When it comes to grandiose stories of love, the British royal family definitely holds the crown. Their engagement rings are more than just ornamental pieces; they are windows into history, charting tales of romance, alliances, and style. Let’s dive into the fascinating world of royal jewellery, seen through the centuries.
Queen Victoria: The Promise of ‘Forever’
In 1840, Queen Victoria’s engagement ring set a new standard. Prince Albert gifted her a gold serpent ring, its head adorned with a bright green cabochon emerald, which was her birthstone. Victorian society quickly became enamoured over its symbolism: in the 19th-century, snakes represented eternal love and wisdom.
While modern sensibilities for engagement rings may shy away from serpentine jewellery, the queen’s style was nothing short of visionary. It married sentiment with a story, ushering in a love that would define an era. Her devotion to Albert endured even after his death, cementing the ring as the ultimate symbol of romance.
Portrait of Queen Victoria By George Hayter - Royal Collection
Queen Mary: Edwardian Elegance
It was in 1893 that the Edwardian era’s taste for floral and delicate engagement rings took centre stage. When Princess Mary of Teck, soon to become Queen Mary, accepted King George V’s proposal, her engagement ring mirrored the fashion of the age.
Featuring an elongated oval diamond, set in platinum and accented by smaller stones, her ring reflected the very unique style of the time. Platinum, a novelty metal, was gaining popularity due to its strength and purity — perfect for the burgeoning Art Nouveau movement that sought to imitate intricate petals in swirling shapes. Queen Mary’s eye for jewellery set the tone for decades after.
Mary of Teck in 1901 by William James Topley
Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother: Sapphire or Pearl?
By the 1920s, sapphires were taking centre stage. When King George VI proposed to Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon in 1923, he chose a classic yet dazzling sapphire ring surrounded by diamonds.
Blue sapphires, long associated with loyalty and nobility, were a symbolic choice during the interwar years, when the monarchy was seen as a beacon of stability. The Queen Mother’s sapphire set a royal trend, influencing future generations to embrace colourful gemstones for their engagement pieces.
Years later, the Queen Mother decided to swap her sapphire stone with a large pearl surrounded in a diamond halo, which suited her outfits more — proof that it is never too late to create a design that truly fits your style.
Portrait of the young Queen Mother, by Philip de László
Queen Elizabeth II: A Demure Classic
In 1947, Britain was reeling from the ravages of war and the signs of austerity were everywhere. Yet, Prince Philip found a way to make his proposal to Princess Elizabeth significant amid the country’s disarray.
He designed her engagement ring using diamonds repurposed from a tiara belonging to his mother, Princess Alice of Battenberg. The result? A timeless platinum design featuring a 3-carat round diamond, accented by smaller pavé-set stones. The ring was a masterclass in understated elegance, reflecting the young couple’s deep love and a subtle nod to sustainability long before it became a trend.
The Queen and Prince Philip at Buckingham Palace after their wedding, 1947
Princess Diana: The People’s Sapphire
One the most iconic royal engagements ring of all time, Princess Diana’s 1981 Garrard masterpiece was a landmark moment in royal jewellery. This piece features a 12-carat Ceylon blue sapphire (the most sought-after hue for such stones), surrounded by a halo of 14 diamonds, and set in 18-carat white gold.
Breaking tradition, Diana famously selected the ring herself from a catalogue — a modern move that showed that women could have a hand in choosing their ring. At the time, some critics balked at its ‘off-the-shelf’ origins, but the ring quickly became synonymous with Diana’s unique blend of approachability and glamour. Today, it graces the hand of Catherine, Princess of Wales, bridging past and present together.
Princess Diana By John Mathew Smith
Meghan Markle: A Modern Heirloom
Fast-forward to 2017, and Prince Harry’s proposal to Meghan Markle brought a fresh perspective to royal engagement rings. The bespoke design features a cushion-cut diamond from Botswana, flanked by two smaller diamonds from Princess Diana’s collection.
The ring, set in yellow gold, perfectly balanced Meghan’s minimalist style while keeping to a traditional look. It’s a piece that speaks volumes: contemporary, sentimental, and deeply personal to the couple’s story.
Meghan and Harry by Mark Jones
