Meghan Markle spotted again without iconic engagement ring

According to Hello magazine, the Duchess visited Girls, Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara, a leadership organization for girls in California, in honor of International Day of the Girl on Oct. 11.

Wearing high-waisted cream trousers and a relaxed blue linen shirt, Meghan completed her look with tan pointed-toe pumps and a caramel-hued leather belt that accentuated her waist.

Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, at Girls, Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara. Photo from Instagram/_duchess_of_sussex

However, her iconic three-diamond engagement ring, designed by Prince Harry, was notably absent. Instead, Meghan wore a silver pavé diamond ring stacked with her gold wedding band.

This isn’t the first time Meghan has been seen without the symbolic engagement ring, which features two diamonds from Princess Diana’s personal collection. She was first spotted without it at the 2023 Women of Vision Awards in May, a trend that has continued. In January, at a film premiere in Kingston, Jamaica, she was seen wearing it again after an eight-month gap.

David Allen, a jewelry expert from 77 Diamonds, previously estimated that a ring of similar size and quality would be worth around 50,000 pounds (US$65,300). With the addition of Princess Diana’s diamonds, however, its value is "of inestimable worth," he said.

Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, Photo from Instagram/meghanmarkle__duchess

While the reason behind Meghan’s decision to occasionally leave her engagement ring at home remains unclear, some sources suggest she prefers a more understated appearance during public outings.

Meghan, 43, was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. Best known for her role in the American legal drama "Suits," she retired from acting after marrying Prince Harry, 40, in 2018.

The couple stepped down from their royal duties in 2020 and relocated to Meghan’s native Southern California, where they launched Archewell Inc., an organization that combines for-profit ventures with charitable work.