Eagle-eyed fans notice Meghan Markle isn't wearing engagement ring on South Africa tour

Eagle-eyed royal fans have noticed that the Duchess of Sussex has removed her engagement ring for the royal tour of South Africa.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex kick-started the 10-day trip yesterday morning but the new mother has yet to be photographed wearing the ring Harry gave her.

Yesterday, the royal dressed diplomatically in a £69 dress by sustainable Malawi brand, Mayamiko, with nothing but her Welsh wedding ring and a separate thin gold band on her ring finger.

This morning, the former actress cut a more casual figure for a trip to Monwabisi Beach to visit Waves For Change in double denim.

READ MORE: Meghan Markle dresses down in denim for second day of royal tour

Once again, her engagement ring was missing and instead, the 38-year-old chose to don a new $250 Jennifer Meyer turquoise ring (approximately £200) to match her earrings.

The reason why the Duchess of Sussex has eschewed her engagement ring so far on the trip has yet to be confirmed but speculation is rife that the royal is wanting to keep her appearance “low key”.

Royal commentator, Richard Fitzwilliams, told Yahoo UK, “When planning what to wear and what is appropriate for which event on a royal tour, it’s important that it in no way detracts from any message the royal wishes to convey.”

“In this historic tour, as we saw yesterday, Meghan is visiting deprived areas such as Nyanga, which also has an extremely high crime rate,” he continued. “She very sensibly has decided that wearing her beautiful engagement ring might be construed as ostentatious which would not be appropriate.”

Fitzwilliams also pointed out that wearing her royal jewels may well distract attention away from the couple’s charity work while on tour.

“It is her theme to empower women from all backgrounds and ages, the passion with which she gets it across and the way she puts her audience, from whatever background, at ease, that counts,” Fitzwilliams added.

“Not wearing her engagement ring is unusual but makes sense, as on this tour diamonds, however beguiling their glitter, would be far too distracting.”

In recent months, Meghan has been regularly wearing her engagement ring for both public and private engagements.

The royal’s engagement ring could clearly be seen as she cheered on friend Serena Williams at the US Open on September 7.

Meghan later wore the iconic piece to launch the Smart Works collection in London on September 12.

The Duchess of Sussex’s engagement ring was produced by the Queen’s go-to jeweller, Cleave and Company, and designed by Prince Harry using ethically-sourced stones from Botswana.

READ MORE: Baby Archie given a South African name during royal tour

In a sentimental gesture, the centre stone is flanked with two round diamonds from a brooch which once belonged to his late mother, Princess Diana.

Adding to her regal collection, Prince Harry also gifted his wife an eternity ring to mark their wedding anniversary on May 19 - which also also been absent from the trip so far.

READ MORE: The best royal tour outfits of all time

The only other time in which Meghan has been photographed sans engagement ring was during her pregnancy.

While expecting Archie, the Duchess of Sussex regularly stepped out in just her Cleave and Company gold wedding band - most likely due to her fingers swelling.

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