The backstory of this prized ring is quite sentimental. Harry had chosen Diana's signature engagement ring as a personal keepsake following his mother's tragic death in 1997. The ring held immense sentimental value for him, as he often reminisced about holding Diana's hand when he was a young boy, even though the ring was too large for his small hand. Harry had always intended to give this iconic ring to his future wife.
However, the twist in the tale came when 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 willingly gave 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 narrative was far from the truth.
In his recent memoir, the Duke of Sussex revealed 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 in Catherine's possession.
A 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. William was content with this arrangement, valuing the sentimental significance of the simple items chosen by both brothers.
Royal experts suggest that Prince William leads a vastly different life filled with more respect than Prince Harry. In the U.S., the Sussexes are viewed as celebrities and are treated as such. However, in Britain, there exists a much higher degree of respect for members of the royal family, and there's an unspoken understanding that they deserve to live their off-duty lives without being constantly pursued by the public and the media.
Comparing the Sussexes' life in the U.S. to their life in the UK, it's noteworthy how few images have circulated of the Cambridges during their off-duty moments, taken by smartphone-wielding onlookers. One rare photo of the Cambridges off-duty showed them on a soccer pitch with Prince George and his team, highlighting the privacy and respect they enjoy in the UK compared to their life as celebrities in the U.S.
