Meghan Markle’s Favorite Jewelry and the Stories Behind Her Precious Pieces: Princess Diana Heirlooms, Upgraded Engagement Ring and More
Meghan Markle may have left her royal duties behind in 2020, but she still managed to get her hands on some of the Windsor family’s precious heirlooms. Since marrying Prince Harry, the Duchess of Sussex has become a style icon akin to her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, encouraging royal fans to scour the internet for Markle’s favorite pieces, including jewelry.
Over the years, the American Riviera Orchard founder has sported her fair share of gold, diamonds and other rare gems — some of which she inherited from Diana. Below, a list of Markle’s coveted bijoux and some of the brands she loves most.
More from WWD
Engagement Ring
Upon their engagement in 2017, Prince Harry surprised Markle with diamonds from his mother’s personal collection. The Duchess’ engagement ring, crafted by Cleave & Company, features a 3-carat cushion-cut center stone sourced from Botswana, which is flanked by two smaller diamonds from a brooch that belonged to Princess Diana. Originally set in gold, Markle’s sparkler got an upgrade in 2019 when the Duchess had it replaced with a pave band, upping the ring’s value to around $200,000.
Princess Diana’s Aquamarine Ring
Markle was first seen wearing Princess Diana’s aquamarine ring on her wedding day, May 19, 2018. The Duchess paired her “something blue” with a white Stella McCartney gown at her reception. She’s since worn the massive bauble (which is estimated to weigh anywhere from 13 to 30 carats) on multiple occasions, including during a royal tour of Tonga in 2018.
The emerald-cut aquamarine was gifted to Diana by her friend Lucia Flecha de Lima. In 1996, Asprey mounted it onto a gold setting, placing the stone between three symmetrical rows of small solitaire diamonds.
The piece has been referred to as Diana’s “replacement” engagement ring, as she wore it on her left ring finger following her divorce from Prince Charles. The Princess of Wales was photographed wearing the aquamarine just twice before her death, and it also came in a set that included a five-strand pearl bracelet. Today, the ring is valued at approximately $90,000.
Princess Diana’s Gold Cuff Bracelet
In 2018, the Duchess debuted Diana’s gold cuff on the first day of her royal tour of Australia with Prince Harry. The ribbed bracelet is adorned with two cabochon sapphires and small diamonds. Markle later wore the heirloom at the London premiere of Cirque du Soleil’s Totem in 2019 and at the 2022 NAACP Image Awards.
Diana was initially spotted wearing the bracelet in 1990, when she visited The Lord Gage Centre for the elderly in London. Four years later, she re-wore it to attend an Alfred Dunhill event in the upscale neighborhood of Mayfair. Now, the bracelet is estimated to be worth $30,000.
Princess Diana’s Diamond Tennis Bracelet
Markle has worn Diana’s tennis bracelet on several occasions since 2018. Notably, it appeared on the Duchess’ wrist during her televised interview with Oprah in 2021. People reported that the couple decided together that Markle would wear the bracelet so that “Diana could be with them” at the taping.
According to CBS News, Prince Harry had two diamonds removed from the Cartier piece to create Markle’s engagement ring. The single-strand bracelet features approximately 20 carats of diamonds, with its value estimated at $150,000.
Diana was photographed wearing the bracelet at a preview of her 1997 Christie’s dress auction in London, as well as at a Red Cross gala earlier that year.
Diamond and Pearl Earrings Gifted by Queen Elizabeth II
Ahead of her first official royal engagement alongside Queen Elizabeth II in 2018, the monarch gifted Markle with a pair of pearl and diamond earrings. That day, they attended the opening of the Mersey Gateway bridge and visited the Storyhouse Theater.
“We had breakfast together that morning, and she’d given me a beautiful gift, and I just really loved being in her company,” the Duchess told Oprah in 2021. “She gave me some beautiful pearl earrings and a matching necklace.”
It’s been speculated that the earrings came from Her Majesty’s personal collection, though this hasn’t been confirmed.
Notably, Markle paid tribute to her grandmother-in-law by wearing them at the Queen’s memorial service and funeral in 2022.
Birks
The Duchess of Sussex first discovered Birks while living in Toronto, where “Suits” was filmed. She was introduced to the company through her friend and stylist, Jessica Mulroney. Today, Markle has several Birks pieces in her collection, including earrings and bracelets.
“We’ve been very lucky,” Jean-Christophe Bédos, president and chief executive of Birks Group Inc., told the New York Times in 2018. “Her impact on Birks can be measured on a global scale; she accelerated brand awareness, especially in the United States and the United Kingdom.”
Founded by British immigrant Henry Birks in 1879, the luxury jeweler debuted its iconic blue box — akin to Tiffany’s trademark packaging — in 1920.
On the day of her engagement announcement in 2017, Markle wore a pair of yellow gold and opal earrings ($930) by Birks.
The Duchess also has a few stackable Birks rings in her jewelry box, having worn the brand’s hexagonal Bee Chic and Snowflake bands ($2,800 and $4,700) at Trooping the Colour in 2018. Both diamond-encrusted pieces feature 18-karat gold settings.
For one of her final public engagements as a working royal in 2020, Markle selected a pair of Birks Snowflake earrings ($11,800), adorned with 136 diamonds and set in 18-karat white gold.
Pippa Small
Pippa Small is another one of Markle’s favorite jewelers. Founded in London in 2007, the brand specializes in ethically made gold pieces crafted by local artisans from Asia and South America.
Markle has since been spotted in several Pippa Small pieces, wearing them at royal events and on television. She sported a set of diamond jewelry ($775 to $5,000) by the brand at Princess Eugenie’s wedding in 2018, and for her 2021 Oprah interview, she paired a Pippa Small aquamarine pendant necklace ($2,150) with her floral Armani dress.
Cartier
The Duchess is a longtime fan of Cartier: she’s owned one of the brand’s signature gold Love bangles ($4,750 and up) since at least 2011, nearly a decade before she married into the royal family. She even wore the brand on her wedding day, selecting a diamond-encrusted bracelet ($150,000) at the ceremony and matching drop earrings ($66,000) for the reception.
Founded in 1847 by jeweler and watchmaker Louis-Fran?ois Cartier, the luxury house is considered one of the world’s most prestigious brands. Known for catering to royal and celebrity clientele, Cartier specializes in quality gemstones and timepieces.
Other Cartier pieces in Markle’s jewelry box include the Juste Un Clou collar ($16,200) which she wore for her latest television appearance on Sunday, and a pair of diamond Galanterie studs, worth $16,200.
Markle also owns two Cartier Tank Fran?aise watches. The Duchess’ plans on passing down her yellow gold and steel timepiece, which costs more than $5,000, to her daughter. It also features custom engraving that reads “To M.M. From M.M.”
“I’ve always coveted the Cartier French Tank watch. When I found out ‘Suits’ had been picked up for our third season — which, at the time, felt like such a milestone — I totally splurged and bought the two-tone version,” Markle told Hello! in 2015.
Markle’s second Cartier Tank once belonged to Princess Diana. Prince Harry reportedly gifted the yellow gold heirloom to his wife, and she was first seen wearing it publicly in 2020. The same model currently retails for upwards of $22,000, though given its historical value, Diana’s watch is likely worth much more. The late Princess of Wales also owned a Cartier Tank with a black leather strap.
Meghan Markle’s Jewelry, A Closer Look at Pieces Passed Down From Princess Diana & More [PHOTOS]
Launch Gallery: Meghan Markle's Favorite Jewelry, Including Pieces Passed Down From Princess Diana [PHOTOS]
Best of WWD
