The Famous Sapphire Ring: From Diana to Kate

An engagement ring adorned with a stunning sapphire surrounded by diamonds has become one of the most iconic pieces of jewelry in the world.

Once worn by Princess Diana, it now graces the finger of the Princess of Wales, Kate.

However, it could have easily ended up in the possession of Meghan Markle.

Before we delve into the intricacies of inheriting Diana's ring, let's take a moment to appreciate its rich history.

In February 1981, Charles, eager to impress his young bride-to-be, invited renowned jewelers from the esteemed Garraud House to Windsor Castle.

They brought along their finest selection of engagement rings.

Among the dazzling array of jewelry, Diana was captivated by an 18-carat gold ring featuring 14 diamonds encircling a magnificent oval-shaped Ceylon sapphire.

The princess had a fondness for the color blue, and the sapphire quickly became her favorite gemstone.

However, what was meant to symbolize a fabulous life soon became a reminder of an unhappy marriage.

According to the memoirs of Prince Charles' former private secretary, Diana once threw the engagement ring at her husband during an argument.

This incident took place in the same year, during the fall.

Interestingly, even after their official divorce on August 28, 1996, Diana continued to wear the sapphire ring.

It held a special meaning for her – a symbol of hope.

The last public sighting of Lady Diana wearing the ring was on September 5th at Eton College, where her son was studying.

As part of the divorce agreement, she eventually surrendered the ring to the royal household.

Following Diana's tragic death, her sons were permitted to choose a keepsake from her jewelry collection.

William selected a gold Cartier watch, while 12-year-old Harry decided to hold onto the ring.

Diana's former butler, Paul Burrell, revealed that it held sentimental value for the younger prince.

Harry remembered how he would hold his mother's hand, and the sapphire felt so large that it would cut into his palm.

However, when it became apparent that William would be getting married first, Harry selflessly gave the ring to his brother.

This act showcased the incredibly touching bond between the two brothers.

It allowed the future king to feel his mother's presence during one of the most significant moments of his life.

Since then, the exquisite sapphire ring has adorned Kate's finger, captivating the hearts of millions of girls worldwide.

In fact, the craze for replicas in the UK was so intense that Kensington Palace imposed a ban on their production at the beginning of 2016.

As for Harry, he personally designed Meghan's wedding ring, incorporating two stones from his late mother's collection.