Princess Diana’s engagement ring is undoubtedly the most famous sapphire oval ring in the world. Sapphires and other precious gems have been the preferred choice of the royal family for centuries. So, it’s no surprise that Princess Diana chose the blue sparkler for herself. However, what made her ring truly stand out was the controversy surrounding it.
Here are five interesting facts about the famous ring that you probably didn’t know.
1. Features a Statement Sapphire Stone
The spectacular ring features an impressive 12-carat sapphire surrounded by 14 sparkling round diamonds. The sapphire and diamonds are mounted on an 18 karat white gold band. The cost of this standout piece was £47,000 at the time of purchase. Today, the estimated worth of the ring is believed to be £300,000, or nearly $400,000!
2. It Was Picked from a Catalog
When it comes to wedding proposals, in a typical scenario, the guy picks the ring and presents it to the girl as a symbol of their everlasting companionship. However, Prince Charles did not have a ring for Princess Diana at the time of proposal. So, she got to choose her own ring, and she decided to pick from a catalog. This stirred some controversy as it wasn’t an heirloom or customized piece and wasn’t exclusive to the royal family. It also meant that anyone could purchase the same ring if they had £47,000.
3. Princess Diana Wore It Even After the Divorce
Even after her separation from Prince Charles in 1996, Princess Diana did not take off the ring, creating another controversy that the royal family did not appreciate. She was popularly referred to as the ‘People’s Princess’ due to her active participation in parenting and philanthropy. Some believe that this engagement ring became a symbol of her independence.
4. The Ring Went to Prince Harry First
Today, Catherine, Princess of Cambridge, wears the famous ring on her finger. But did you know Prince Harry was the one who actually inherited it? When Princes William was ready to propose to Kate in 2010, Harry offered the ring to his older brother. That’s how Kate ended up getting the blue sparkler.
5. It Matched Princess Diana’s Gorgeous Blue Eyes
Over the years, there have been many theories surrounding Princess Diana’s sapphire ring. However, two of them became really popular. Some people have speculated that Princess Diana chose the blue sparkler because it looked very similar to her mother’s engagement ring. However, another theory suggests that she picked it because the sapphire resembled her blue eyes.
Princess Diana’s Engagement Ring FAQs
- Why did Kate get Princess Diana’s ring?After Princess Diana’s untimely death in 1997, the ring was inherited by Prince Harry. However, he offered it to his brother, who then proposed to Kate Middleton with the ring. According to Prince William, it was his way to make sure his mother was present on the wedding day.
- How much is Princess Diana’s ring worth?At the time it was purchased, the cost of the ring was £47,000. Today, the estimated worth of the ring is believed to be £300,000, or nearly $400,000!
- Why did Princess Diana choose a sapphire ring?There are many theories and speculations about why Princess Diana picked the Ceylon sapphire ring. While some say it was the biggest ring, others believe it resembled her mother’s engagement ring.
