Franklin Dean
Princess Kate Middleton's engagement ring is one of the most famous pieces of jewellery in the world. The ring, a 12-carat Ceylon blue sapphire surrounded by 14 diamonds, was first worn by Princess Diana when she got engaged to Prince Charles in 1981. After Diana's death in 1997, the ring was inherited by her son Prince William, who proposed to Kate with it in 2010. Since their wedding, Kate has worn 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, as well as a reminder of Princess Diana, who is still admired by many people around the world.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Owner of the ring | Kate Middleton |
| Previous owner of the ring | Princess Diana |
| Current value of the ring | $500,000 |
| Ring type | Engagement ring |
| Ring design | 12-carat oval-cut Ceylon blue sapphire from Sri Lanka, surrounded by 14 round-cut solitaire diamonds and set in 18-karat white gold |
| Ring designer | Garrard |
| Ring's inspiration | A sapphire-and-diamond brooch that was commissioned by Prince Albert in 1840 for his then-fiancée, Queen Victoria |
| Reason for choosing the ring | Sentimental attachment to the Queen Victoria brooch |
| Who proposed with the ring | Prince William |
| Who gifted the ring to Princess Diana | Prince Charles |
| Who gave the ring to Prince William | Prince Harry |
| Date of proposal | 2010 |
| Date of marriage | 29 April 2011 |
| Wedding band | Welsh gold wedding band |
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What You'll Learn
Princess Diana's engagement ring from Prince Charles
The design of the ring was inspired by a similar ring that Garrard crafted in 1921 for another royal bride, Queen Mary. It was also said to be inspired by a sapphire-and-diamond brooch that was commissioned by Prince Albert for his then-fiancée, Queen Victoria, in 1840. The ring's design was also said to resemble a sapphire brooch owned by Queen Elizabeth.
Diana reportedly chose the ring herself from a catalogue, which was considered unusual as it was neither custom-made nor unique at the time. It was said that she chose it because it reminded her of her mother's engagement ring, or because it matched her blue eyes. The ring was priced at $37,500 at the time of their engagement in 1981, but its value has since increased significantly.
Diana wore the ring on her wedding day in 1981, along with the Spencer family tiara, diamond earrings that belonged to her mother, and a wedding band placed on her finger by Charles. She continued to wear the ring even after her separation and divorce from Charles. After Diana's death in 1997, the ring was inherited by her sons, Princes William and Harry. Harry gave the ring to William, who used it to propose to Kate Middleton in 2010.
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Prince William's proposal to Kate Middleton
Prince William and Kate Middleton first met at the University of St Andrews in 2001. They became close friends and started dating quietly. However, their romance hit a rocky patch in 2007, and the couple broke up. William and Kate reunited after their split and announced their engagement in 2010.
Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton in Kenya in 2010. The breathtaking backdrop for the proposal was the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. As they strolled hand in hand under a starlit sky, William dropped to one knee, presenting Kate with a stunning sapphire and diamond ring that once belonged to his late mother, Princess Diana.
The ring holds a rich history and significance beyond its beauty. It was initially given to Diana by Prince Charles when he proposed to her in 1981. It is said that the design was inspired by a sapphire-and-diamond brooch that was commissioned by Prince Albert in 1840 for his then-fiancée, Queen Victoria. 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 Charles.
After Diana's death in 1997, the ring was inherited by her sons, William and Harry. Harry, the legal owner, generously gave it to William to use when he proposed to Kate. The ring, with its striking blue sapphire and timeless elegance, has become an enduring symbol of love and devotion, capturing the hearts of admirers worldwide.
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The ring's design and origins
The design and origins of Kate Middleton's engagement ring are steeped in history and significance. The ring is a stunning 12-carat oval Ceylon blue sapphire surrounded by 14 round-cut solitaire diamonds set in 18-karat white gold. The deep royal blue hue of the sapphire and its rare origin from Sri Lanka make it highly coveted and distinctive.
The ring's design was inspired by another famous piece in the royal collection: a sapphire-and-diamond brooch commissioned by Prince Albert for his fiancée, Queen Victoria, in 1840. Queen Victoria loved the brooch so much that she wore it on her wedding day as her "something blue," and it became a staple in her wardrobe during her reign. Upon her passing, the brooch became a Crown heirloom, passed down to subsequent monarchs, including Queen Elizabeth II, who wore it to meet President John F. Kennedy in 1961.
When it was time for Prince Charles to propose to Lady Diana Spencer, he turned to the esteemed jewellers Garrard & Co., who had crafted Queen Victoria's brooch. He presented Diana with several engagement rings to choose from, including the sapphire-and-diamond Marguerite ring, which resembled Queen Elizabeth's sapphire brooch. Diana fell in love with the Marguerite ring, reportedly due to its sentimental attachment to the Queen Victoria brooch and because the deep blue hue of the sapphire matched her eye colour. The ring was priced at $37,500 when Charles proposed in 1981, and its value has significantly increased since then.
After Diana's untimely death in 1997, the ring was inherited by her sons, Princes William and Harry. When William proposed to Kate Middleton in 2010, he chose to use his mother's engagement ring as a way to honour her memory and keep her close to their special moment. The ring has since become a symbol of Kate's love for William and her place in the royal family, with Kate wearing it on many occasions, including during her pregnancies.
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Kate's wedding band and eternity ring
Kate Middleton's wedding band is a Welsh gold ring, gifted to her by Queen Elizabeth. It is a long-standing tradition for royal brides to receive Welsh gold wedding bands. King Charles and Queen Camilla also received similar wedding rings in 2005.
Kate's wedding band is accompanied by her engagement ring, which was originally owned by Princess Diana. The ring was presented to Diana by Charles, who selected it for its sentimental attachment to the Queen Victoria brooch. The brooch was a gift from Prince Albert to Queen Victoria in 1840. It was later bequeathed to become a Crown heirloom.
The engagement ring features a 12-carat oval Ceylon sapphire surrounded by diamonds; 14 round-cut solitaire diamonds set in 18-karat white gold. The deep blue hue of the sapphire is said to have matched Diana's eye colour. The ring is valued at $500,000 and is considered one of the most famous pieces of jewellery in the world.
In addition to her wedding band and engagement ring, Kate also wears a diamond eternity ring, gifted to her by Prince William. The eternity ring features a fine band of pavé-set diamonds in white gold or platinum.
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The ring's symbolic value
The ring that Kate Middleton received from Prince William when he proposed in 2010 is a stunning piece of jewellery with a rich history and symbolic value. It features a 12-carat oval Ceylon blue sapphire from Sri Lanka, surrounded by 14 round-cut solitaire diamonds and set in 18-karat white gold. This ring once belonged to Princess Diana, who received it from Prince Charles when he proposed to her in 1981.
The ring's design was inspired by a sapphire-and-diamond brooch that was commissioned by Prince Albert for his fiancée, Queen Victoria, in 1840. Queen Victoria loved the brooch so much that she wore it on her wedding day and it later became a favourite piece of Queen Elizabeth, who wore it to meet President John F. Kennedy in 1961. When it was time for Prince Charles to propose to Diana, he selected a ring from Garrard, the same jewellery company that crafted the brooch, with a similar design.
The ring holds a deep symbolic value for Kate Middleton and Prince William. It represents tradition and remembrance, connecting them to Princess Diana and the broader history of the British royal family. William himself stated that he chose his mother's engagement ring as a way to keep her close and honour her legacy. The ring is also a symbol of Kate's love for William and her place in the royal family.
Over the years, Kate's ring collection has expanded. In addition to her engagement ring, she now wears a Welsh gold wedding band, a long-standing tradition for royal women, and a white gold diamond eternity band, both gifted to her by William.
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Frequently asked questions
No, it is not. Kate Middleton's wedding ring is a thin Welsh gold wedding band, which she added to her left ring finger after her wedding to Prince William on April 29, 2011. It was gifted to her by Queen Elizabeth.
The ring that Charles gave to Diana was an engagement ring. It featured a 12-carat oval Ceylon blue sapphire surrounded by 14 round-cut diamonds and set in 18-karat white gold.
Yes, Kate Middleton received an engagement ring that once belonged to Princess Diana. It was given to her by Prince William when he proposed in 2010.
