The Ring That Introduced Itself to the World
Few pieces of jewelry in recent royal history have sparked as much fascination as Meghan Markle's engagement ring. From the moment it was revealed to the world, it became one of the most talked-about and searched-for rings ever worn by a member of the British royal family.
Prince Harry and Meghan announced their engagement on November 27, 2017, appearing together for a now-famous photocall in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace. It was there that Meghan's ring made its public debut, instantly drawing attention for its unique design and deeply personal backstory.
Designed by Harry Himself
Rather than choosing something off the shelf, Harry took a hands-on approach and designed the ring himself, working alongside British jewelers Cleave & Company — the same firm long trusted by his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. The result was a three-stone setting built around meaning rather than tradition alone.
The Symbolism Behind Each Stone
At the center sits a cushion-cut diamond weighing close to three carats, sourced from Botswana — a country that holds deep sentimental value for the couple, since it was a place where their early relationship blossomed. Flanking that center stone are two smaller round diamonds, each just under a carat, taken directly from Princess Diana's personal jewelry collection. Including stones from his late mother's collection allowed Harry to keep her memory woven into this new chapter of his life.
The complete design was set on a warm yellow gold band, a metal Meghan has long favored for how well it complements her skin tone. Cleave & Company reportedly confirmed that no exact replicas of the ring would ever be produced, keeping the design one-of-a-kind despite its massive influence on the jewelry world.
How the Ring Changed Engagement Trends
That influence has been significant. Industry experts note that Meghan's ring helped reignite interest in three-stone settings, which had once been considered more old-fashioned, and turned them into a symbol of romance and personal storytelling. It also contributed to a broader shift toward diamonds with meaningful origins — whether tied to family heritage, travel, or a couple's shared history — rather than stones chosen purely for size or sparkle. The ring's cushion cut, known for its soft, rounded edges and vintage character, also saw a renewed surge in popularity following its debut.
From Royal Jewels to Budget Replicas
The affordable end of the market took notice too. Not long after the engagement was announced, Buckingham Palace's own gift shop began selling a budget-friendly version of the design for around $40, allowing fans everywhere to recreate a piece of the look for themselves.
The Ring Today
Since then, Meghan has also updated her ring, adding a slimmer band and pairing it within a wider stack, but the original three-stone design remains the one most associated with her love story and continues to inspire couples designing their own engagement rings today.
Key Takeaways
- Meghan Markle's engagement ring debuted publicly on November 27, 2017, during the couple's official engagement photocall at Kensington Palace.
- Prince Harry personally designed the ring with British jewelers Cleave & Company, who also served Queen Elizabeth II.
- The center stone is a roughly three-carat cushion-cut diamond sourced from Botswana, a country meaningful to the couple's relationship.
- Two smaller diamonds on either side came from Princess Diana's personal jewelry collection, honoring Harry's late mother.
- The ring is set on a yellow gold band, a metal choice suited to Meghan's personal style.
- The design helped popularize three-stone settings and diamonds with sentimental or location-based origins in modern engagement ring trends.
- A budget replica was sold through Buckingham Palace's gift shop shortly after the engagement was announced.
- Meghan has since updated her ring with additional bands, though the original three-stone design remains her most iconic look.
