British royal engagement rings through history

By Joshua Hendren

A royal engagement calls for an iconic sparkler to match. Here, we chart the British Royal Family’s most memorable engagement rings, from Queen Elizabeth’s diamond-set platinum band to Camilla, the new Queen Consort, and her bigger-the-better Art Deco token.

The Queen Mother

The Duke of York proposed to Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (later known as the Queen Mother) with a sapphire ring flanked by diamonds and presented on a Welsh gold wedding band. She would later swap out the engagement ring for a singular pearl surrounded by tiny diamond accents.

The Duchess of Windsor, Wallis Simpson

“We are ours now 27 X 36” was the message King Edward VIII had engraved on the interior of Wallis Simpson’s Cartier engagement ring. The platinum sparkler is set with a dazzling 19.77K rectangular emerald surrounded by diamond baguettes. 

Queen Elizabeth II

Created by Bond Street jeweller Philip Antrobus, the diamonds on Queen Elizabeth’s platinum-set engagement ring came from a tiara owned by the Duke of Edinburgh’s mother, Princess Alice of Battenberg.

Princess Margaret

Antony Armstrong-Jones proposed to Princess Margaret with a large ruby ring set in diamonds that was made to look like a rosebud, in honour of the princess’ middle name, Rose.

Princess Diana

Princess Diana’s spectacular white gold engagement ring was designed by royal jeweller Garrard and features an oval 12K Ceylon sapphire surrounded by 14 diamonds.

Princess Anne

Designed by Garrard, Princess Anne’s engagement ring features an eye-catching sapphire at its centre, complemented by a clear diamond on either side.

The Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson

Set in yellow gold, Sarah Ferguson’s engagement ring is instantly recognisable thanks to the huge Burmese ruby at its core, which comes surrounded by ten diamonds to form a glittering cluster.

Sophie Rhys Jones, Countess of Wessex

The white-gold-set engagement ring of the Countess of Wessex features a two-carat central oval diamond flanked by two heart-shaped diamonds. It was made by Asprey and Garrard.

Autumn Phillips

This sparkling finger candy, set in platinum with a central oval diamond and two additional diamonds on either side, belongs to Autumn Phillips, the former wife of Peter Phillips.

Zara Tindall

Mike Tindall proposed to Princess Anne’s daughter Zara Phillips in 2010 with this split diamond-set platinum band punctuated by a solitaire diamond.

Catherine, Princess of Wales

Kate Middleton’s engagement ring was originally bought by the Prince of Wales for Diana. Here, the new Princess of Wales showcases the ring’s vibrant beauty at a photocall in St James’s Palace to mark her engagement to Prince William.

Camilla, Queen Consort

Camilla, the new Queen Consort, flashes her engagement ring during a party at Windsor Castle in 2015. The stunning platinum Art Deco design features a 5K emerald-cut diamond at its centre surrounded by baguettes on each side.

Meghan Markle

Two diamonds from the personal jewellery collection of Princess Diana sparkle on Meghan Markle’s yellow-gold band. Made by court jewellers Cleave and Company, the diamond centrepiece was sourced from Botswana by Prince Harry himself.

Princess Eugenie

The sunset glow at the centre of Princess Eugenie’s engagement ring is lit by a padparadscha sapphire surrounded by a cluster of diamonds that form a floral silhouette.

Princess Beatrice

Princess Beatrice’s stunning platinum and diamond band boasts a 3.5K round diamond with tapered baguettes on each side.

Like this? Discover Meghan Markle’s top fifteen jewellery looks