George Boyle
Queen Elizabeth II's wedding ring is a topic of interest for many, especially given the mystery surrounding who inherited the ring after her death. The ring was a platinum diamond Art Deco piece, designed by Prince Phillip and a prestigious Bond Street jeweller in 1946. The centre diamond was a 3-carat Old European cut, flanked by 10 additional diamonds, all of which were sourced from a tiara that belonged to Prince Phillip's mother, Princess Alice of Battenberg. The ring was estimated to be worth around £200,000, but its association with the Queen and its historical provenance would make it priceless.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ring type | Engagement ring |
| Ring metal | Platinum |
| Ring design | Art Deco |
| Ring stone | Diamond |
| Diamond weight | 3-carat |
| Diamond cut | Old European cut |
| Diamond source | Princess Alice of Battenberg's tiara |
| Wedding band metal | Welsh gold |
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What You'll Learn
Heirloom diamonds from Prince Philip's mother's tiara
The centrepiece of Queen Elizabeth's engagement ring was a three-carat diamond originating from a tiara that belonged to Prince Philip's mother, Princess Alice of Battenberg. The tiara was given to Princess Alice by Tsar Nicholas II and Tsarina Alexandra of Russia on her wedding day. At the end of World War II, finances were tight, so Princess Alice gifted the tiara to her son, who designed a beautiful engagement ring for his bride-to-be, Princess Elizabeth, with the help of London jeweller Philip Antrobus Ltd. The ring was designed with a prestigious Bond Street jeweller in 1946 and featured a cushion diamond in the centre, flanked by ten smaller diamonds embedded into raised shoulders and set in platinum. The ring was worth around £200,000 at the time, but its association with the Royal Family would make it priceless today.
The engagement ring was one of the Queen's most prized possessions, and she wore it constantly throughout her life. It is said that she was buried with her Welsh gold wedding band, which she also never took off. The recipient of her engagement ring has not been made public, but it is speculated that it was inherited by her daughter, Anne, the Princess Royal, or her granddaughter, Beatrice.
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Art Deco design with geometric motifs
The engagement ring that Prince Philip gave to Queen Elizabeth II is an Art Deco design with geometric motifs. It features a 3-carat round diamond centre stone flanked by 10 smaller diamonds embedded into raised shoulders and set in platinum. The ring was designed with a prestigious Bond Street jeweller, Philip Antrobus, in 1946. The diamonds came from a tiara that belonged to Prince Philip's mother, Princess Alice of Battenberg, and were gifted to him by his mother so that he could create a ring for his proposal. The ring is estimated to be worth around £200,000, although its association with the royal family would make it priceless.
The Art Deco movement began in France during the 1920s and continued through the 1930s, influencing architecture, fashion, and jewellery. Art Deco jewellery is characterised by geometric motifs, bold colours, and the use of precious metals and gemstones. The movement reflected the glamour and luxury of the Roaring Twenties, with jewellery designs that were often symmetrical and featured angular shapes, such as triangles and zigzags.
Queen Elizabeth's engagement ring embodies the elegance and sophistication of the Art Deco style. The centre stone is surrounded by smaller diamonds, creating a sparkling halo effect. The use of platinum as the metal reflects the popularity of this precious metal during the Art Deco era. The geometric arrangement of the diamonds and the clean lines of the setting showcase the timeless beauty of Art Deco design.
The choice of an Art Deco ring by Prince Philip reflects the style's popularity during the decades before the engagement. It also symbolises the fusion of tradition and modernity, with a classic design that incorporates the heirloom diamonds from Princess Alice's tiara. The ring's understated elegance and subtle modern touches, such as the hidden halo, reflect Princess Elizabeth's humble yet refined style.
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3-carat centre diamond with smaller side diamonds
The engagement ring given to Queen Elizabeth II by Prince Philip in 1946 is one of the most iconic rings in existence. The centrepiece of the ring is a 3-carat diamond, flanked by 10 smaller diamonds embedded into raised shoulders and set in platinum. The ring was designed by Prince Philip himself, who used diamonds from a tiara that belonged to his mother, Princess Andrew of Greece. The tiara was gifted to Princess Andrew by Tsar Nicholas II and Tsarina Alexandra of Russia on her wedding day.
The ring was designed with a prestigious Bond Street jeweller, Philip Antrobus Ltd, in 1946. The ring is said to be worth around £200,000, although its association with the Royal Family and its historical provenance would make it priceless. The ring features geometrical motifs and traditional forms of the Art Deco movement. Platinum was a popular metal choice at the time, and the ring's design was elegant and understated.
The ring was first debuted to the world in the summer of 1947 and was worn by the Queen constantly throughout her life. She was buried with her Welsh gold wedding band, which she also never took off. The engagement ring's current whereabouts are unknown, but it was likely left to someone outside of the royal family pecking order, such as Queen Elizabeth's daughter, Anne, the Princess Royal. Another theory suggests that it was given to Beatrice, who was very close to the Queen.
The ring carries immense symbolic value and is a testament to the enduring love and devotion between Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. It is a timeless piece that will forever be associated with the majesty and grandeur of the British monarchy.
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Set in platinum
The engagement ring of Queen Elizabeth II was set in platinum. The ring was designed by Prince Phillip, who used diamonds from a tiara that belonged to his mother, Princess Andrew of Greece. The centre diamond is a 3-carat Old European cut, flanked by 10 smaller diamonds embedded into raised shoulders. The ring was designed with a prestigious Bond Street jeweller, Philip Antrobus, in 1946.
Platinum was a popular metal colour at the time, and the ring was designed with geometrical motifs and traditional forms of the Art Deco movement. The ring is estimated to be worth around £200,000, although its association with the Queen and its history make it priceless.
The Queen wore her engagement ring constantly throughout her life, and she was buried with her Welsh gold wedding band, another accessory she never took off. The recipient of her engagement ring has not been made public, although there is speculation that it was inherited by her daughter, Anne, the Princess Royal.
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Worn constantly, and buried with, by the Queen
The engagement ring of Queen Elizabeth II was a custom design by her husband, Prince Phillip, in collaboration with a prestigious Bond Street jeweller in 1946. The centrepiece was a 3-carat diamond, flanked by 10 smaller diamonds, all set in platinum. The diamonds were heirlooms, originating from a tiara that belonged to Prince Phillip's mother, Princess Alice of Battenberg. The ring was designed to reflect Princess Elizabeth's humble yet elegant style, with geometrical motifs and traditional forms. It is estimated to be worth around £200,000 today.
The Queen wore her engagement ring constantly throughout her life, and it is rumoured that she was buried with her Welsh gold wedding band, another accessory she never took off. The engagement ring's whereabouts are currently unknown, and it will likely remain a mystery until someone publicly acknowledges its inheritance. Queen Elizabeth's daughter, Anne, the Princess Royal, is a likely inheritor, as it would be a sentimental and fitting gift for her to receive such an important wedding-related piece. Another possibility is that the ring has been returned to a secure vault for safekeeping.
The Queen's engagement ring was not often in the spotlight, but its design and history make it truly priceless. The ring symbolises not only the love between Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip but also the endurance of diamonds as a timeless treasure. The ring's legacy continues, and it will forever be remembered as one of the most iconic engagement rings in existence.
The ring holds a rich history, with the diamonds dating back to the end of the Romanov dynasty. Princess Alice of Battenberg received the tiara that adorned these diamonds on her wedding day from Tsar Nicholas II and Tsarina Alexandra of Russia, the last rulers of the Russian Empire. These diamonds witnessed the end of an era and then became a part of a new beginning for Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip.
The engagement ring of Queen Elizabeth II is a testament to the power of love, family, and history. Its creation involved the collaboration of multiple generations, with Prince Phillip designing it and his mother contributing the diamonds from her tiara. The ring's journey through time, from the end of the Romanov dynasty to the proposal of Prince Phillip, adds to its allure and significance. Now, the ring's legacy continues, and its story will be forever intertwined with that of Queen Elizabeth II.
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Frequently asked questions
Queen Elizabeth II's wedding band was made of Welsh gold. She wore it constantly throughout her life and was buried with it.
Her engagement ring was designed with a Bond Street jeweller in 1946. It featured a 3-carat centre diamond, flanked by 10 smaller diamonds, all set in platinum. The diamonds came from a tiara that belonged to Prince Philip's mother, Princess Andrew of Greece.
It is believed that Queen Elizabeth never took off her wedding ring.
