Royal engagements have long captivated the public, with dazzling rings symbolizing love and tradition. From historic heirlooms to custom-made designs, royal engagement rings often feature some of the world’s most exquisite gemstones. But which royal ring holds the highest value? Jewelry expert Anya Walsh from 77 Diamonds analyzed several prominent royal rings for the Daily Mail, revealing the most expensive among them.
Kate Middleton’s Iconic Heirloom
The most valuable engagement ring belongs to Catherine, Princess of Wales. Originally worn by Princess Diana, the sapphire and diamond ring became an instant icon when she debuted the 12-carat Garrard creation in 1981. In 2010, Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton with his late mother’s ring. During their engagement interview, William shared that he had carried the ring in his rucksack for weeks during a trip to Kenya.
“It’s my mother’s engagement ring, so I thought it was quite nice because obviously she’s not going to be around to share any of the fun and excitement of it all—this was my way of keeping her close,” he said.
According to Walsh, the ring’s historical significance makes it the most valuable in the royal collection. “When you consider its ties to Diana, it’s probably one of the most iconic pieces of jewelry in existence. While this makes it priceless in many ways, the physical value of the ring itself is a minimum of £500,000 ($644,000),” she estimated.
Queen Camilla’s Elegant Design
Coming in second is Queen Camilla’s engagement ring, valued at around £240,000 ($309,000). The Art Deco-style piece originates from the collection of the Queen Mother, making it another significant royal heirloom. Featuring a five-carat emerald-cut diamond flanked by three baguette-cut diamonds, the ring was originally a push present gifted to the Queen Mother after the birth of Princess Elizabeth, later Queen Elizabeth II.
“Camilla’s ring is an extremely elegant piece,” Walsh noted. “Although it may seem understated compared to Kate’s ring, it exudes the class and quality befitting a Queen.”
Meghan Markle’s Personalized Ring
The third most valuable engagement ring belongs to Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. Estimated at £150,000 ($193,000) or more, her three-stone diamond ring holds deep sentimental value.
Designed by Prince Harry, the ring features a large center diamond from Botswana, a place significant to the couple, flanked by two smaller diamonds from Princess Diana’s personal collection. The unique design was recently voted the most popular engagement ring in the world, according to a survey conducted by the Natural Diamond Council.
“Although the center stone is new, the inclusion of Diana’s diamonds adds an extra dimension, blending old and new to create an outstanding piece,” Walsh explained.
Princess Eugenie’s Distinctive Sapphire Ring
Rounding out the list is Princess Eugenie’s engagement ring, which stands out for its unique design. Like Kate’s, it features a sapphire surrounded by diamonds. However, Eugenie’s ring boasts a rare Padparadscha sapphire, known for its distinctive pink hue. The stone is encircled by diamonds and accented with smaller pear-shaped side stones.
“Princess Eugenie’s ring is beautifully unique,” Walsh said. “Its soft pink hue sets it apart from the traditional blue sapphires seen in other royal rings, creating an effortlessly elegant look.”
Royal engagement rings are more than just jewelry; they symbolize history, sentiment, and timeless elegance. Whether inherited or newly designed, these rings continue to fascinate, each telling a unique love story.
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