Prince William Proposes to Kate Middleton With Diana’s Sapphire Ring

After an eight-year courtship and much intense scrutiny from the press and the public alike, Prince William of England has finally popped the question to his girlfriend, Kate Middleton. And guess what? She said yes! More surprising than the engagement, which even the Queen said has been in the works for a while, is the ring that Prince William used to propose. Now sitting proudly on the future Princess Kate’s finger is the very same sapphire and diamond engagement ring once worn by William’s mother, Princess Diana.

Diana’s ring has a long and storied history. Princess Di received the ring from her husband, Prince Charles, when they got engaged in 1981. The ring consists of a spectacular 18-carat sapphire surrounded by 14 small diamonds. In the early 1980’s, fascination with all things relating to the elusive and fashionable Princess Diana created a sharp surge in the popularity of sapphire engagement rings. Jewelers today are already gearing up for a similar spike in demand. Sapphire and diamond three-stone rings have already been a rising trend; this recent development will only cement the sapphire’s place as a perfect accompaniment to a beautiful diamond.

Princess Diana’s first appearance in public with this non-traditional engagement ring sparkled a trend for individuality in engagement rings. To this day, despite the popularity of classic styles like the tiffany setting, more and more brides are choosing unique styles, featuring colored gemstones and unusual settings, that reflect their unique personalities.

Prince William explained his choice of his mother’s famous ring, despite the strong association that it has with her tragic life. Giving Kate the ring "was my way of making sure that my mother didn't miss out on today and the excitement and the fact that we're going to spend the rest of our lives together,” he said in an official statement.

Interestingly, in the three decades that have passed since his mother began wearing the elegant engagement ring, decadent engagement rings have become so common among movie stars and other celebrities that this particular ring is no long unique in its size or value. However, the elegant and tasteful design of the ring is perfectly suited for royalty, and the sentimental value attached to the ring of the world’s princess is priceless.