Princess Diana’s engagement ring has been in the royal family for more than four decades, from the early days of her relationship with Prince Charles to its place on Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales’ hand today.
But a new report suggests that the ring’s real story is more than what meets the eye. In that, it is also about how Diana made a very public choice that did not match royal expectations — and how that choice set her apart from the start.
Princess Diana’s engagement ring ‘was seen as a significant departure from tradition,’ per source
RadarOnline exclusively reported that Princess Diana chose her engagement ring in 1981 from a Garrard catalogue rather than opting for a custom piece.
The report says this mattered within royal circles, since brides traditionally wore rings created as one-of-a-kind designs against Diana’s 12-carat oval Ceylon sapphire ring, which cost more than $37,000 at the time. Moreover, it had 14 diamonds.
The outlet reported that the ring stood out because the public could buy the same design, which amplified the reaction to Diana’s pick.
A palace source told RadarOnline, “At the time, this ring was seen as a significant departure from tradition – royal brides were expected to wear something unique, commissioned and entirely exclusive.”
Hence, “Diana choosing a ring that anyone could theoretically buy was viewed by some as almost unthinkable.” But as the source noted, “It also spoke volumes about her independence and instinct to do things differently,” when she wore the ring during her marriage and at times after her 1996 divorce.
Furthermore, the design is still connected to royal history and echoes a sapphire brooch that Prince Albert gave Queen Victoria in 1840.
After Princess Diana died in 1997 at age 36, Prince Harry reportedly inherited the engagement ring and later passed it to Prince William when William prepared to propose to Catherine in 2010. Now, what some once viewed as a break from tradition became one of the strongest symbols related to Diana.
