Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has been spotted without her engagement ring several times in the past few months, sparking speculation about the reason behind her decision.
According to a report by GB News, the ring, which features two diamonds from the late Princess Diana’s collection, is said to be a source of concern for Prince William, who is protective of his mother’s legacy.
According to Laura Taylor, an engagement ring specialist at Lorel Diamonds, Meghan may be deliberately avoiding wearing the ring to prevent further tension with Prince William, who has reportedly been upset by the way Meghan and Prince Harry have handled their departure from the royal family and their public criticism of the institution.
“Prince William’s concern over the diamonds from his mother’s collection, featured in Meghan’s engagement ring, is understandable.
However, this isn’t the first time Meghan has been seen without her engagement ring, and each time previously the ring has reappeared with Diana’s jewels still intact,” Taylor told GB News.
“Prince William’s worry over Diana’s diamonds may be playing a role in Meghan’s decision to not wear the ring. Meghan may be keeping the ring safe to avoid losing Diana’s diamonds, knowing that if they were misplaced it would put an even bigger strain on the relationship between the two families,” she added.
Taylor also explained that Meghan may have other reasons for not wearing her engagement ring, such as practicality or personal preference. She said that Meghan redesigned the ring in 2019 to include a detailed micro pavé band, which is known to be susceptible to knocks and damage. She also suggested that Meghan may prefer to wear her wedding and eternity rings, which are simpler and more comfortable.
“Meghan’s engagement ring has been missing for a few months, with some sources suggesting it’s simply being repaired.
Given that she redesigned the ring to include a detailed micro pavé band in 2019, which is known to be susceptible to knocks, this theory holds weight and was likely the case to begin with,” Taylor said.
“Considering the intense public focus on the ring lately, I believe that the absence of her engagement ring is now a deliberate choice. People in the spotlight are always a target for thieves so it is likely that the ring is being kept somewhere to ensure it stays safe,” she continued.
Meghan and Harry announced their engagement in November 2017, after dating for a little over a year. Harry proposed with a custom-made ring that he designed himself, using two diamonds from his mother’s jewellery collection and one from Botswana, where they had spent time together. The ring was estimated to be worth around £120,000 at the time.
Prince William and Prince Harry have reportedly had a strained relationship since Harry’s departure from the royal family. The brothers have only met twice in person since then: at their grandfather Prince Philip’s funeral in April 2021 and at the unveiling of a statue of their mother Princess Diana in July 2021. Both occasions were marked by apparent tension and awkwardness between them.
