When Prince Harry knelt on one knee at Nottingham Cottage back in 2017, he wasn't just holding a piece of jewelry. He was holding a piece of history. But if you look at photos of the Duchess today, that "history" looks a lot different than it did during the televised engagement photocall. Honestly, the Meghan Markle ring before and after transition has become a bit of a saga in royal-watching circles. It isn't just about one simple resize. We are talking about a full-on evolution that has seen at least four major iterations over the last decade.
Some people think it’s a bit weird to mess with a ring your husband custom-designed for you. Others say it’s just a vibe shift—part of her move into "quiet luxury" and life in Montecito. Whether you’re a fan or a critic, the changes are undeniable. The original solid gold band is long gone, and as of late 2025, even the center stone itself looks like it’s been through a major glow-up.
The Original Design: A Botswana Dream
Let’s go back to the beginning. Harry didn't just walk into a shop and pick something off the shelf. He worked with Cleave & Company, the late Queen’s personal jewelers.
The original ring was classic. It featured a central, three-carat cushion-cut diamond that Harry sourced himself from Botswana. Why Botswana? Because that’s where the couple really fell in love under the stars. Flanking that center stone were two smaller round diamonds. These weren't just any diamonds—they came from Princess Diana’s personal collection.
"The little diamonds on either side are from my mother’s jewelry collection to make sure she’s with us on this crazy journey together," Harry told the BBC.
At the time, the band was a thick, solid yellow gold. Simple. Sturdy. Traditional. Meghan called it "incredible" and "perfect." But perfect doesn't always stay the same.
The First Big Shift: The 2019 Micro-Pavé Update
The first time the world noticed a real Meghan Markle ring before and after moment was at the 2019 Trooping the Colour. This was shortly after Archie was born.
The solid yellow gold band was gone. In its place? A much thinner, daintier micro-pavé diamond band. It was sparkly. It was modern. It was very "L.A."
People initially speculated that Meghan had it changed because her fingers swelled during pregnancy. That’s a real thing, by the way. But the book Finding Freedom by Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand later revealed that the redesign was actually a surprise gift from Harry for their first anniversary. He worked with celebrity jeweler Lorraine Schwartz to "resize and reset" the ring.
Harry also added an eternity band to the stack at this time. This wasn't just more bling; it was a "conflict-free" piece featuring the birthstones of Meghan (emerald), Archie (peridot), and Harry (sapphire) on the underside. Kinda sweet, right?
2022 to 2025: More Diamonds and the "Emerald Cut" Mystery
Things got even more interesting around the 2022 Invictus Games. Jewelry experts noticed that the setting seemed to have changed again. Some eagle-eyed fans pointed out that the center stone looked like it had been surrounded by even more tiny diamonds on the hidden gallery (the part under the stone).
But the biggest shocker came recently.
In the trailer for her Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, which debuted late last year, the ring looks... different. It’s not just the band anymore. The center stone, which was once a soft, rounded cushion cut, now appears to be a much sharper, square-like emerald cut.
What Actually Changed in the Latest Version?
- The Shape: The original cushion cut had rounded corners. The new version seen in 2025/2026 has the distinct "hall of mirrors" look of an emerald or radiant cut.
- The Size: While the original was roughly 3 carats, this new stone looks significantly more substantial.
- The Setting: It appears the side stones—the ones from Diana—are still there, but they might have been reset to accommodate the new center shape.
There’s a lot of debate on whether this is the actual Botswana stone that was somehow recut (which would be risky) or if she’s upgraded the center stone entirely while keeping the Diana diamonds as the sentimental anchor.
Why Do People Care So Much?
Jewelry in the Royal Family is rarely just "jewelry." It’s legacy. When Meghan changed the band in 2019, royal experts like Ingrid Seward called it "odd." The argument was that a royal engagement ring is a piece of history, not a fashion accessory to be updated when the trends change.
But let’s be real. Meghan isn't a "working royal" in the traditional sense anymore. She’s building a brand in California where "quiet luxury" and high-end sparkle are the currency. The transition from a traditional gold band to a high-carat, emerald-cut look reflects her evolution from a newcomer in the Windsor fold to a woman who is firmly in control of her own image.
The Current Value of the "After" Ring
Back in 2017, the ring was valued at roughly £120,000 to £150,000.
Now? With the pavé band, the potential center stone upgrade, and the sheer "fame" of the piece, some experts, like Maxwell Stone from Steven Stone, estimate the value has skyrocketed. We are likely looking at a piece worth over £300,000 (about $380,000).
It’s also about the stack. Meghan often wears three rings together:
- The updated engagement ring.
- Her Welsh gold wedding band (a gift from Queen Elizabeth II).
- The Lorraine Schwartz eternity band.
Sometimes she switches the order. Traditionally, the wedding band goes on first (closest to the heart), then the engagement ring. Meghan flips them all the time. She does what she wants, basically.
Summary of the Ring’s Evolution
If you're trying to track the Meghan Markle ring before and after timeline, it looks something like this:
- Nov 2017: The Original. Cushion-cut Botswana diamond, two Diana diamonds, solid yellow gold band.
- May 2019: The "First Anniversary" Upgrade. The gold band is replaced with a thin diamond micro-pavé band. The eternity ring is added.
- April 2022: The "Invictus" Tweak. Extra diamonds possibly added to the basket/under-gallery of the setting.
- Late 2025/2026: The "Netflix" Era. The center stone appears to be an emerald cut, signaling a major aesthetic shift.
What You Can Learn from the Meghan Markle Redesign
You don't have to be a Duchess to take inspiration from this. Many people are now looking at their own "before and after" options for heirloom jewelry.
If you’re thinking about a redesign, keep these tips in mind:
- Keep the Sentimental Core: Meghan kept the Diana diamonds even when changing everything else. If you have an heirloom, keep the stones but change the metal.
- Think About Comfort: Thinner pavé bands are trendy, but they can be more fragile than solid gold. If you’re active, a solid band might actually be better.
- The Power of the Stack: You don't always need to change the engagement ring. Adding an eternity band or a unique wedding band can totally change the look of the "before" ring.
The Duchess has shown that a ring doesn't have to be a static object. It can grow and change as the marriage does. Whether you think it’s a breach of tradition or a modern masterstroke, it’s definitely one of the most talked-about pieces of jewelry in the world for a reason.
If you're looking to replicate the look, search for "cushion-cut trilogy rings" for the original vibe, or "emerald-cut pavé engagement rings" if you prefer the current, more modern Meghan.
Next Steps for Your Own Jewelry:
- Audit Your Heirlooms: Check if any stones can be repurposed into a modern setting similar to the "trilogy" style.
- Consult a Custom Jeweler: If you want a pavé band like Meghan's, ask about "micro-prong" settings for better durability.
- Research Botswana Diamonds: If the ethical sourcing aspect of her ring appealed to you, look for retailers that provide GIA certificates specifying Botswana as the origin.