The iconic engagement ring of Diana, Princess of Wales, continues to be one of the most famous pieces of jewelry in British royal history. However, behind the brilliance of the blue sapphire and diamonds lies a story that once sparked major controversy within the Royal Palace.
When Charles III proposed to Diana in 1981, she did something that was considered a breach of royal protocol at the time: she chose her own engagement ring.
Instead of having the jewelry custom-made for her, as was traditionally done in the royal family, Diana selected the design from the catalog of the renowned jewelry house Garrard, the official jeweler to the British crown.
The ring featured a 12-carat oval sapphire from Ceylon, surrounded by 14 diamonds, and at the time was worth over $37,000. But what sparked debate was the fact that the design was not unique. Anyone with enough money could buy the same ring worn by the future princess.
According to British media, this choice was considered unusual by royal standards, where jewelry was exclusively created for members of the royal family.
The ring's design was inspired by a sapphire brooch that belonged to Queen Victoria, a gift from her husband, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, in 1840. It is said that Diana chose it also because of the sapphire's color, which matched her blue eyes.
After Diana's tragic death in 1997, the ring was inherited by Prince William, who later gave it to Catherine, Princess of Wales, when he proposed to her in 2010.
Meanwhile, new revelations from royal books and biographies have also brought renewed attention to the relationship between Diana and Charles. According to British authors, Diana had doubts about the marriage from the start, while their relationship was considered cold even before the official engagement.
Even today, decades later, the sapphire ring remains a symbol not only of Princess Diana's elegance but also of a story of love and rebellion against rigid royal traditions.