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Where's the Sparkle, Meghan Markle? Duchess Spotted Without Engagement Ring at Event Leaving Sussex Fans Worried

Meghan Markle stepped out without her engagement ring to an event in Santa Barbara, Calif., without Prince Harry.

Meghan Markle decided to ditch the sparkle for a solo outing to the International Day of the Girl event in Santa Barbara, Calif., on October 2.

The trip is making headlines due to the Duchess once again presumably ditching her diamond engagement ring.

The ex-actress dressed down in a blue button-down shirt, white pants and a group of bracelets. The Duchess did wear her wedding band to the event, which caused many Sussex fans to breathe a sigh of relief, although many others still had questions about the "odd choice."

Someone wrote on X, "I find this odd because usually Meghan always wears her engagement ring unless she is at a hospital for safety reasons for the patients."

Another stated, "If this wasn’t filmed last week I would wonder if Meghan is copying Catherine again by not wearing her engagement ring and just her wedding and eternity band."

Others took a more direct approach and bluntly responded, "I don't think she's ever liked her engagement ring. Not big and flashy enough for her. Even after she had the band altered."

Another observed, "Meghan Markle always seemed to be embarrassed by her engagement ring — Harry's design."

This news comes amid scathing reports that suggest Meghan "has nearly lost her mind trying to reach Hollywood A-list status," a Hollywood insider shared.

With Tinseltown "not that interested," the rogue Duchess' "ultimate aim seems to be to make herself relevant and to transform herself into American royalty who is admired and powerful, independent of her husband," psychologist Dr. Robi Ludwig told an outlet.

"Whether this will be successful remains to be seen, as the public has not always been receptive to many aspects of her character and personality," the therapist added.

The former Suits supporting player ignited conversation when she made a surprise red carpet appearance for the Children's Hospital Los Angeles 2024 gala event on October 5, three days after the Santa Barbara event, and again without her Duke. Wearing a red Carolina Herrera dress she first donned in 2021, the British royal by marriage "seemed lost" and struggled with "how to hold her hands since they are typically glued to Harry at these things," a commenter on X described.

This led Dr. Ludwig to further add, "Wearing red is a powerful, boss lady color. It says, 'I'm here, I'm not hiding, and I’m ready to assume my position of power.' Wearing red often symbolizes attraction, confidence and empowerment. The 'red dress effect' studies found that red enhances the male gaze and encourages men to find women wearing red more appealing."

This insight about the Sussex Hollywood freeze-out picking up steam again comes after the royal rebels' attempt to transition into influencers and "health and wellness gurus" with Meghan's American Riviera Orchard.

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GBN reported on Meghan's missing ring.