sussex wear her ring anymore

Eagle eyed fans regularly take note when they see that the Duchess of Sussex isn't wearing her engagement ring, and over the past few years she has opted not to wear it at a number of public events.

In 2023 reports noted that the Duchess' ring had been taken in for servicing after the setting came loose. But back in 2019, PEOPLE heard from a source that Meghan actually chooses not to wear her engagement ring or her eternity ring for certain occasions, in order to make sure meet and greets can be more low-key affairs. 

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - SEPTEMBER 25: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and their baby son Archie Mountbatten-Windsor meet Archbishop Desmond Tutu and his daughter Thandeka Tutu-Gxashe at the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation during their royal tour of South Africa on September 25, 2019 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage)© Pool
The Duchess seemingly not wearing her ring while with baby Archie, 2019

Instead, she has opted to wear her Welsh gold wedding ring and a Jennifer Meyer turquoise marquise ring.

Before and after upgrade

As Meghan and Harry introduced their son Archie to the world, many keen fans noticed that the Duchess had upgraded her engagement ring band. She debuted the new ring during 2019's Trooping the Colour ceremony.

THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS - APRIL 15: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (jewellery detail) attends an Invictus Games Friends and Family reception hosted by the City of The Hague and the Dutch Ministry of Defence at Zuiderpark on April 15, 2022 in The Hague, Netherlands. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)© Max Mumby/Indigo
Meghan's upgraded engagement ring

The original solid yellow gold band, crafted by Cleave and Company, had been replaced with a thin micro-pavé band instead.

It's worth mentioning that the Duchess often wears her engagement ring alongside her wedding band, which is much thinner than the original engagement band was. Perhaps she thought that the micro pavé band coordinated better with her wedding ring, which is made from rare Welsh gold from Clogau.

Meghan Markle's wedding band

Meghan Markle  in the Ascot Landau carriage during a procession after getting married at St Georges Chapel © WPA Pool
Meghan's wedding band was crafted by the queen

Meghan's wedding band also had a sentimental backstory. The plain gold ring was gifted by the late Queen Elizabeth and is crafted out of pure Welsh gold from Cleave & Company.

RELATED: Inside Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's personal wedding album in 8 intimate photos

Welsh gold has been traditionally used by the royals since 1923 when the Queen Mother used the material for her own wedding band. Princess Anne, Princess Diana, Princess Kate, and Princess Eugenie have also worn wedding bands made of Welsh gold

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