Proposal season is now. Prince Harry put a great deal of thought around Meghan Markle’s engagement ring before he proposed to the Suits actress earlier this month.
The fifth in the line to the throne, 33, wanted to pay homage to his late mother, Princess Diana, while using a stone from one of his favorite places in the world. The resulting piece–an elegant three-stone diamond ring–was personally crafted by Prince Harry with Queen Elizabeth II’s go-to jeweler, Cleave and Company.
The piece includes one large center stone that the prince secured from Botswana, flanked by two smaller diamonds on the side that came from Diana’s personal collection. (Markle was manicure-ready as one should be for #TheKnotRings.) “The ring is obviously yellow gold, that’s her favorite,” Prince Harry said Monday to BBC. “The main stone itself is from Botswana. And the little diamonds on the side are from my mother’s jewelry box collection to make sure she stays with us.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, London, after the announcement of their engagement. (Photo by Dominic Lipinski/PA Images via Getty Images)
A Forevermark diamond expert tells The Knot a few additional details about the stone shape and size. “The center stone looks to be a cushion-shaped diamond of approximately 2.5-3 carats, flanked by two round brilliant diamonds probably about 0.5 carats each,” a rep says. “The classic three-stone silhouette along with the combination of the cushion and round side diamonds and the yellow gold setting give Meghan’s ring a romantic, heirloom feel.”
The pair, who first started dating in July 2016, initially bonded over their love of humanitarian and activist efforts particularly centered in Africa. Just this past summer, the couple enjoyed a romantic, three-week trek to the continent, visiting countries like Zambia and Botswana, where they stayed for Markle’s 36th birthday. They ended their vacation with a stay by Victoria Falls.
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 27: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce the engagement of Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace on November 27, 2017 in London, England. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been a couple officially since November 2016 and are due to marry in Spring 2018. (Photo by Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage)
According to Clarence House, Harry proposed earlier this month. “His Royal Highness and Ms. Markle became engaged in London earlier this month,” the statement read. “Prince Harry has informed Her Majesty The Queen and other close members of his family. Prince Harry has also sought and received the blessing of Ms. Markle’s parents.”
Harry promised more details about the engagement during a photo call at Kensington Palace on Monday. Markle looked beautiful in a white wrap coat by Canadian brand LINE, which is based in Toronto. She layered the piece over a green dress by P.A.R.O.S.H., paired with nude stilettos by Aquazzura. Harry looked handsome in a navy suit and crisp white oxford.
They sat down with BBC for their first joint interview that night. “It’s beautiful and he designed it,” Markle said of her sparkling new engagement ring. “I think everything about Harry’s thoughtfulness and the inclusion of that… to not be able to meet his mom, to know that she’s a part of this with us.”
