Royal Engagement Rings. Duchess Camilla's Ring Is Cheaper Than Princess Diana's
Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, is wearing a classic diamond engagement ring from Prince Charles, which is cheaper than the sapphire ring that belonged to Princess Diana, according to a jewelry expert.
The engagement of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles was announced in 2005, and the future duchess appeared with a sensational ring bedecked with several emerald-cut diamonds. The ring was an emotional choice on Charles's part as it previously belonged to his beloved grandmother, the Queen Mother.
But while Camilla's ring is worth an enormous sum, it's probably less valuable than the engagement ring Charles gave Princess Diana.
"Camilla’s engagement ring is one of the most extensive and expensive in the Royal Family. Featuring a five-carat emerald-cut diamond, surrounded by three diamond baguettes, I’d estimate its value to be around £212,000. The ring also possesses a great amount of sentiment - though it wasn’t her engagement ring, the Queen Mother was seen wearing it in the 1980s," says Maxwell Stone, creative director at Steven Stone.
Camilla's And Diana's Engagement Rings Are Completely Different
Camilla's ring has often been compared to the one owned by Charles' ex-wife Princess Diana, but the jewels are totally different.
Diana's sapphire ring from Garrard features a 12-carat oval sapphire surrounded by sparkling diamonds. Princess Diana chose the ring herself but her choice caused a stir as the ring was available for anyone to purchase from Garrard's catalog, for a hefty price.
"The style of Camilla’s ring is completely different from Princess Diana’s," Mr. Stone added.
"Camilla’s three-stone diamond ring is traditional, while Diana’s sapphire ring is bold, and broke royal tradition at the time," the expert concluded.
Diana's engagement was never seen after her death in 1997, until it appeared on the hand of Prince William's fiancee, Kate Middleton, in 2010.
In an interview, William said the ring was "very special" to him, as it was to Kate, so it made sense for them to "appear together".
"Camilla's ring is completely different from Princess Diana's, it's a completely different style. Camilla's three-stone is traditional, while Diana's sapphire ring is bold and broke with royal tradition at the time,” says Stone.
"I would estimate that Camilla's ring is worth around £212,500 (USD 256,000) in today's market, while Princess Diana's is worth £390,000 (USD 470.000) and is likely to rise further due to its priceless history, beauty, and heritage."
Since her engagement was announced, Kate has rarely been photographed without her stunning engagement ring.
The duchess wears it alongside her traditional gold wedding band, which she received in 2011, and a diamond bracelet, which she was seen wearing after the birth of her first child, Prince George, in 2013, prompting many to believe it was a gift from William to mark the beginning of fatherhood.
Cover Photo Credit: Reagan White House Photographs, 1/20/1981 - 1/20/1989Collection: White House Photographic Collection, 1/20/1981 - 1/20/1989, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
