"The Diana ring", an essential engagement ring
The engagement ring that sealed the (evil) happy marriage between Prince Charles and Princess Diana in 1981 remains an inexhaustible source of inspiration for future brides. Back on its history, accompanied by a selection of beautiful blue sapphires to slip on the finger of the future bride.
We can distinguish a blue sapphire set with diamonds, placed on a simple silver ring which reminds us of another jewel whose aesthetic has become familiar to us today: the engagement ring of Princess Diana, when she pledged to marry Prince Charles, eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and first heir to the throne of England.
"It is a legendary piece of jewelry that was worn by an incredible woman. Diana was an icon to me." she adds. Yet beyond a legend worthy of a fairy tale carefully told by the British royal family 30 years earlier, the story behind this prestigious gem is hardly anything to dream about.
The story of Princess Diana's ring
At least that's what the final season of The Crown suggests, the Netflix series dedicated to the British royal family that broke audience records in the first week of its launch. And for good reason, these new episodes allow us to glimpse the different stages of the chaotic relationship between Diana Spencer and Prince Charles, including this famous scene preceding the officialization of the engagement in February 1981, during which the future princess, then only aged 20 years, chooses the ring which will dress from now on his left hand.
In a cozy atmosphere with palpable tension, we see Queen Elizabeth II, then played by Olivia Colman, presenting Diana (Emma Corin) with a rather special box of chocolate: a selection of engagement rings made by Garrard, the London jeweler. who served the royal family from 1843 to 2007.
The look of the future bride sweeps away the prodigious jewels, settles on a Burmese ruby which already belongs to the royal family, before setting its sights on the famous royal blue sapphire from Ceylon. "It's the most expensive." breath Charles, here played by Josh O’Connor. And he is not wrong. Set with 14 round diamonds and mounted on an 18-carat white gold ring, the 12-carat oval stone was then sold for over £ 47,000 by the royal jeweler.
The Queen would have literally raised her eyebrows. "At that time, it was said that the Sovereign was not exactly thrilled that the Princess was wearing a ring that anyone could have bought from this jeweler." Greg Kwiat, founder of Kwiat Diamonds and Fred Leighton jewelry stores, told The Knot bridal magazine.
By choosing an already existing ring, Diana was breaking the protocol of the royal family from the outset even before officially becoming a part of it. Scandal. The one who would later be nicknamed the Princess of Hearts was already getting noticed.
Sapphires and diamonds, the big trend of the 80s
For the experts on the contrary, the choice remains after all classic for a young girl of her rank. "It was completely consistent with her style, she was the new Sloane Ranger at the time" commented historian Vivienne Becker in the columns of British Vogue at the end of 2020. In addition, 80s fashion requires, fine jewelry did not hesitate not to be done in ostentatious bling, large precious stones such as sapphire, ruby or emerald, a fortiori surrounded by diamonds then being at the height of the trend.
But it would be for an entirely different reason that Lady Diana would have chosen this ring which she has never ceased to wear all her life, including after the infidelities of her royal husband and her tumultuous divorce in 1996. "It has long been said that it was because she reminded him of her own mother's engagement ring. Another theory says instead that she would have loved the deep blue of the sapphire because it matched the blue of her eyes perfectly. " explains Greg Kwiat.
Whatever the case, the engagement ring will quickly become as popular as its royal owner, with replicas flourishing with both great jewelers and experts at cheap replicas. Today, the original is valued at £ 300,000, or nearly € 500,000, and continues to symbolize a fate as tragic as it is iconic.
A gem passed on to Kate Middleton
But it was without counting the second life which awaited this jewel which, with the brutal disappearance of the princess, is handed over as an inheritance to the youngest son of Princess Diana, Prince Harry, before the latter decides thereafter of the 'gift to his older brother, Prince William. Promised to the throne, the first heir to the British crown will ask Kate Middleton in marriage with this emotionally charged sapphire.
Quite a symbol. "He made the choice to keep his mother's memory close to his heart by putting the ring on the finger of his wife and future Queen of England." comments Greg Kwiat. Results ? The enthusiasm for the ring is picking up again and made in China replicas abound everywhere, including at Mark & Spencer where you can afford a respectable copy for only 20 euros .
Even today, a simple Google search can get the ring for a few dollars on Etsy and other marketplaces.
For those who wish to reveal the princess within them, here is a selection of engagement rings inspired by Diana Spencer's precious blue sapphire.
