Deborah Chan
Princess Diana's wedding ring was made from a nugget of Welsh gold that has been in the family for centuries. The gold nugget was also used for the wedding bands of the Queen Mother, the Queen, Princess Margaret, Princess Anne, and many other royals. The ring was engraved with the words I Love You, Diana and was worn by her until her death. After her death, her butler, Paul Burrell, advised her to wear a £3,000 Bulgari yellow gold band with diamonds that was given to her by Dodi Fayed. This diamond band was worn on the fourth finger of her right hand.
Diana's engagement ring, on the other hand, was a 12-carat oval Ceylon sapphire surrounded by 14 round diamonds set in 18-karat white gold. It was purchased from the UK jewellery company Garrard's for £47,000 ($60,000) and is now estimated to be worth $400,000. Interestingly, the ring was not a bespoke piece, which caused some controversy within the royal family. The ring was passed down to her son, Prince Harry, after her death, who then offered it to his brother, Prince William, when he proposed to Kate Middleton.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of ring | Engagement ring |
| Owner | Princess Diana |
| Design | A 12-karat oval Ceylon sapphire surrounded by 14 solitaire diamonds set in 18-karat white gold |
| Inspiration | A brooch gifted by Prince Albert to Queen Victoria |
| Value at the time of purchase | $37,500 |
| Current estimated value | $400,000 |
| Current owner | Kate Middleton |
| Wedding band | Made from a nugget of Welsh gold |
| Engraving on the wedding band | "I Love You, Diana" |
| Ring worn at the time of her death | A £3,000 Bulgari yellow gold band with diamonds gifted by Dodi Fayed |
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What You'll Learn
Princess Diana's wedding ring was made from Welsh gold
Princess Diana's wedding ring was not the only piece of jewellery that broke with tradition. Her engagement ring, a 12-carat oval sapphire surrounded by 14 round diamonds set in 18-karat white gold, was selected by Diana herself from an existing catalogue of the royal jeweller Garrard. This decision caused some controversy within the royal family as it was not a one-of-a-kind design, meaning that commoners could also have access to the same jewels as the royal family.
The engagement ring was inspired by a brooch once owned by Queen Victoria, which featured a diamond sapphire centre stone within a halo of 12 diamonds set on a gold band. The sapphire in Princess Diana's ring is of royal blue colour and was sourced from Ceylon (now known as Sri Lanka). The ring is estimated to be worth $400,000 today.
After Princess Diana's death, her engagement ring was passed down to her sons, Princes William and Harry. It was eventually given to Kate Middleton by Prince William when he proposed in 2010. The ring has since become one of the most recognisable and beloved pieces of jewellery in history, influencing couples and inspiring jewellery trends for decades.
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Her engagement ring was from Garrard's catalogue
Princess Diana's engagement ring was a 12-karat oval Ceylon sapphire surrounded by 14 solitaire diamonds set in 18-karat white gold. The ring was chosen by Diana herself from the catalogue of Garrards, the public jeweller, breaking the tradition of custom-made royal engagement rings. The design was inspired by a brooch that Prince Albert had commissioned for his bride-to-be, Queen Victoria, in 1840. The piece featured a large sapphire surrounded by 12 round diamonds and was set in gold.
The ring was valued at $37,500 when Prince Charles proposed to Diana in 1981. However, today, it is estimated to be worth $400,000. The ring has become one of the most recognisable and beloved pieces of jewellery in history, with its striking blue hue and dazzling diamond halo. It has also influenced jewellery trends for decades, with Princess Diana's daughter-in-law, Kate Middleton, sporting the ring when William proposed to her in 2010.
The ring was passed on to Princess Diana's younger son, Prince Harry, after her death. He gave it to his wife, Meghan, who wore it at their wedding reception in 2018. The ring's estimated value in 2018 was £75,000, but it would likely fetch a much higher price at auction now.
Princess Diana's wedding ring was also made from a nugget of Welsh gold, following royal tradition. The gold nugget was one of the last soft nuggets of Welsh gold mined at the Clogau St David's gold mine. The same nugget had provided gold for the wedding bands of the Queen Mother, the Queen, Princess Margaret, and Princess Anne, among other royals. Princess Diana's Welsh gold band was engraved on the inside with the words, "I Love You, Diana".
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The ring was inspired by Queen Victoria's brooch
The ring given to Lady Diana Spencer by Prince Charles during their engagement in 1981 became one of the most famous pieces of jewellery in the world. A large oval sapphire surrounded by a cluster of diamonds, it was quite unlike the traditional diamond solitaire that most royal brides had chosen before. However, the design was not entirely unique, as it drew inspiration from a royal brooch. That brooch belonged to Queen Victoria and featured an emerald-cut stone surrounded by diamonds.
Prince Charles had a special interest in jewellery design and personally oversaw the creation of Diana's ring. He was inspired by Queen Victoria's sapphire and diamond brooch, which was made by the jeweller Garrard in the 1800s. The brooch featured a large central sapphire, which was a stone that Queen Victoria particularly favoured, and it is thought that this is what initially caught Prince Charles' eye. The design of the ring paid homage to the brooch, with its cluster of small diamonds surrounding a central, large stone.
Queen Victoria often wore the brooch in portraits, and it is thought that Prince Charles wanted to evoke the sense of history and tradition associated with it. The design of Diana's ring was a modern interpretation, with the central oval-cut stone giving it a more contemporary feel. The ring featured 14 solitaire diamonds, which were set in white gold, and the central sapphire was a stunning 12 carats. The stones were carefully selected by Prince Charles, who wanted the best quality and cut to create a truly special piece.
The ring has since become iconic and was a beloved piece of jewellery for Diana. It is said that she continued to wear it even after her divorce from Prince Charles, as it held great sentimental value. The design has also inspired countless replicas and has influenced jewellery trends, with many brides opting for colourful central stones and cluster settings. The original jewellers, Garrard, have since created many similar pieces, paying tribute to the famous royal ring.
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It was given to Prince Harry after her death
Princess Diana's jewellery collection was divided between her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, after her death in 1997. It is believed that Prince Harry ultimately inherited his mother's beloved engagement ring. The ring features a 12-karat oval Ceylon sapphire surrounded by 14 round diamonds set in 18-karat white gold. It is estimated to be worth $400,000 today.
Prince Harry gave the ring to Prince William to propose to Kate Middleton as a gesture of brotherly love and approval. In his memoir, Harry revealed that the ring was never his to give. Harry's wife, Meghan Markle, wore Diana's iconic "divorce ring", a 13-carat aquamarine ring, at their wedding. Meghan was also gifted Diana's famous emerald-cut aquamarine ring by Harry on their wedding day.
Princess Diana's engagement ring is one of the most recognisable pieces of jewellery in the world. The ring was not a bespoke piece, which went against royal tradition. Instead, Diana selected the ring from the jeweller's existing catalogue, meaning anyone could have purchased it. This decision reportedly stirred up some drama within the royal family, as it broke with the tradition of commissioning one-of-a-kind designs.
The ring's design was inspired by a sapphire brooch given by Prince Albert to Queen Victoria. The brooch featured a diamond sapphire centre stone within a halo of 12 diamonds set on a gold band. Queen Victoria wore the brooch as her ""something blue" on her wedding day, and it later became an heirloom of the crown.
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Kate Middleton now wears the ring
Princess Diana's engagement ring is one of the most recognisable pieces of jewellery in history. The stunning ring features a 12-carat oval Ceylon sapphire surrounded by 14 round diamonds set in 18-karat white gold. It was designed by Garrard, the Crown Jewellers, and was inspired by a sapphire brooch given by Prince Albert to Queen Victoria.
After Princess Diana's tragic passing in 1997, her jewellery collection was divided between her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. It is believed that Prince Harry inherited her engagement ring and offered it to Prince William to propose to Kate Middleton as a gesture of brotherly love and approval. In 2010, Kate Middleton became the owner of the iconic sapphire engagement ring when Prince William proposed to her under the majestic gaze of Mount Kenya.
Kate Middleton's engagement ring, previously owned by Princess Diana, is a tangible symbol of enduring love and cherished memories. The ring has influenced couples and inspired jewellery trends for decades, with its striking blue hue and dazzling diamond halo. When Kate wore a blue Issa dress for her joint interview with William, it perfectly matched the ring, creating a sentimental moment.
The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, was also gifted one of Princess Diana's rings by her husband, Prince Harry. Meghan wore Princess Diana's famous emerald-cut aquamarine ring, also known as her "divorce ring", at their wedding in 2018. This ring is estimated to be worth £75,000.
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Frequently asked questions
Princess Diana's wedding band was made from a nugget of Welsh gold that has been in the royal family for centuries.
Princess Diana wore diamond earrings that belonged to her mother, Frances Shand Kydd, the Spencer family tiara, her engagement ring, and her wedding band. She also wore a gold horseshoe trinket studded with white diamonds attached to the label of her dress.
It is unclear what happened to Princess Diana's wedding ring.
Princess Diana's engagement ring was passed down to her son, Prince William, after her death. It was then given to his wife, Kate Middleton, when he proposed in 2010.
