The Four Most Iconic Royal Engagement Rings

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You don’t need to be a real-life princess to feel like royalty on your big day. The engagement rings from royal families have an undeniable allure and offer timeless inspiration for brides everywhere.

From Kate Middleton’s £390,000 circled sapphire to Wallis Simpson’s 19-carat emerald (the first to start the colored gemstone trend), the British royals have always picked engagement rings that exude elegance and enduring style.

Here are four of our favorite iconic royal engagement rings, each with a story that adds a special sparkle.

Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth II’s engagement ring was given to her by Prince Phillip in 1947. Crafted from platinum, this ring features an exquisite 3-carat round solitaire diamond at its center, flanked by five smaller diamonds on each side.

These 11 diamonds weren’t simply selected for their beauty – they were taken from a tiara owned by Prince Philip’s mother, Princess Alice of Battenberg. They were originally a gift from Tsar Nicholas II and Tsarina Alexandra of Russia to the Princess.

Kate Middleton

Perhaps one of the most expensive royal rings to date (and most well-known!), Kate Middleton’s sapphire engagement ring instantly captured the world’s attention. It’s the same ring that Prince William’s father, King Charles, used in his proposal to his mother, Princess Diana.

Encircled by a halo of 14 diamonds and set in 18-carat white gold, Prince William gave it to his future queen to commemorate his mother’s memory.

Princess Beatrice

In 2020, Princess Beatrice received a truly unique engagement ring from her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi. He collaborated with designer Shaun Leane, one of the jewelry brands adored by the royals, to create this custom three-stone engagement ring.

Beatrice’s ring features a stunning round diamond center stone, flanked by two baguette-cut diamonds on each side, all set on a diamond-studded band. This sophisticated yet contemporary ring design is reminiscent of Art Deco styles but with a fresh, updated twist.

Princess Diana

When Prince Charles proposed to Lady Diana Spencer in 1981, he presented her with a 12-carat Ceylon sapphire ring that would quickly become one of the most iconic engagement rings in history. This striking sapphire was sourced from Sri Lanka and was given at a time when colored gemstones were unconventional.

This distinctive sapphire cluster design set a new standard for royal rings and has continued to inspire brides who love colored stones.