Why Queen Camilla Wears the Brooch That Inspired Princess Diana’s Ring

When it came time for Princess Diana to select an engagement ring, she chose a showstopping sapphire created by Garrard. However, the design of that piece was actually inspired by a famous heirloom: a diamond and sapphire brooch that had been a part of the royal collection since 1840, when it was given to Queen Victoria by Prince Albert the night before their wedding day. In a nod to her love for the accessory, Queen Victoria even opted to prominently feature the jewel on her gown the next day, making it her “something blue”. She continued to wear the sparkler frequently, which was known as Prince Albert’s Brooch, until her husband’s death in 1861.

Decades later, Queen Elizabeth often featured the piece as part of her ensemble, wearing it to a number of high-profile events. According to The Court Jeweller, the brooch was one of the jewels she wore most frequently. However, Queen Elizabeth was far from the only royal to love the sparkler. In recent years, Queen Camilla has also been spotted with the heirloom accessory during two important state visits, signaling her own attachment to it.

What to Know About Princess Diana’s Engagement Ring

Like the brooch, Diana’s ring, which is one of the world’s most well-known jewels, features a sapphire stone surrounded by solitaire diamonds. In 1981, Diana’s selection of the piece generated a fair amount of controversy. Since she had picked it from the Garrard’s catalog, it was available for anyone to purchase, a fact that frustrated members of the royal family, who wanted the princess’s jewel to be completely unique. Yet, the accessory quickly became one of the most iconic in the world, as well as one of the most expensive. When then-Prince Charles proposed to Diana, the piece was estimated to be worth $37,500 to $60,000, equivalent to approximately $520,000 today. After the princess’s death in 1997, her sons, Princes William and Harry, inherited the famous jewel. And in 2010, William used it to propose to Kate Middleton, who still wears it today.

Why Princess Diana Never Got to Wear the Brooch That Inspired Her Famous Engagement Ring

Yet, while the brooch may have inspired Diana’s beloved ring, the princess never got to wear the heirloom piece herself. During Diana’s time as a royal, Queen Elizabeth was still in possession of the jewel and often selected it for state visits and outings. It’s unknown whether the monarch ever considered lending the piece to Diana.

However, after Queen Elizabeth’s death in 2022, Queen Camilla has featured the accessory as part of her ensemble on a number of recent occasions. On March 31, 2023, Camilla wore the sparkler during a state visit to Hamburg, Germany. And earlier this year, on April 8, 2025, she paired the jewel with a complementary dress during her and King Charles III’s trip to Italy. According to Maxwell Stone, an expert jeweler, the center stone is estimated to be at least 40 carats and worth around $10 million, Marie Claire reported.