The Duchess of Sussex has broken the mould by wearing an accessory traditionally seen on men – and it could be a subtle nod to Princess Diana.
Meghan debuted a signet ring at the Invictus Games, which was a gift from Harry to mark their sixth wedding anniversary.
But it’s no ordinary piece of jewellery, the gold signet ring is engraved with the couple’s royal cypher, a nod to their connection to the monarchy despite their departure from royal duties.
Thought to have been made by royal warrant-holding British jewellers Bentley & Skinner, it features a cursive H and M, which are topped with a coronet with two cross pattées, four fleurs-de-lys and two strawberry leaves.
The couple’s royal monogram was designed following their marriage in 2018 and was used on their previous Sussex Royal website and social media accounts.
Meghan’s choice to flaunt her royal cypher certainly sends a statement. Despite stepping back from royal duties, the ring embodies a sense of regal identity even as she carves out a new path away from the institution.
For the Duchess, jewellery is more than just decoration, it often carries a personal and symbolic meaning and this latest addition to her collection is yet another example of how she weaves sentimentality into her style.
Meghan’s signet ring seems to have the Harry and Meghan’s insignia from their Sussex Royal days
The royal insignia was used by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex when they set up their own royal Instagram
Princess Diana wears a signet ring on her left hand at Guards Polo club in Windsor in 1988
Signet rings have long been associated with aristocracy and power, traditionally worn by men to signify their lineage and status.
Since the mid-1970s, King Charles has worn the same gold signet ring on his left pinky finger that bears the crest of the Prince of Wales.
Last worn by his uncle, the Duke of Windsor, who was Prince of Wales before being crowned, the ring dates back 175 years.
Naturally it’s a style that’s been prevalent in royal families for centuries, but it’s especially symbolic to King Charles, who was given his signet ring by his mother when she gave him the title of Prince of Wales.
The crest features a crown with feathers and the phrase ‘ich dien,’ which translates to ‘I serve,’ a reminder of his service to the country. Since marrying Camilla, he’s worn it stacked with his wedding band.
Princess Diana, too, embraced the tradition, often seen sporting her own signet ring which was given to her as a wedding gift from Charles and added an elegant yet understated touch to her glamorous ensembles.
Diana’s ring, engraved with the crest of the Prince of Wales, signified her heritage and status, but it also became a symbol of her unique and often rebellious approach to royal life.
Meghan is also embracing this subtle act of defiance, making the traditionally male-dominated accessory her own.
It is a reflection of her journey from Hollywood actress to duchess, and now to a woman who is carving her own path while maintaining connections to the past.
Meghan wears her mother-in-law’s gold Cartier tank watch and the signet ring on her right hand at the games in Vancouver, Canada
The Duchess with Prince Harry at a wheelchair basketball match between the USA and Nigeria as part of the event
Meghan waves for fans at the games with her signet ring clear for all to see
By choosing to wear a signet ring Meghan appears to be championing both regal history and personal significance, aligning herself with Princess Diana while also making a modern fashion statement.
Much like Diana, who used her jewellery to communicate messages and honour loved ones, Meghan carefully selects pieces that hold sentimental value.
The choice of a signet ring, a typically masculine accessory, also underscores her penchant for breaking conventions and redefining royal fashion, just as Diana did in her own way.
The tradition of signet rings dates back centuries and they were often used as a seal for important documents. Over time, they became less functional and more of a status symbol, worn by those in positions of power.
In England they became so important that King John used his to seal the Magna Carta in 1215. By the 14th century, it’s said that Edward II declared that all official papers must be signed with the King’s signet ring.
Meghan’s decision to wear one now aligns her with this history while also signalling a modern evolution of the tradition and is yet another way she ties herself to both the history of the monarchy and her evolving narrative as a modern duchess.
Her decision to wear it prominently could be interpreted as Meghan’s way of signalling that she is still a member of the Royal Family, and proudly so. Or as a not-so-subtle way of showing that she will use her royal title if she wants to.
