Today, we’re looking at some of the diamond engagement rings of Windsor brides. From Queen Elizabeth to Princess Beatrice, diamonds are a classic choice.
Here’s Royal Central’s look at the sparkling rings of the brides of the House of Windsor.
Queen Elizabeth II – engaged 9 July 1947
Embed from Getty ImagesThe future queen fell in love with Prince Philip at a young age and was engaged shortly after her 21st birthday. In a touching gesture, Philip presented his fiancée with a diamond engagement ring featuring diamonds that once belonged to his mother, Princess Andrew of Greece and Denmark.
The Queen and Prince Philip will celebrate their 72nd wedding anniversary this coming November.
The Duchess of Cornwall – engaged 10 February 2005
Embed from Getty ImagesThe long-time love of the Prince of Wales was given an extremely personal ring to mark their engagement. The large square-cut diamond ring – flanked by three diamond baguettes on either side – once belonged to Prince Charles’s beloved grandmother, The Queen Mother.
The provenance of the ring is unknown though the lore is that King George VI presented it to his wife as a gift after the birth of their first child, the future Queen Elizabeth II.
The Duchess of Sussex – engaged 27 November 2017
Embed from Getty ImagesWhen Prince Harry proposed to his girlfriend, Meghan Markle, he presented her with a diamond from Botswana flanked by smaller diamonds from his late mother Diana’s personal collection, all set on a yellow gold band.
In their engagement interview Harry said that he wanted to make sure his mother was “with us on this crazy journey together,” and Meghan revealed that he’d designed the ring himself.
Embed from Getty ImagesIn the summer of 2019, royal watchers noticed that the ring had been changed—the band was no longer yellow gold but instead was a micro pave design that featured tiny diamonds.
The Countess of Wessex – engaged 6 January 1999
Embed from Getty ImagesSophie Rhys-Jones wore a large three-stone diamond engagement ring when her impending nuptials to Prince Edward were announced in early 1999. The two flanking diamonds are pear-shaped; the band is white gold; and the estimated price tag allegedly makes it one of the most expensive royal engagement rings ever: purchased at Asprey and Garrard for £105,000.
At their engagement interview, Edward commented on the ring, saying, “It’s sparkly and diamonds are a girl’s best friend so I’m told.”
Sophie replied, “No, you’re my best friend.”
Princess Beatrice – engaged 26 September 2019
Embed from Getty ImagesThe most recent royal engagement came courtesy of Princess Beatrice, who revealed the news in late September. Her sparkling diamond engagement ring was designed by finacé Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and jeweller Shaun Leane.
The platinum and diamond ring features baguette diamonds sourced from Botswana. Leane revealed to Hello! that Mozzi visited him and talked about his design inspiration, saying, “‘I really love Art Deco, and Beatrice really likes a Victorian aesthetic in jewellery.’”
The couple will wed in 2020.
Phillips Brides
Embed from Getty ImagesAutumn Kelly’s engagement to Princess Anne’s only son, Peter Phillips, was announced on 28 July 2007. Her engagement ring features an oval-shaped centre diamond flanked by smaller ones on each side sitting in a platinum band.
Embed from Getty ImagesZara Phillips’ engagement to Mike Tindall was announced on 21 December 2010. Her engagement ring is platinum and diamond and features a split band covered in pave diamonds. The main stone is a large diamond.
Armstrong-Jones Brides
Embed from Getty ImagesSerena Stanhope married David, Viscount Linley on 8 October 1993. Her engagement ring was designed by Wartski and features a diamond on a gold band. The couple are now The Earl and Countess of Snowdon.
Embed from Getty ImagesLady Sarah Armstrong-Jones married Daniel Chatto on 14 July 1994. Her engagement ring is a cluster-style diamond ring.
