25 Royal Engagement Rings We Love

Engagement rings have long been a cherished tradition among royals, and their choices often set trends in the world of jewelry. The royals’ exquisite taste and eye for detail are evident in their engagement rings, which range from timeless classics to unique and unconventional designs.

Wallis Simpson, the wife of Prince Edward, is credited with popularizing the trend of colored engagement rings. Since then, royals and celebrities alike have embraced ruby rings, sapphire stones, and even rare orange diamonds, adding a touch of vibrancy and individuality to their rings.

However, many royals still opt for traditional diamond rings, such as Queen Elizabeth’s elegant 3-carat center stone or Princess Sofia of Sweden’s stunning pavé band. Some royals have even chosen to break away from conventional settings, favoring more unique shapes and designs. Princess Margaret’s ruby ring resembled a rosebud, while Queen Margrethe of Denmark’s Toi et Moi design features two large diamonds, symbolizing the bride and groom.

Whether you prefer a classic or a more edgy style, royal engagement rings offer a wealth of inspiration. From Grace Kelly’s timeless elegance to Kate Middleton’s modern sophistication, these rings showcase the royals’ impeccable taste and serve as a testament to the enduring allure of these precious symbols of love and commitment.

Wallis Simpson made history as the first royal to popularize the trend of colorful gemstone engagement rings. Her romance with Prince Edward led to his abdication of the British throne, but he proposed with a remarkable 19.77-carat emerald ring from Cartier, engraved with “We are ours now 27 x 36,” marking their engagement date of October 27, 1936. Notably, the engagement occurred before his abdication, adding to the scandal.

Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, the Queen Mother, initially received a more traditional sapphire and diamond engagement ring from King George VI. However, she later swapped it for a unique band featuring a large pearl surrounded by a collar of diamonds, a feminine and unusual design that caught attention.

Queen Elizabeth II’s engagement ring, given by Prince Philip in 1947, has stood the test of time. The diamonds were sourced from a tiara that originally belonged to Philip’s mother, Princess Alice of Greece, a gift from Tsar Nicholas II and Tsarina Alexandra of Russia. The timeless platinum ring features a round 3-carat center stone flanked by clusters of smaller diamonds. The Queen pairs it with a Welsh gold band, upholding a nearly century-old family tradition.

Grace Kelly, Princess of Monaco, set a royal style trend with her eye-catching engagement ring from Cartier. The centerpiece is an over 10-carat emerald-cut diamond flanked by baguette stones set in platinum, exuding elegance and sophistication.

Princess Margaret’s engagement ring from Antony Armstrong-Jones featured a ruby surrounded by diamonds, resembling a rosebud – a nod to her middle name, Rose. This unique design showcased her future husband’s vision and creativity.

Queen Margrethe of Denmark’s engagement ring is truly one-of-a-kind. Her husband proposed with a Toi et Moi ring, a style that became popular in 2022, featuring two diamonds representing the bride and groom. Despite her husband’s passing in 2018, she continues to wear the ring he gave her in 1967, a testament to their enduring love.

These royal engagement rings not only symbolize love and commitment but also reflect the personal styles and stories of their owners, making them priceless heirlooms.

Royal engagement rings have long been a source of fascination, each one carrying its own unique story and symbolism. Here are some notable examples:

Princess Diana’s iconic ring featured a 12-carat oval blue Ceylon sapphire set in 18-karat white gold, surrounded by 14 solitaire diamonds. Unconventionally, she chose it herself from a collection presented by Garrard, the crown jeweler at the time.

Sarah Ferguson’s engagement ring from Garrard showcased an oval-cut Burmese ruby encircled by 10 diamonds on a gold band. Rumor has it, the vibrant stone complemented her fiery red hair.

Lady Sarah Chatto, Princess Margaret’s daughter, received a vintage cluster engagement ring when Daniel Chatto proposed in 1994.

For Crown Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece, a cabochon sapphire in an East-West setting was elegantly paired with a heart-shaped diamond, creating a non-traditional yet stunning combination.

These rings not only symbolize the love and commitment between the couples but also reflect the unique personalities and preferences of the royal brides-to-be.

Sophie, Countess of Wessex, is married to Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, the son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. Her engagement ring, designed by Garrard, features an elegant and classic silhouette. It comprises an oval-cut center diamond flanked by two heart-shaped diamonds, set in white gold. The addition of the heart-shaped diamonds lends a sweet and romantic touch to the ring.

Queen Maxima of The Netherlands, who was born in Argentina, received an engagement ring that pays homage to her husband’s Dutch heritage. The ring features an orange oval diamond, the national color of The Netherlands, flanked by two bullet-cut diamonds between two diamond bands. This design beautifully incorporates the symbolic color of the country.

Crown Princess Mary of Denmark met Crown Prince Frederik in Sydney, Australia, during the 2000 Olympic summer games. When the Prince proposed three years later, he presented her with a ring inspired by the Danish flag. The stepped design features a center emerald-cut diamond, with emerald-cut rubies on either side, representing the colors of the Danish flag.

Queen Letizia of Spain’s engagement ring is a modern eternity band featuring a series of baguette-cut diamonds, showcasing her flawless taste. Unlike traditional rings with a center stone, her ring is a contemporary design. Similar to Queen Elizabeth II and Duchess Catherine, she pairs the ring with a yellow gold wedding band, mixing metals.

Camilla Parker Bowles received an Art Deco ring from Prince Charles’s grandmother’s collection for their engagement. The ring boasts a large emerald-cut diamond flanked by smaller emerald-cut diamonds, reflecting its vintage style.

Autumn Phillips, the first to marry one of Queen Elizabeth II’s grandchildren, received a platinum ring from Peter Phillips, Princess Anne’s son. The ring features an oval-cut diamond flanked by smaller diamonds, making it a classic and elegant choice.

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden broke Swedish tradition when her husband, Daniel Westling, proposed with a white gold solitaire ring featuring a round brilliant-cut diamond in 2009. In Sweden, it is customary for the bride and groom to exchange gold bands upon engagement and purchase a diamond ring for the bride on their wedding day.

Zara Tindall, daughter of Princess Anne and granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II, received a ring fit for royalty when her husband, rugby player Mike Tindall, proposed in 2010. The ring features a round center diamond set above a split-shank band with channel-set diamonds, adding extra sparkle.

Princess Charlene of Monaco, married to Grace Kelly’s son, Prince Albert II, has a spectacular engagement ring that breaks from traditional designs. Her ring features a three-carat, pear-cut diamond surrounded by round diamonds, enhancing the center stone’s inherent sparkle.

Princess Madeleine of Sweden’s engagement ring features a large Asscher-cut diamond in a minimalist setting, complemented by a delicate pavé band that accentuates the Art Deco facets of the center stone. This ring was gifted to her by financier Christopher O’Neill when he proposed in 2013.

Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, wears an iconic sapphire engagement ring that once belonged to Princess Diana. Prince William gifted his mother’s ring to Kate as a way of honoring her memory, making this ring priceless due to its historical significance.

In 2014, Prince Carl Phillip proposed to model Sofia Hellqvist with a round diamond ring surrounded by smaller diamonds on a pavé band. After their wedding, Princess Sofia now pairs her engagement ring with a diamond-encrusted wedding band.

When Prince Harry proposed to Meghan Markle, he chose to design the engagement ring himself, rather than selecting a piece from Princess Diana’s collection. The stunning three-stone ring features a center diamond from Botswana, a country dear to the couple’s hearts. Diamonds from Princess Diana’s collection flank the center stone on either side. In 2019, the Duchess upgraded the ring by replacing the original solid gold band with a thin micro-pavé band.

Princess Eugenie’s engagement ring from Jack Brooksbank bears a resemblance to her mother’s colorful engagement ring. The ring features an oval pink-orange padparadscha sapphire surrounded by diamonds.

As the most recent royal to get engaged, Princess Beatrice’s ring differs materially from the jewels of her sister, Princess Eugenie, and her mother, Sarah Ferguson. Her fiancé, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, proposed with a three-stone engagement ring featuring a round-cut center diamond flanked by a pair of baguette diamonds. The royal ring was designed by jeweler Shaun Lane.