Meghan Markle goes without her engagement ring during royal tour of Africa
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Meghan Markle and Prince Harry began their first official tour as a family on Monday, accompanied by their 4-month-old son, Archie.
However, while many eyes were on the royals' outing, some eagle-eyed observers couldn't help but notice that the Duchess of Sussex forewent her engagement ring for the trip.
According to Page Six, the 38-year-old former actress left her three-diamond ring (reportedly valued at around $295,000) and matching eternity band at home, opting instead to wear her gold Welsh wedding band along with another dainty gold ring (worth $250).
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}MEGHAN MARKLE WEARS $85 DRESS DURING ROYAL TOUR OF AFRICA
Meghan Markle attends Heritage Day public holiday celebrations in Cape Town Tuesday. (Photo by Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage)
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A source told Hello! that Markle stepped out without her ring because she wants to be "low key" while doing meet and greets with the public.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Royal expert and writer Daniela Elser further explained in an article for news.com.au that "Meghan’s choice to forgo this expensive item reflects the inherent tension in being a member of the royal family.
"That is, you might be a member of an obscenely rich clan, but you are never meant to flaunt that wealth," wrote Elser, adding that "appearing humble is a key job requirement for any working royal, even though you live in a castle and your family has a vault stuffed with priceless jewels."
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"The very fact Meghan was adroit enough to realize that and quietly left her rock elsewhere, I think, is a powerful signal," added Elser. "Firstly, of just how conscious she is about making others comfortable, secondly, that she is sensationally savvy image-wise and third, that she is more than happy to rewrite the rule book."
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend a reception for young people, community and civil society leaders at the Residence of the British High Commissioner, during the royal tour of South Africa on September 24, 2019 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Facundo Arrizabalaga - Pool/Getty Images)
On Tuesday, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited South Africa's oldest mosque -- the 225-year-old Auwal Mosque in Cape Town. The royal couple kicked off their tour on Monday with visits to girls' empowerment projects that teach rights and self-defense.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Meghan and Harry's 10-day tour includes scheduled stops in Botswana, Angola and Malawi with a focus on wildlife protection, mental health and mine clearance.
The Associated Press contributed to this report