Meghan Markle's Engagement Ring Was Made With Diamonds From Princess Diana's Collection

After Prince Harry and Meghan Markle officially announced their engagement Monday, they posed for official photos in Kensington Palace's Sunken Garden. When the photos were released, all eyes were on what Markle was wearing and the new ring on her left hand—and it's jewelry truly fit for a princess.

According to People, the three-stone diamond ring was custom designed by Prince Harry. It features one large diamond in the center with two stones set on opposite side. Those two smaller stones are truly precious: they were once part of his mother, Princess Diana's personal collection.

The center diamond on Markle's ring also holds sentimental value for 33-year-old Harry because it originated in Botswana. He has professed a love for the country and spent plenty of time there. And this summer, Harry brought Markle along for a trip to Africa, which included a visit to Botswana.

Markle's ring was crafted by London's Cleave & Company, jewelers who have designed a number of pieces for Harry's grandmother Queen Elizabeth.

While the masses are only just now finding out about the couple's engagement, Kensington Palace announced Monday that Harry actually popped the question earlier in the month. They are expected to wed sometime in the spring of 2018, after which the newlyweds will live in Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace.

The couple's engagement comes after they dated for more than a year and a half. They began seeing each other after Markle, an American actress, was introduced to Harry through mutual friends in July 2016. It took nearly a year, though, for Harry and Markle to make their first public appearance together, which occurred in July 2017 at Harry's charity sporting event, the Invictus Games, in Toronto.

Engagement rumors began swirling months ago after Markle announced she would not be continuing her role as Rachel Zane in the USA drama series Suits, which is currently in production for season seven. The 36-year-old then moved to the U.K. in early November.

The royal family appeared to be thrilled by the couple's engagement. In a statement, Buckingham Palace said that "The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh are delighted for the couple and wish them every happiness," read a statement from Buckingham Palace.

Harry's older brother, Prince William, and his wife, Kate Middleton, also released a statement sharing their joy for the bride and groom-to be. "We are very excited for Harry and Meghan. It has been wonderful getting to know Meghan and to see how happy she and Harry are together," the statement read.

When William proposed to Middleton in 2010, he gifted her with the same stunner his father offered Princess Diana when they got engaged in 1981: a 12-carat sapphire encased in 14 diamonds crafted by British jewelers Garrard & Co.