Meghan Markle has been married to Prince Harry for a little over a year and has been under intense scrutiny the entire time. From her fashion choices to the events she chooses to attend, Markle has caused more than a few eyebrows to raise.
Many fans question whether or not she is as much of a royal rule-breaker as she is portrayed in the media, but one thing seems clear: Markle is living life on her terms. Recently, eagle-eyed members of the public spotted something that could cause Markle to receive even more negative press shortly.
What’s the story behind Meghan Markle’s engagement ring?
Markle and Prince Harry started dating in the summer of 2016 and had instant chemistry. Reportedly, they met through a mutual friend and by the fall of that year, rumors first started to swirl that the redheaded royal was dating the Suits actress.
Over the next few months, Markle and Prince Harry conducted their romance as under the radar as possible, as Markle met the royal family and flew all over the world with her new suitor. Engagement rumors were everywhere, and in November 2017, the two officially announced their engagement.
It’s part of the royal tradition for the newly engaged couple to step out in public and be photographed, in order to formally announce the joyous occasion. When Prince Harry and Markle emerged on that chilly November morning, all eyes were on the smiling couple — and on Markle’s stunning engagement ring. In short order, the details about her ring were revealed: the three-stone diamond ring is a custom piece from the famed British jewelry company Cleave and Company.
The ring has a great deal of sentimental value to the couple. The two smaller stones on either side of the large stone belonged to Prince Harry’s mother, Princess Diana, while the larger center stone is ethically sourced from Botswana, a country where the couple spent a lot of time together.
Did Meghan Markle upgrade her engagement ring?
During a recent appearance, a few fans noticed that Markle’s beautiful ring had undergone a significant change. It appeared as though the original yellow gold band had been replaced with a thinner one made of multiple small diamonds. Needless to say, Markle herself hasn’t commented on the change to her ring, but people have started to weigh in regarding the jewelry update.
What do people think about Meghan Markle upgrading her engagement ring?
A royal expert revealed that he isn’t a fan of Markle changing up her wedding ring for a newer style, stating that he “found it odd” that Markle would want to update the ring in the first place. He went on to say that royal jewelry is pieces of history, and shouldn’t be changed even if they look old-fashioned. Some online critics claimed that the redesigned ring was insulting to Prince Harry, who designed her original ring with such care and devotion.
Although the idea of upgrading a wedding ring might seem out of place in Britain, it is a fairly common practice in the United States. Women commonly change up their wedding ring or band a few years after the marriage or to mark a significant life event in America. In Markle’s case, the upgrade could have taken place in acknowledgment of Baby Archie Harrison. And it was surely done with Prince Harry’s full blessing and approval.
This seems to be another example of Markle’s American traditions not sitting quite right with members of the British press and public. Whether or not they will ever entirely get used to her remains to be seen. But now that she is a mother, perhaps there will be a bit more leniency.
