Kate Middleton wearing her sapphire and diamond engagement ring.Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images
When a member of the royal family puts a ring on it, it normally comes with a heavy dose of history and sentiment.
WhenPrince Philipproposed toQueen Elizabethback in 1947, he used diamonds from a tiara belonging to his mother Princess Andrew of Greece to make a stunning diamond engagement ring for his bride-to-be. In doing so, he started quite the trend in repurposing heirloom jewels for royal brides.
“It’s wonderful because it gives an old piece of jewelry new life,” jeweler to the royals,Annoushka Ducas, tells PEOPLE. “There’s something so lovely about handing down the memories, the narrative and what that piece of jewelry reminds you of, it’s a complex thing.”
Queen Elizabeth at Windsor Castle.Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images
Fast-forward 70 years andPrince Harryfollowed suit, this time with a bittersweet nod to his late mother Princess Diana; using two stones from her personal jewelry collection to designMeghan Markle’s engagement ring. “The little diamonds on either side are from my mother’s jewelry collection to make sure that she’s with us on this crazy journey together,” he said at the time of their engagement in 2017.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on the day of their engagement announcement.DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images
Kate Middleton and Princess Diana wearing the same engagement ring.Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images; Chris Jackson/Getty Images
When Charles remarried in 2005, he also shopped from his own family jewelry box — choosing a stunning Art Deco diamond ring from his grandmother’s personal collection. The Queen Mother (who replaced her own engagement ring with a pearl and diamond design during the course of her marriage) and Charles were reportedly very close until her death in 2002.
Camilla Parker Bowles wearing a ring that once belonged to the Queen Mother.Anwar Hussein/WireImage; Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images
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Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew alongside Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank on the day of their engagement announcement.Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images; Jonathan Brady - WPA Pool/Getty Images
Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Princess Beatrice.Princess Eugenie
“We talked about aesthetic — he really loved Art Deco and Beatrice really likes the Victorian aesthetic in jewelry so we fused those two elements together, fusing their personalities,” Leane told PEOPLE at the time of their engagement.
source: people.com
