29 February 2024 , 00:04
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When Prince Harry popped the question to Meghan Markle her incredible engagement ring was crafted in a setting that included two diamonds that belonged to his late mother Princess Diana.
Harry lovingly designed the piece himself giving it not just a huge monetary value but also an incredible sentimental worth. But the lavish item doesn't come without it's problems - the upkeep is an ongoing issue according to a jewellery expert. Meghan has even altered the design herself over the years with it undergoing a transformation just under two years after the Duke Of Sussex proposed to her.
The ring was originally comprised of a thick gold band with three diamonds in a row, before Meghan had it reset to feature a far thinner diamond-studded micro-pave gold band. When the couple gave their engagement interview back in 2017 Harry divulged how he had chosed the band for her ring inspired by her jewellery collection.
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Harry lovingly designed the ring for Meghan (AFP/Getty Images)The ring was designed using the help of Cleave & Company, the late Queen Elizabeth’s regular jeweller. At the time Harry said of the ring: "The ring is obviously yellow gold because that's her favourite and the main stone itself I sourced from Botswana and the little diamonds either side are from my mother's jewellery collection, to make sure she's with us on this crazy journey together."
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At the time, editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine, Ingrid Seward, told Fabulous she "found it odd" that the Duchess of Sussex would change her engagement ring.
When Meghan opted to alter the ring the editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine expressed her bewilderment at Meghan changing the precious design. She said: "I find it a bit odd Meghan would want to alter a ring that her husband had especially designed for her. A royal engagement ring is a piece of history not a bit of jewellery to be updated when it looks old fashioned."
The ring is thought to be worth 120k (AFP via Getty Images)Meghan's ring is thought to be valued upwards of £120,000. Ben Roberts, Managing Director of Clogau who have famously created the Welsh gold the royals usually use to make their rings since 1923, has revealed how ring maintenance is often a tough job. He previously told Hello! magazine of Kate Middleton ’s 12-carat sapphire engagement ring: "Even without any alterations, caring for an heirloom of such value comes with its own challenges.
"Kate and her team will need to employ careful maintenance, with regular inspections and in-depth evaluations, gentle cleaning to restore sheen, and, if necessary, expert repairs to ensure its longevity. That way, she can continue to wear it every day and maintain a constant connection to the past while grounding her in the present as a beloved senior member of the Royal Family."