One of the most memorable pieces of jewellery owned by the British royal family currently sits on the hand of Princess Catherine – the sapphire engagement ring.
Royal watchers were buzzing with joy in November 2010, when Kate Middleton returned from her holiday in Kenya with Prince William and a new accessory on her wedding finger.
Prince William and Kate Middleton pose for photographs in St James Palace on November 16, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
The pair were just 28-years-old at the time, confirming their engagement with a photoshoot and tell-all interview.
“We had been talking about marriage for a while, so it wasn’t a massively big surprise. I took her up somewhere nice in Kenya and I proposed,” William told journalist Tom Bradby.
“It was very romantic… There’s a true romantic in there,” Kate added.
While Prince William was nervous to propose, he was more terrified of losing the ring! And for good reason…
The 12-carat opal-cut Ceylon sapphire surrounded by 14 round-cut diamonds, set in 18-carat white gold is not only priceless, but it was owned by William’s late mother, Princess Diana.
A close up of Kate Middleton’s engagement ring. (Photo by Arthur Edwards – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
“It’s my mother’s engagement ring so I thought it was quite nice because, obviously, she’s not going to be around to share any of the fun and excitement of it all. This was my way of keeping her close to it all,” William shared.
“It’s my mother’s engagement ring, so of course it’s very special to me, and Kate’s now very special to me, so it was only right to put the two together.”
Princess Diana began wearing the engagement ring in 1981 when the then-Prince Charles asked for her hand in marriage.
Diana engagement ring, wedding ring, watch and gold earrings (Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)
In her years of wearing the ring, Diana slightly altered the ring. It originally featured eight white gold prongs surrounding the sapphire. But an additional six prongs were added in 1983, most likely to better secure the gem.
Princess Catherine also had the ring resized to fit her fingers.
Following her 15th engagement anniversary, Princess Catherine was spotted wearing four bands: engagement ring, two eternity rings, and her gold wedding band.
The recent eternity ring is believed to be a present from William to celebrate 13 years of marriage.
Why was Princess Diana’s engagement ring controversial?
It is one of the most recognisable rings in the world today, but it once caused controversy for Princess Diana.
(Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)
Rather than choose a ring from the royal family’s collection of priceless jewels, Princess Diana selected a ring from Garrard’s catalogue.
Given the ring was not custom-made for Princess Diana, it meant anyone could purchase the ring.
Princess Diana continued to wear the ring even after her divorce from the then-Prince Charles in 1996.
Journalist
Tia Thomas
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