Meghan Markle spotted without engagement ring at Invictus Games
Meghan Markle has received a rock star welcome from the Aussie team at the Invictus Games, but royal fans noted a glaring absence.
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Meghan Markle has been spotted without her engagement ring at the Invictus Games in Germany.
In a jam-packed day at the event in Dusseldorf, Meghan and Prince Harry wowed fans at the basketball match between Ukraine and Australia where they received a rock star welcome from cheering supporters.
The pair later cheered and sang along to Sweet Caroline during the wheelchair rugby final between Team USA and France, with Meghan wearing a stars and stripes badge given to her by a fan sitting behind her.
However, eagle-eyed observers noted that the radiant Duchess wasn’t wearing the three-stone engagement ring that Prince Harry proposed to her with.
There was an innocent reason for her lavish ring’s absence, according to People magazine.
The custom piece, which was designed by Prince Harry and features two side stones from the late Princess Diana’s jewellery collection, is being repaired due to a loose setting.
Earlier, Meghan appeared slightly taken aback by the rapturous response she received from Aussie fans as she waved to the crowd and punched her hands in the air.
During the game, she chatted to Aussie competitor Laura Reynell, from NSW, about her children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
She said: “Meghan thought it was funny I was wearing the beanie and asked if I was cold. I told her I’m from Oz and always cold.”
Ms Reynell said Meghan spoke about her two young children, who stayed behind in California.
“She was so nice and was talking about her kids,” she said.
“She said the kids are excited about Invictus but they are a bit too young to understand.”
The Duke and Duchess then got into the spirit of the games as they waved their hands from side to side along with the raucous crowd, happily chatting with Aussie team members and supporters.
It was the first time the pair were out on an official engagement together since New York in May.
Meghan wore a J Crew Cardigan with Staud Shorts and Chanel Classic Ballet shoes for the visit while Prince Harry was decked out in a black Invictus Games polo shirt, jeans and sneakers.
The couple appeared on the edge of their seats as Ukraine edged out Australia in a tightly-fought contest on day four of the games.
It comes as a giggling Prince Harry was gifted a pair of Speedos by the Australian team, who handed over the budgie smugglers after he watched them compete in the wheelchair basketball.
The team were keeping up a tradition of handing the Duke a tight fitting pair of bathers at each of the Games.
The Duke and Duchess were also seen talking animatedly to wheelchair athlete Annika Hutsler of the USA.
And the pair grinned as they posed for pictures with children and handed out medals at the Merkur Spiel-Arena.
Ms Markle was also spotted laughing and enjoying the company of British soap star, Beth Herlihy.
On Tuesday, the Duchess of Sussex was reunited with her husband after spending almost a week apart when she joined him at a reception for 1600 Invictus Games athletes and their friends and family.
The Duchess of Sussex arrived in Dusseldorf on Tuesday night local time to join Prince Harry who had earlier flown to the UK for a WellChild charity bash and later a solitary and emotional vigil at the Queen’s final resting place, St George’s Chapel, inside Windsor Castle, on the anniversary of her death.
The Duchess took to the stage at Tuesday night’s reception and apologised to guests for being “a little late to the party”, explaining that she had to make milkshakes and get their children Archie, four, and daughter Lilibet, two, “settled down” before she could fly from LA.
Prince Harry stood beside her clasping his hands and grinning while the Duchess gave a two minute speech to guests.
The event, hosted by Ken Fisher – Chairman and CEO, and Dave Coker, President, Fisher House Foundation – was held at a conference centre inside Dusseldorf airport.
Meghan told the crowd: “It’s so special to be here and I’m sorry I’m a little late for the party.
“Three milkshakes and a school drop-off and I just landed a couple of hours ago.
“I am thrilled that the first event I can do for Invictus is here with all of you.
“It’a amazing and I hear it has got off to a good start so far.”
Prince Harry had earlier been enjoying the Invictus games on his own and sat with friend, BBC presenter JJ Chambers.
It comes as German media outlets have reported that the Duchess will deliver a “very emotional” closing speech during the farewell ceremony.
The Invictus Games, for disabled military veterans, features a host of different sports and challenges and are due to last a week.
The couple’s children, Archie, and Lilibet, remain in the US.
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