The Most Famous Royal Engagement Rings In Recent History
And the romantic proposal stories that go with them.
From Grace Kelly's 10-carat sparkler to Kate Middleton's oval sapphire, these royal engagement rings will be talked about for years to come.
Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex
The Spouse: Prince Harry (married 2018)
The Ring: A 3-carat cushion cut diamond with two diamonds flanking the center stone on a yellow gold band. The center diamond was sourced from Botswana and the side diamonds came from Princess Diana's collection. The ring was redesigned at some point in the spring of 2019, and the stones were set on a delicate micro-pavé band.
The Proposal: In an interview following their engagement, the couple described the proposal as a "cozy night" at their home, Nottingham Cottage. The two cooked a roast chicken, and Prince Harry got down on one knee. "It was so sweet and natural and very romantic," said Markle.
More: Meghan Markle Appears to Have Redesigned Her Engagement Ring
Princess Eugenie of York
The Spouse: Jack Brooksbank (married 2018)
The Ring: A blush colored padparadscha sapphire surrounded by diamonds.
The Proposal: Jack Brooksbank proposed to Eugenie in Nicaragua in January 2018, in which he described the setting on the day as having a “beautiful volcano, summer setting, birds are flying.” Eugenie also spoke about the surprise engagement. “The lake was so beautiful. The light was just a special light I had never seen,” she said.
More: Get All the Details on Princess Eugenie's Wedding and Engagement Rings
Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge
The Spouse: Prince William of Windsor (married 2011)
The Ring: An oval Garrard 12-carat Ceylon sapphire surrounded by a cluster of 14 solitaire diamonds set in white gold.
The Proposal: Prince William proposed to Kate in a small cottage while the couple was vacationing in Mount Kenya with friends.
More: The Untold Story Behind Kate Middleton's Engagement Ring
Princess Diana
The Spouse: Charles, Prince of Wales (married 1981)
The Ring: A 12-carat oval blue Ceylon sapphire surrounded by 14 solitaire diamonds set in 18-karat white gold.
The Proposal: On February 6, 1981, Prince Charles proposed to Lady Diana Spencer during a private dinner at Buckingham Palace. The couple kept their engagement a secret for several weeks.
More: The Truth About Princess Diana's Sapphire Engagement Ring
Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
The Spouse: Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh (married 1947)
The Ring: A 3-carat round center stone flanked with 10 smaller diamonds.
The Proposal: Though he was born royal, Philip's family was not particularly wealthy. When it came to the moment he would ask the future British monarch to marry him, his mother, Princess Alice of Battenberg, made a sacrifice. She loaned her son a tiara that was given to her as a wedding present so it could be dismantled and crafted into a ring.
Grace Kelly, Princess of Monaco
The Spouse: Rainier III, Prince of Monaco (married 1956)
The Ring: A platinum Cartier 10.47 carat emerald-cut diamond with two baguette diamonds on each side.
The Proposal: After meeting Kelly at a photoshoot earlier that year, Prince Rainier III visited the U.S. and stopped in Philadelphia to visit her. Three days later, he proposed. Talk about a fairy tale!
Wallis Simpson
The Spouse: Duke of Windsor, the former King Edward VIII (married 1937)
The Ring: Cartier 19.77 carat Emerald Ring. Engraved on the ring is the message, "We are ours now 27 x 36."
The Proposal: Supposedly, the proposal date (marked by the message on the ring, October 27, 1936) happened before King Edward's abdication date—scandalous!
Queen Margrethe of Denmark
The Spouse: Henri de Laborde de Monpezat (married 1967)
The Ring: A toi et moi style ring of two square-cut diamonds set in yellow gold.
Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York
The Spouse: Prince Andrew, Duke of York (married 1986)
The Ring: A Garrard oval-cut Burmese ruby flanked by 10 diamonds set in yellow gold.
Queen Mathilde of Belgium
The Spouse: King Philippe of Belgium (married 1999)
The Ring: An oval cut ruby stone with a thick, diamond band. In more recent years, she's been seen wearing an oval-shaped blue sapphire ring.
Queen Maxima of the Netherlands
The Spouse: King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands (married 2002)
The Ring: An oval-shaped orange cut diamond with two tear-drop diamonds on either side, surrounded by two diamond studded bands.
Queen Letizia of Spain
The Spouse: King Felipe of Spain (married 2004)
The Ring: A classic baguette band with 16 white diamonds set in white gold trim.
The Proposal: Letizia was a news anchor, Felipe was a prince. Up until their engagement announcement, the public had no knowledge of the relationship. Family members of Letizia's picked up the ring at Suárez for Felipe.
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall
The Spouse: Charles, Prince of Wales (married 2005)
The Ring: An emerald-cut diamond coupled with an impressive trio of baguette diamonds on either side.
Princess Charlene of Monaco
The Spouse: Prince Albert of Monaco (married 2011)
The Ring: A Maison Repossi ring with a 3-carat pear-shaped diamond and diamond additions on either side.
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