Why Princess Diana’s Engagement Ring Caused Controversy

Princess Diana’s engagement ring is one of the most famous pieces of jewelry. The 12-carat oval-cut sapphire stone, which was sourced from Sri Lanka, is surrounded by 14 round-cut solitaire diamonds—and set in 18-karat white gold. When Prince Charles proposed to Diana with the sparkler in 1981, it was estimated to be worth $37,500 to $60,000, equivalent to approximately $520,000 today. However, the look of the sparkler wasn’t a surprise to the princess when Charles popped the question; the then-bride had selected it from a Garrard’s catalog. Yet, in doing so, Diana broke with tradition, making the piece a controversial pick in the eyes of the British royal family.

Since the jewel was featured in a catalog, anyone could have purchased it. According to Vogue, this fact did not sit well with members of Charles’s family—who didn’t want commoners having the same access to the jewels worn by a royal bride. Additionally, some didn’t see the blue sapphire stone as particularly unique, the outlet reported. Yet, even though she faced criticism for her selection, Diana didn’t waver in her choice. She continued to wear her engagement ring during her marriage to Charles. And after the couple divorced in 1996, the princess continued to don the piece on occasion, due to her love for it, Vogue reported.

What Was the Inspiration Behind Princess Diana’s Engagement Ring?

According to the Daily Mail, the jeweler took inspiration from Prince Albert’s wedding present to Queen Victoria in 1840. That piece, a brooch with a diamond and sapphire design, served as Queen Victoria’s “something blue” on her wedding day. In the decades since, Queen Elizabeth repeatedly wore the brooch at a number of public events. However, the monarch wasn’t the only one to turn to the accessory in recent history. In 2024, Queen Camilla added the piece to her ensemble for the Royal Ascot, affixing it to her blue suit jacket.

Where Is Princess Diana’s Engagement Ring Now?

After Diana’s death, Prince William inherited the sapphire sparkler, eventually using it to propose to Kate Middleton in 2010. While she continues to wear the piece, in recent months, she has often swapped it out on occasion for a ring stack. And even though she’s never commented on the reason for the switch, it’s likely due to the maintenance the heirloom piece requires. “Kate and her team will need to employ careful maintenance with regular inspections and in-depth evaluations, gentle cleaning to restore sheen, and if necessary, expert repairs to ensure its longevity,” Ben Roberts, the managing director of Clogau, the brand responsible for the Welsh gold of the royal’s rings, told Hello!.

It appears that other royal brides don’t want to face the same pushback that Diana did when it comes to their ring selection. For example, Cleave and Company, the designers behind Meghan Markle’s engagement ring, announced that no replicas would be made soon after Prince Harry proposed to the California native. While Kate may be in possession of the iconic sapphire, Harry made sure that Meghan’s piece featured a sentimental nod to his late mother by including stones from her personal jewelry collection.