Truth behind Princess Kate’s engagement ring and how Harry rubbished ownership claims
Prince Harry has dismissed claims he swapped jewellery items belonging to the late Princess Diana with his brother, Prince William so that he could propose to Kate using Diana’s iconic sapphire engagement ring.
After the late Princess Diana’s tragic death in 1997, it was rumoured the sons chose personal items as a reminder of their mother, with Prince Harry selecting the sapphire engagement ring and Prince William opting for her Cartier Tank Française watch.
In 2010, it is believed the brothers swapped items, so William could use the ring to propose to Kate.
However, writing in his memoir, Spare, the Duke of Sussex branded these claims as “absolutely rubbish”. Harry said that William was already in possession of their mother’s ring when he proposed to Kate.
Harry writes: “The papers published florid stories about the moment I realised Will and Kate were well matched, the moment I appreciated the depth of their love and thus decided to gift Willy the ring I’d inherited from Mummy, the legendary sapphire, a tender moment between brothers, a bonding moment for all three of us, and absolute rubbish: none of it ever happened.
In Spare, Prince Harry also denied ever asking for the ring. He wrote: “I never gave Willy that ring because it wasn’t mine to give. He already had it. He’d asked for it after Mummy died, and I’d been more than happy to let it go.”
William eventually proposed to long-term girlfriend Kate in 2010 during a romantic getaway in Kenya, where the couple spent quality time in a cabin hut on a wildlife reserve.
The Garrard sapphire and diamond engagement ring was originally purchased by Charles for Diana in 1981 for their engagement. It cost a reported £28,000 and is now valued at upwards of £300,000.
When presented with various options, Diana and Charles reportedly selected this ring together, as it complemented her blue eyes.
The iconic ring is a 12ct oval Ceylon sapphire surrounded by 14 round diamonds and set in white gold. The sapphire is a traditional royal blue and is thought to have been mined in South Africa, according to Laings.
The sapphire and diamond engagement ring was inspired by Queen Victoria’s sapphire brooch from 1840, which she wore as her ‘something blue’ on her wedding day.
Jeremy Hinds, Director at jewellery experts F Hinds previously spoke to Express.co.uk about Princess Diana’s engagement ring.
The expert suggested that Diana’s choice of jewel created a trend in engagement rings. He said: “Even though it caused controversy at the time, it inspired many women to choose sapphire engagement rings and jewellery, and this love was increased even further when William gave Diana’s ring to Kate when he proposed to her in 2010.
After inheriting Diana’s ring, Kate is not the only living royal who received a sapphire engagement ring.
Princess Eugenie wears a show-stopping and “rare” oval-cut padparadscha sapphire and diamond ring, given to her by her now husband Jack Brooksbank.
The pink sapphire is “surrounded by a sleek halo of diamonds”, with another two diamonds set on the shoulders of the yellow gold band.
