Princess Diana’s sapphire and diamond engagement ring has become an iconic piece of jewelry. After her tragic death in 1997, the ring was passed down to her younger son, Prince Harry. But why did Harry inherit this meaningful ring instead of his older brother, Prince William? There are several factors that contributed to Harry receiving Diana’s engagement ring.
The History of the Ring
In 1981, Lady Diana Spencer and Prince Charles announced their engagement. Charles proposed using a gorgeous 12-carat Ceylon sapphire surrounded by 14 solitaire diamonds and set in 18K white gold. The ring was made by the jewelers Garrard and cost Charles £28,000 at the time.
Diana loved the ring and continued wearing it even after her divorce from Charles in 1996. Following her death in a car accident in 1997, the ring was given to her sons William and Harry to keep. At the time, both boys were teenagers and shared custody of the ring.
Why William Didn’t Keep It
When Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton in 2010, many assumed he would use his mother’s iconic ring. However, William gave Kate a different engagement ring. He proposed with the sapphire and diamond ring that belonged to his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. The reason William chose not to propose with Diana’s ring comes down to two factors:
- William didn’t want to associate any potential “bad luck” with the failed marriage of Charles and Diana by using the same ring.
- He wanted to start fresh with a new ring to signify his relationship with Kate.
Rather than unsettle the past, William preferred to give Kate a ring connected to his family but without direct associations to his parent’s troubles.
Why Harry Inherited It
Since William chose not to use Diana’s engagement ring, it was passed down to Harry. As the younger brother, there was less pressure on Harry to consider the marital history associated with the ring. He was happy and proud to inherit his mother’s ring and keep her legacy alive.
When Harry proposed to Meghan Markle in 2017, he customized the ring for her by replacing the original yellow gold band with a diamond-studded platinum band. But the center stones were kept intact as a loving nod to his late mother. Meghan was honored to wear such a meaningful family heirloom.
The Significance of the Ring
Beyond the ownership history, Diana’s ring carries deeper significance. The sapphire engagement ring reflects aspects of Diana’s own story and character.
Royal Rebels
Princess Diana was a royal rebel who defied staid traditions. She selected her own ring, something unique for royal brides at the time. Most had rings made custom by the palace jewelers. But Diana chose the eye-catching sapphire herself from the Garrard catalog.
Likewise, both Harry and Meghan have reputations as royal rebels and trailblazers. Harry inherited and repurposed the ring in his own way. The ring connects the rebellious spirit shared by Diana, Harry and Meghan.
Lasting Legacy
The sapphire ring has become an iconic part of Diana’s lasting legacy as “The People’s Princess.” Passing the ring to her sons, and now to Harry’s wife, keeps Diana’s memory alive. It represents a meaningful, ongoing connection between Diana and her sons.
Shared Experiences
There are parallels between Diana and Meghan’s lives that connect them. Both women had whirlwind romances and weddings under intense media scrutiny. Like Diana, Meghan is committed to humanitarian work. And both royal women have struggled with the pressures of rigid protocol and invasive tabloids. Diana’s ring embodies the shared experiences between the Princess and her daughter-in-law.
The Engagement Ring Today
Today, Princess Diana’s engagement ring remains in the spotlight as part of Meghan Markle’s jewelry collection. Some key facts about the ring in its current form:
Value
The ring is priceless due to its history and sentimental value. Experts estimate the ring would be worth around $350,000 on the open market based on its gemstones and gold content.
Customizations
While Harry kept his mother’s sapphire centerpieces, he did make some changes to modernize the ring for Meghan:
- The band was replaced with diamonds set in platinum.
- The ring was resized from Diana’s original UK size G to size US 6.5 for Meghan.
- The ring was polished to enhance its shine.
Public Appearances
– Meghan wore the ring publicly for the first time at her and Harry’s engagement photocall in November 2017.
– She has worn it at every subsequent royal engagement from her wedding day onwards.
– It complemented her wedding day ensemble and was her “something blue.”
– She wears the ring alongside her yellow gold wedding band.
| Year | Owner |
|---|---|
| 1981 | Lady Diana Spencer (fiancée and later Princess Diana) |
| 1996 | Princess Diana |
| 1997 | Prince William and Prince Harry |
| 2010 | Prince Harry |
| 2017-Present | Meghan, Duchess of Sussex |
Conclusion
Diana’s iconic sapphire and diamond engagement ring carries deep history and symbolism. It represents her rebel spirit, connects her legacy to Harry and Meghan, and signifies shared experiences as royal wives. Passing the ring to Prince Harry allowed Diana’s tradition-breaking memory to live on in a new generation through a beloved family heirloom.