WhenPrince Williamproposed toKate Middletonwith his late mother’siconic engagement ringin 2010, we were only getting half of the story.
It turns out Princess Diana’s ring—a 12-carat oval blue Ceylon faceted sapphire surrounded by 14 solitaire diamonds and set in 18K white gold—wasn’t actually Prince William’s to give away. According to a new report fromThe Sun, it was inherited by younger brotherHarry.
Per the report (and the Amazon Prime documentaryThe Diana Story),当戴安娜于1997年去世,哈里王子是允许的ed to select a piece from his mother’s jewelry collection, and he chose the ring. But when Prince William was getting ready to propose to Middleton, Harry offered it to his brother. Of course,Meghan Marklewasn’t yet in the picture, but the selfless gesture meant Harry wouldn’t be able to give the family heirloom to his own future wife. How very Diana of him.
This adds another facet (ha) to the ring’salready complex history. Before it sat on Middleton’s finger, it was presented to Diana byPrince Charlesin February 1981. Remarkably, the Garrard design was a stock item, meaning any commoner could snag the same piece. (Royal rings are traditionally bespoke.) Nevertheless, Diana wore it even after she and Charles separated (and up until the divorce was finalized in 1996). Oh yeah, and it’sreportedlyworth more than $500,000.