Rhiannon Hendricks
Princess Diana's jewellery collection was truly unmatched, so it is no surprise that many of her famous pieces have been passed on to her daughters-in-law. One of the most iconic pieces is the engagement ring that she first wore in 1981, which was later given to Kate Middleton by Prince William when he proposed in 2010. The ring is a striking sapphire surrounded by diamonds, and it holds a significant amount of sentimental value for the royal family and the public. In addition to the engagement ring, Kate has also worn Princess Diana's earrings, necklaces, and a wedding band made from Welsh gold.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Weight | 12 carats |
| Colour | Blue |
| Composition | Sapphire surrounded by 14 diamonds |
| Setting | 18K white gold |
| Maker | Garrard & Co. |
| Original Owner | Princess Diana |
| Current Owner | Kate Middleton |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Kate Middleton's engagement ring
The ring was first given to Diana by Prince Charles when he proposed to her in 1981. Diana loved the ring so much that she wore it on her wedding day and continued to wear it on many occasions throughout her life, even after her separation from Charles. After Diana's death in 1997, the ring was inherited by her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. When William decided to propose to Kate in 2010, he chose to use his mother's ring because of its symbolism and sentimentality. The ring is not only a symbol of Kate's love for William but also a reminder of Princess Diana, who is still admired by many people worldwide.
The engagement ring has a rich history that dates back to the 19th century. In 1840, Prince Albert commissioned the royal jeweller Garrard to create a sapphire and diamond brooch for his fiancée, Queen Victoria. Queen Victoria loved the brooch so much that she wore it on her wedding day, and it became one of her favourite pieces of jewellery. This brooch inspired Prince Charles when he went to Garrard to purchase a ring for Diana.
The ring has become an iconic piece of jewellery, with its striking blue hue and timeless elegance. It has inspired countless brides and jewellery designers worldwide. Kate has continued to wear the ring on many occasions, even during her pregnancies, showcasing its enduring significance and beauty.
Jewish Wedding Rings: Which Finger?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Princess Diana's wedding day
Diana wore Princess Diana's engagement ring, a sapphire and diamond ring, on her wedding day. The ring was a royal heirloom that had once belonged to Queen Elizabeth, who wore it to meet President John F. Kennedy in 1961. The ring was also one of Princess Diana's favourite pieces of jewellery, and she wore it on many occasions throughout her life, even after her separation from King Charles.
After Princess Diana's death in 1997, the ring was passed down to her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. When Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton in 2010, he gave her Princess Diana's engagement ring. Kate has worn the ring on many occasions, including during her pregnancies, and it has become a symbol of her love for William and her place in the royal family.
Custom Wedding Rings: Design Your Own with an App
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The ring's design and creation
Princess Diana's engagement ring, now worn by Kate Middleton, is a sapphire and diamond ring. It was designed and created by Garrard & Co. and selected by Prince Charles when he proposed to Diana in 1981. The ring was reportedly one of several pieces that Charles presented to Diana at Windsor Castle before his proposal. He chose it because it resembled Queen Elizabeth's sapphire brooch. The creative director of Garrard & Co., Sara Prentice, told Vogue that it was said to be a "strong influence" on Prince Charles when he went to purchase a ring for Diana.
The ring is a striking sapphire surrounded by diamonds. It is one of the most famous pieces of jewellery in the world and has been circulating on the royal scene since 1981. It is also one of the most recognisable engagement rings in royal history. The jewel was priced at $37,500 when Charles proposed to Diana, and its value has increased significantly since then.
Sapphires have long been a favourite of royal women, especially for engagement rings. Princess Anne sports a blue sapphire engagement ring, and Princess Eugenie wears a rare blush-coloured padparadscha sapphire ring. However, Diana's engagement ring was not a bespoke piece, which went against royal tradition.
Princess Diana reportedly chose the sapphire ring because it matched her blue eyes. She wore the ring on her wedding day in 1981 and on many other occasions throughout her life, even after her separation from King Charles. After her untimely death in 1997, the ring was inherited by her son, Prince William, who later gave it to Kate Middleton when he proposed to her in 2010.
The Perfect Wedding Registry: Choosing the Right One
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$36.99
The ring's history and significance
Kate Middleton's engagement ring is one of the most famous pieces of jewellery in the world. The ring, a striking 12-carat oval Ceylon sapphire surrounded by 14 diamonds, was first worn by Princess Diana when she got engaged to Prince Charles in 1981.
Diana loved the ring so much that she wore it on her wedding day and on many other occasions throughout her life, even after her separation from King Charles. The ring was reportedly one of several pieces that Charles presented to Diana at Windsor Castle ahead of his proposal, and he chose it because it resembled Queen Elizabeth's sapphire brooch.
After Diana's death in 1997, the ring was inherited by her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. When William decided to propose to Kate, he chose to use his mother's ring because of the symbolism and sentimentality attached to it. The ring was a poignant symbol of love, legacy, and continuity within the British royal family.
Since their wedding, Kate has continued to wear the ring on many occasions, including during her pregnancies. The ring has become a symbol of Kate's love for William and her place in the royal family. It is also a reminder of Princess Diana, who is still loved and admired by many people around the world.
In addition to the engagement ring, Kate has also worn other pieces of jewellery that belonged to Princess Diana, including earrings, necklaces, and a wedding band made of Welsh gold, which is a long-standing tradition for the royal family.
Carrie Underwood's Wedding Ring: A Detailed Look
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Other jewellery pieces inherited by Kate Middleton from Princess Diana
Princess Diana had an extensive and unrivalled jewellery collection during her lifetime, so it is no surprise that many of her famous pieces have been passed on to her daughters-in-law, Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle. Before her untimely death, Princess Diana wrote a "letter of wishes" stating:
> I would like you to allocate all my jewellery to the share to be held by my sons, so that their wives may, in due course, have it or use it. I leave the exact division of the jewellery to your discretion.
Sapphire Engagement Ring
Perhaps the most famous piece of jewellery Kate inherited from Princess Diana is her sapphire engagement ring. The ring was created by British jeweller Garrard and chosen by then-Prince Charles for his proposal to Diana in 1981. In 2010, Prince William presented the ring to Kate for their engagement. The ring features a 12-carat oval Ceylon sapphire surrounded by 14 solitaire diamonds.
Collingwood Pearl Earrings
Princess Diana received the Collingwood Pearl Earrings as a wedding gift from Collingwood jewelers. She first wore them a month before her wedding and continued to wear them frequently. Kate first wore the earrings in 2017 for a Spanish state banquet and has since worn them on multiple occasions, including a portrait to mark her 40th birthday.
Cambridge Lover's Knot Tiara
The Cambridge Lover's Knot Tiara was a favourite of Princess Diana. After her death, the tiara was not seen again until Kate wore it in 2015. It has since become one of her favourite headpieces.
Four-String Pearl Choker
The four-string pearl choker was part of Queen Elizabeth's collection and has been worn by both Princess Diana and Kate Middleton for official events. Kate wore the choker to celebrate the Queen and Prince Philip's 70th wedding anniversary in 2017.
Princess of Wales' Feather Brooch
The Princess of Wales' Feather Brooch was given to Princess Diana by the Queen Mother upon her engagement to Prince Charles. Kate wore the brooch for the ceremonial welcome of the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, in 2022.
Art Deco Diamond and Emerald Choker
This choker was a wedding gift to Princess Diana from Queen Elizabeth II. It was originally given to Queen Mary by the Delhi Durbar during her visit to India with King George in 1911. Princess Diana famously wore the choker as a headband during her tour of Australia in 1985. Kate Middleton wore the choker for the first time in 2022, pairing it with a neon green gown for the Earthshot Prize.
The Order of Rings: Wedding Band or Engagement Ring First?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
No, Kate Middleton does not have Princess Diana's wedding ring. However, she does have Princess Diana's engagement ring, which Diana wore on her wedding day.
The ring features a large 12-carat Ceylon sapphire in a deep royal blue hue, surrounded by 14 diamonds, set on an 18K white gold band.
Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton with his mother's engagement ring because of the symbolism and
