Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, recently appeared at a screening of the documentary "Cookie Queens" in Los Angeles, sporting new jewelry and notably without her engagement ring. This marks the fourth consecutive month the ring, a significant piece designed with input from Prince Harry, has been absent from her public appearances.
On her left hand, Markle wore a diamond-encrusted Oura smart ring, a device that tracks vital signs, sleep quality, and stress levels. Prince Harry is also known to use this brand. On her right hand, she displayed a new, unidentified gold band alongside a large, five-carat pear-cut diamond ring. This five-carat ring was first observed in February 2026, and at the time, a jewelry expert suggested it could symbolize self-love or an evolution of her personal style.
Markle's engagement ring was last publicly seen in February 2026 at an NBA game. Its absence was also noted at a March charity event and during the Sussexes' tour of Australia in the following month. Jewelry expert Trang Do has previously commented that rings worn on the right hand can signify independence and personal power, suggesting the pear-shaped diamond could represent a personal milestone or a new chapter for Markle.
In addition to the Oura ring and the right-hand rings, Markle wore two other items from designer Logan Hollowell: the Leo constellation ring, referencing her August 4 birthdate, and the Lovers Duet Diamond and Emerald necklace, priced at over $21,150.
Prince Harry proposed to Markle eight years ago with an engagement ring designed by Cleave & Company, incorporating diamonds from his mother Princess Diana's bracelet. The ring's design has reportedly been altered multiple times since its creation. Initial modifications around 2019 included a thinner band and small diamonds along the sides, a style some experts described as more American. Later, speculation arose about further alterations, including adding diamonds to the setting and potentially changing the central stone's cut from cushion to emerald. In 2023, the ring was absent from several appearances, with reports suggesting a loose stone was being repaired, which some interpreted as another alteration.
During the "Cookie Queens" screening, Markle also participated in a Q&A where she shared Prince Harry's advice for handling difficult times. She recalled his analogy of a helicopter pilot, explaining that "above the storm, the sun is always shining," a perspective that encourages "zooming out" to maintain hope.
"Cookie Queens" follows the journey of young Girl Scouts during their cookie-selling season. The screening also coincided with the unveiling of Markle's new fruit spread product, "our newest pantry favorite," made with blackberries, though it was not available for purchase at the time of the event.