Sapphire sparkler: Kate Middleton’s engagement ring remains the royal gold standard after 15 years. Pictured, the couple announcing their engagement in November 2010
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Fifteen years ago this month, Prince William jetted off to Kenya with his long-term girlfriend Kate Middleton. The pair came back engaged, sparking a wave of fervent excitement as royal watchers braced themselves for the wedding of the century. (And royal insiders frantically checked their mailboxes, hopeful for an invitation). Finding an engagement ring that could live up to such a moment was a difficult task. Fortunately, Prince William had inherited the world’s most iconic gem: a 12-carat opal-cut sapphire that had once belonged to his beloved mother, Princess Diana.
Kate Middleton’s engagement ring was – and is – simply dazzling. The central stone, sourced from Sri Lanka and playfully nicknamed ‘big blue’, is surrounded by 14 spectacular round-cut diamonds and set in white gold. For the photoshoot and interview announcing their engagement, Kate Middleton chose to emphasise the deep blue of the stone by wearing a sapphire-blue wrap dress by Issa. Standing arm-in-arm with her husband-to-be, the future Duchess of Cambridge (now Princess of Wales) proudly showcased her newest accessory. The one that sent a message to the world that she would one day be queen.