MarieClaire
  • News
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Career
  • Bridal
  • Podcasts
  • Beyond Beauty
  • Video
MarieClaire
  • News
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Career
  • Bridal
  • Podcasts
  • Beyond Beauty
  • Video
MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows
Watch 4:43

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows

{headline}

{headline}

Your First Look At Camilla Parker Bowles In 'The Crown'

Your First Look At Camilla Parker Bowles In 'The Crown'

The Rebellious Move Princess Diana Pulled After Prince Charles' Affair

The Rebellious Move Princess Diana Pulled After Prince Charles' Affair

This Actress Will Be Playing Camilla Parker Bowles In 'The Crown'

This Actress Will Be Playing Camilla Parker Bowles In 'The Crown'

Camilla Parker Bowles Weighs In On The Royal Wedding

Camilla Parker Bowles Weighs In On The Royal Wedding

{headline}

{headline}

6 Things You Had No Idea Went Wrong At Prince Charles And Diana's Wedding

6 Things You Had No Idea Went Wrong At Prince Charles And Diana's Wedding

 Yes, Prince Charles Really Did Date Princess Diana's Sister Before They Became An Item

Yes, Prince Charles Really Did Date Princess Diana's Sister Before They Became An Item

Princes Charles Has Created An Organic Gin Flavoured With Herbs From His Own Highgrove Garden

Princes Charles Has Created An Organic Gin Flavoured With Herbs From His Own Highgrove Garden

{headline}

{headline}

15 Celebrities Who Skipped Diamond Engagement Rings For Something A Little More Non-Traditional

15 Celebrities Who Skipped Diamond Engagement Rings For Something A Little More Non-Traditional

Prince George Making Christmas Pudding Is The Gift We Never Knew We Needed

Prince George Making Christmas Pudding Is The Gift We Never Knew We Needed

Prince Charles Gets Royally Caught Up In Counterfeit Art Scandal

Prince Charles Gets Royally Caught Up In Counterfeit Art Scandal

Prince Charles "Reduced To Tears" As Prince William Prepares To Inherit Royal Role

Prince Charles "Reduced To Tears" As Prince William Prepares To Inherit Royal Role

20 Emerald Engagement Rings That Will Make You Green With Envy

20 Emerald Engagement Rings That Will Make You Green With Envy

Kate Middleton's Engagement Ring Was Actually Meant For Meghan Markle

Kate Middleton's Engagement Ring Was Actually Meant For Meghan Markle

This Photo Has Everybody Talking About Prince Harry And Prince Charles

This Photo Has Everybody Talking About Prince Harry And Prince Charles

  1. Home
  2. Royals

The Royal Engagement Rings That Have Sweet Hidden Meanings

Queen Elizabeth II's features a secret engraving - by Grace Back
  • 06 Oct 2020
The Royal Engagement Rings That Have Sweet Hidden Meanings

The royal family have access to some of the most historical—and spectacular—jewellery on the planet, and often the most stunning of the crown jewels are bestowed to royal brides as engagement rings. Of the stunning pieces given, many feature diamonds that once belonged to other members of the royal family or feature coloured gemstones that were previously used in equally-as-striking jewellery, including brooches and tiaras.

But while the engagement rings of royal women are incredible to look at, many actually hold sentimental stories behind the couple's unique relationships. From Meghan Markle's diamonds being sourced from the late Princess of Wales' personal collection to Queen Elizabeth II having a secret engraving from the Duke of Edinburgh, below we take a deep dive into the sweet stories behind some of the world's most famous royal engagement rings. 

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall 

In 2005, Prince Charles proposed to Camilla Parker Bowles with a royal family heirloom—an impressive diamond ring that once belonged to his grandmother, the Queen Mother. 

While it was not Queen Elizabeth's engagement ring from King George VI, it holds sentimental value due to Charles' incredibly close relationship with the late royal. The ring features an art deco design and five-carat emerald cut diamond in the centre, which is paired with a platinum gold wedding band and three diamond baguettes on either side. 

The ring is just one of the many jewellery pieces Camilla has acquired from the Queen Mother's collection, with the royal regularly wearing the Greville Tiara. 

camilla

Kate Middleton

Camilla isn't the only royal with an impressive piece on her wedding finger. Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton in 2010 with his late mother Princess Diana's iconic engagement ring. 

The stunning design has a fascinating history, too, with its beginnings dating back to 1840 when Prince Albert had British jeweller Garrard create a sapphire-and-diamond brooch for his future wife, Queen Victoria, a piece the royal loved so much she wore it up until her husband's death in 1861. The wedding gift has since remained a crown heirloom that is regularly worn by Queen Elizabeth II and is what inspired Prince Charles when he was picking out a ring for Diana. 

Interestingly, the 12-carat Ceylon sapphire surrounded by 14 solitaire diamonds was originally inherited by Prince Harry, until he gave it to William when he wanted to propose. When the Duke of Cambridge becomes monarch, he will inherit the matching brooch as part of the crown jewels, so it won't be surprising if one day we spot the Duchess of Cambridge paying homage to the sapphire accessory. 

kate

Queen Elizabeth II 

Another royal ring steeped in history is that of Queen Elizabeth II's. Prince Philip reportedly had the three-carat diamond ring made with diamonds from one of his mother’s—Princess Alice of Battenberg—tiaras.

In the biography, Prince Philip: A Portrait of the Duke of Edinburgh, it was revealed that the ring also features a secret inscription. “At least [Prince] Philip didn’t have the expense of a wedding ring, as the people of Wales supplied a nugget of Welsh gold from which the ring is made,” the book reads (via People). “She [Queen Elizabeth II] never takes it off and inside the ring is an inscription. No one knows what it says, other than the engraver, the Queen and her husband.”

We'd love to know what sweet message lies underneath. 

elizabeth

Meghan Markle

Meghan Markle's engagement ring was a labour of love for Prince Harry, who designed the ring himself as opposed to selecting a family heirloom from the royals extensive collection. The three-carat cushion-cut diamond, which sits in the centre, is surrounded by two smaller diamonds set on a yellow gold band. 

It holds a deeper meaning than just being a sight for sore eyes, though. The centre diamond was sourced from Botswana, a country that holds a special meaning to the couple, who travelled there in the early days of their relationship. “We were really by ourselves, which was crucial to me to make sure we had a chance to get to know each other,” Harry said following the couple's 2019 engagement. 

The other diamonds were taken from the late Princess Diana's personal collection, to “make sure she is with us on this crazy journey together.”

meghan

Princess Eugenie 

Though not much is known about Princess Eugenie's engagement, the ring given to her by now-husband Jack Brooksbank was inspired by her mother's Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York. Fergie's ring, which was designed by Prince Andrew, featured a Burmese ruby surrounded by diamonds. 

Eugenie's, similar in style and colour, has a large Padparadscha sapphire, a rare stone that has a pink tint to it, surrounded by diamonds. At the time of their engagement, Brooksbank said he chose the ring because "it changes colour when it hits certain lights, much like Eugenie." 

princess eugenie
  • Lifestyle
  • Bridal
  • Royals
Grace Back
Grace Back
Grace is our Digital News and Entertainment Editor. When not stuck in a seemingly endless Instagram scroll, you'll find Grace with her head in a good book.

Save up to 39% + chance to WIN*-*Conditions apply

When you subscribe to marie claire.

Subscribe Now
Save up to 39% + chance to WIN*

Save up to 39% + chance to WIN*-*Conditions apply

When you subscribe to marie claire.

Subscribe Now
Save up to 39% + chance to WIN*

Recommended to you

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows
Watch 4:43

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows

{headline}

{headline}

Your First Look At Camilla Parker Bowles In 'The Crown'

Your First Look At Camilla Parker Bowles In 'The Crown'

The Rebellious Move Princess Diana Pulled After Prince Charles' Affair

The Rebellious Move Princess Diana Pulled After Prince Charles' Affair

This Actress Will Be Playing Camilla Parker Bowles In 'The Crown'

This Actress Will Be Playing Camilla Parker Bowles In 'The Crown'

Camilla Parker Bowles Weighs In On The Royal Wedding

Camilla Parker Bowles Weighs In On The Royal Wedding

{headline}

{headline}

6 Things You Had No Idea Went Wrong At Prince Charles And Diana's Wedding

6 Things You Had No Idea Went Wrong At Prince Charles And Diana's Wedding

 Yes, Prince Charles Really Did Date Princess Diana's Sister Before They Became An Item

Yes, Prince Charles Really Did Date Princess Diana's Sister Before They Became An Item

Princes Charles Has Created An Organic Gin Flavoured With Herbs From His Own Highgrove Garden

Princes Charles Has Created An Organic Gin Flavoured With Herbs From His Own Highgrove Garden

{headline}

{headline}

15 Celebrities Who Skipped Diamond Engagement Rings For Something A Little More Non-Traditional

15 Celebrities Who Skipped Diamond Engagement Rings For Something A Little More Non-Traditional

Prince George Making Christmas Pudding Is The Gift We Never Knew We Needed

Prince George Making Christmas Pudding Is The Gift We Never Knew We Needed

Prince Charles Gets Royally Caught Up In Counterfeit Art Scandal

Prince Charles Gets Royally Caught Up In Counterfeit Art Scandal

Prince Charles "Reduced To Tears" As Prince William Prepares To Inherit Royal Role

Prince Charles "Reduced To Tears" As Prince William Prepares To Inherit Royal Role

20 Emerald Engagement Rings That Will Make You Green With Envy

20 Emerald Engagement Rings That Will Make You Green With Envy

Kate Middleton's Engagement Ring Was Actually Meant For Meghan Markle

Kate Middleton's Engagement Ring Was Actually Meant For Meghan Markle

This Photo Has Everybody Talking About Prince Harry And Prince Charles

This Photo Has Everybody Talking About Prince Harry And Prince Charles

MarieClaire
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • Beauty Crew
  • Home Beautiful
  • Instyle
  • Who

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • New Idea food
  • New Idea
  • Girlfriend
  • That’s Life
  • Practical Parenting
  • All Recipes
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • Airtasker
  • 7NEWS
  • SocietyOne
  • Health Engine
  • Starts at 60
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from Marie Claire

Magazine Subscription Offer

Save up to 39% + chance to WIN*-*Conditions apply

Shop This Offer
Save up to 39% + chance to WIN*