The Original Design and Its Symbolism
Prince Harry was credited with personally selecting the center diamond from Botswana, flanked by two smaller stones from Princess Diana’s collection. This symbolic gesture tied Diana to the couple’s new chapter. Engagement rings in the royal world are more than accessories; they are heirlooms, emotional artifacts, and visual shorthand for continuity and legacy. Every detail matters.
The Controversial Ring Redesign
In June 2019, observers noticed a subtle yet significant change: the original thick yellow gold band had been replaced with a thinner pavé band set with small diamonds. While the stones remained the same, the setting was entirely reworked. According to Vogue, the original stones were removed and placed in a new bespoke setting from scratch. This technical process was legitimate, but the ring redesign carried deeper implications.
Who Really Designed the Ring Redesign?
Publicly, Prince Harry was credited alongside the Cleveland Company. However, the original design carried the influence of renowned British jeweler David Thomas, a crown jeweler who had personally designed Princess Diana’s engagement ring. For Thomas, jewelry was not mere decoration; it was narrative and memory rendered in gold and stone. The ring redesign diluted the original designer’s intent and weakened the symbolic link to Diana.
Public and Expert Reactions
Reactions to the new pavé band were mixed. Some praised its contemporary aesthetic, while others felt it diminished the original legacy. The thicker gold band had visually grounded the stones and carried historical weight, while the new band shifted the narrative toward a more fashion-forward statement. The ring redesign became a focal point for discussions about legacy, symbolism, and modernity in royal jewelry.
The Significance of David Thomas
David Thomas passed away in January 2026 after battling Alzheimer’s disease. Even in 2025, he remained lucid enough to recognize and describe his own designs from decades prior. The ring redesign inadvertently reduced his visible contribution, diminishing the narrative link to both Diana and the heritage of British crown jewelry.
Legacy, Symbolism, and Royal Context
In the royal world, changes to historically loaded pieces like engagement rings are rarely neutral. The ring redesign affected not only aesthetic considerations but also the preservation of historical symbolism. It raises questions about which aspects of the past are preserved, reinterpreted, or left behind, and how modern updates interact with heritage.
Key Takeaways
- The ring redesign replaced the original thick yellow gold band with a thinner pavé setting.
- Prince Harry was publicly credited with the ring redesign, but the original intent was rooted in David Thomas’s design for Diana.
- The ring redesign removed visual and symbolic links to Princess Diana and the legacy of British crown jewelry.
- Reactions were divided: some praised the contemporary aesthetic, others felt it diminished the heirloom’s significance.
- The ring redesign highlights the tension between preserving historical legacy and embracing modern trends in royal jewelry.
- Every detail in royal jewelry carries historical and emotional significance, making ring redesigns a subject of public scrutiny.
- Ultimately, the ring redesign altered the narrative and symbolism originally intended for Meghan Markle’s engagement ring.
