In a recent turn of events, Meghan Markle has found herself at the center of a new controversy surrounding her engagement ring.

Photos taken on August 10th in Montecito, California, showed the Duchess of Sussex without her custom three-stone engagement ring worth a staggering $180,000.

This notable absence has sparked speculation about the state of her marriage to Prince Harry and the involvement of Queen Elizabeth II.

The missing engagement ring, which featured diamonds from Princess Diana’s jewelry collection, has raised eyebrows and fueled rumors about the couple’s relationship.

It was once a staple of Meghan’s wardrobe and ensembles, but now its absence has become a topic of discussion.

Could this be a sign of strain in their marriage?

Adding fuel to the fire, a photo posted on a friend’s Instagram account showed Meghan without her engagement ring.

Cady Lee shared an image of herself, Meghan, and Cleo Wade, with the former “Suits” star noticeably lacking the diamond ring that Prince Harry gave her in 2017.

Speculation has emerged that the late Queen forced Meghan to return both her wedding and engagement rings after the couple stepped back from their royal duties, replacing them with replicas upon their departure from the UK.

This isn’t the first time Meghan has been accused of taking items without permission.

During her time in the UK, there were allegations that she used a “five-finger discount” to acquire a pair of Diana’s earrings and even stole some jewelry from Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge.

These claims have added to the narrative that Meghan’s behavior was problematic during her tenure as a member of the royal family.

The rumor mill suggests that the Queen took back the engagement ring to save the two stones from Diana’s ring for Harry.

However, many royal fans find it hard to believe that the Queen would take back a wedding ring.

They argue that Meghan would have made a public outcry if it had been forcibly taken from her by the late Queen.

The Sussexes have recently faced strains on their marriage, although they have vehemently denied any claims of trouble.

According to Radar Online, they have been worn down by public backlash, failed business deals, and public disputes with their loved ones.

The pressure to fund their lavish lifestyle in California, including their $14 million mansion and extensive security costs, has added to their financial burden.

This financial stress, combined with emotional issues, has likely made life extremely challenging for the couple.

While they have denied reports of a trial separation, sources close to them confirm that they did spend some time apart.

Harry recently traveled to Tokyo, where he enjoyed a vacation with his polo-playing friend Ignacio Nacho Figueras and attended the ISPS Sports Values Summit.

Meghan hasn’t been seen wearing the engagement ring since at least May.

She was photographed without it while hiking in California, just hours after missing Prince Charles III’s coronation, and even during her controversial appearance at the Miss Foundation’s Women of Vision Awards.

These instances have only fueled speculation about the state of their marriage, especially as they are expected to attend the Invictus Games together in Germany on September 9th.

The troubles between Team Sussex seem to run deeper than initially reported.

As analysts try to make sense of conflicting reports, the true state of the royal marriage remains uncertain.

One thing is clear, however: Meghan Markle’s engagement ring controversy has exposed a mysterious chapter in her relationship with Prince Harry and shed light on the Queen’s involvement in their tumultuous journey.