Harry had chosen Diana's signature engagement ring as a personal keepsake after his mother's tragic death in 1997. It held immense sentimental value for him, as he often spoke about how he remembered holding Diana's hand when he was a young boy, even though the ring was too large for his small hand. He had always intended to give this iconic ring to his future wife.
However, the ring ended up adorning the hand of William's bride, Catherine, in 2010. This distribution of Diana's personal jewelry followed her untimely death in a Paris car crash at the age of 36. Her two young sons, Harry and William, were each allowed to select items from her collection. Harry chose the 12-carat sapphire and diamond ring, while William, who is now the Prince of Wales, chose a gold Cartier tank watch.
It was later said that Harry had willingly given up the famous ring as a heartfelt gesture when he realized that Catherine was the right match for his brother. At the time, Harry had no prospective spouse on the horizon. However, according to an insider, this was far from the truth. The Duke of Sussex revealed in his recent memoir that he never gave William the ring because it wasn't his to give; William had already received it when their mother passed away.
In 2017, when Harry fell in love with Meghan Markle and wanted to propose, his lingering resentment over the loss of the cherished ring resurfaced. He had hoped that his future wife would wear the same ring that his mother had received from their father, King Charles, in 1981. However, by that time, it was too late, and the ring was in Catherine's possession.
The courtier who shared this information suggests that Harry's unresolved emotions regarding the ring played a significant role in his and Meghan's decision to step away from their royal duties and pursue careers in Hollywood.
Paul Burrell, who served both Diana and the late Queen, contradicts Harry's claims. He recalled that when the brothers chose items from their mother's collection, they did so with fond memories in mind. William chose the Cartier tank watch because he remembered Diana wearing it. Harry, on the other hand, opted for Mommy's engagement ring, the one that held a special place in his childhood memories.
Paul further noted that some arrangement must have been made when William became engaged to Kate, allowing Harry to have temporary possession of the ring. Initially, William was content with this arrangement, as he is not particularly materialistic and valued the sentimental significance of the simple items chosen by both brothers.
The rift between the two princes appears to be deeper than just the ring. Harry's resentment towards William stems from various factors, including William's status as the heir to the throne, his relationship with Catherine, and the perception that William possesses many of Diana's desirable traits. Meghan's influence and their subsequent departure from royal life have added to the complexities of their relationship.
