Which Royal Bride Received the Most Expensive Engagement Ring?

After announcing a royal engagement, the soon-to-be newlyweds are typically asked to share the story of their partnership, as well as the proposal, with the public. And when recounting how one popped the question, there’s another key element that must be discussed: the ring. Queen Elizabeth, Kate Middleton, and Meghan Markle are three of the most famous royal brides of the past century. As a result, the sparklers they received from their partners for this relationship milestone are also well-known. Yet, even though each of their pieces may have reached a similar level of notoriety, they are incredibly different in terms of cut, carat size, and price. For example, while Elizabeth received a round-cut diamond from Prince Philip, decades later, Prince William gave Kate Middleton an heirloom sapphire when it was his turn to propose.

Here, we answer one of the most common questions in relation to these jewels: Which royal bride received the most expensive engagement ring? Read on for the answer.

How Much Did Queen Elizabeth’s Engagement Ring Cost?

When Philip and Elizabeth disclosed their intention to marry in 1947, it was one of the most anticipated announcements. Even though the duo had secretly agreed to wed the previous year, her father, King George VI, insisted that the Greek royal wait until Elizabeth’s 21st birthday to share the news with the public. Philip did just that, reportedly popping the question after a month-long summer holiday at Balmoral with a three-carat round-cut jewel surrounded by 10 diamonds—all set in platinum. In addition to being timeless and beautiful, the piece was also sentimental; Philip used stones from a tiara that his mother, Princess Alice of Battenberg, had donned on her own wedding day to create the ring. According to Women’s Wear Daily, the sparkler is estimated to have cost $15,000 at the time, equivalent to approximately $250,000 today.

How Much Did Kate Middleton’s Engagement Ring Cost?

Kate Middleton wasn’t the first royal bride to wear her showstopping sapphire engagement. When Prince William proposed to his partner in 2010, he did so with the sparkler that his father, King Charles, had given to his mother, Princess Diana, in 1981. After their mother’s death, William and Prince Harry inherited the jewel. Ultimately, the former gained possession of the piece—and used it to pop the question to his longtime partner.

The ring, which features a 12-carat sapphire stone surrounded by 14 diamonds and set in 18-karat white gold, was reportedly one of multiple options Charles gave to Diana before he proposed. However, in selecting it, Diana broke with royal tradition. Rather than being a bespoke design, it was purchased from Garrard, a luxury jeweler in London, and available in the retailer’s catalog. When Charles first purchased the sparkler in 1981, it was estimated to have cost between $37,500 and $60,000. However, today, due to its history and inflation, the piece’s value hovers around $520,000.

How Much Did Meghan Markle’s Engagement Ring Cost?

After dating for just over a year, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their engagement on November 27, 2017. To mark the occasion, the royal gave his partner a three-carat cushion-cut diamond surrounded by two round diamonds and set on a gold band. Yet, in addition to its beautiful design, the piece also features a number of sentimental touches: The center stone was sourced from Botswana, a place that holds significance for the couple, while the side jewels are from Princess Diana’s personal collection.

However, in the years since, the former Suits star has modified the sparkler multiple times. In 2019, she swapped the band out for a thinner version. And in 2022, she added more diamonds around the center stone. Most recently, in the trailer for her Netflix show With Love, Meghan, some noted that the center diamond appeared to now be an emerald-cut stone—instead of the original cushion-cut jewel. In 2018, in its original form, the actress’s ring was estimated to cost $200,000, equivalent to approximately $260,000 today.