Prince Harry’s engagement ring has been the subject of royal intrigue for years, and new insights from Princess Diana’s former butler, Paul Burrell, are setting the record straight. In his 2023 memoir Spare, Prince Harry claimed he never owned his mother’s iconic sapphire engagement ring. However, Burrell recalls a different story, providing a unique look at the events surrounding one of the most famous Prince Harry’s engagement ring jewels in modern royal history.
The Controversy Behind Prince Harry’s Engagement Ring
According to Harry’s account in Spare, he never passed Princess Diana’s sapphire and diamond engagement ring to Prince William. Harry stated that William was the original owner after Diana’s passing. However, Paul Burrell, who served Diana from 1987 to 1997, told Daily Mirror on February 21, 2023, that he witnessed Harry requesting the sapphire and diamond ring while the brothers sorted through their late mother’s jewelry collection at Kensington Palace. Meanwhile, William asked about Diana’s Cartier watch.
How the Ring Ended Up With Prince William
While Burrell does not know the exact details of the brothers’ arrangement, he believes Harry willingly gave the ring to William so it could later appear on Kate Middleton’s finger. The sapphire and diamond ring famously appeared during William’s 2010 proposal. Burrell explains: “Harry obviously gave up his treasure to his brother so that it could be on the ring finger of his wife who would one day be queen.” This story adds context to the widespread media coverage suggesting Harry gifted the ring, which Harry later denied in his memoir.
Harry’s Version of Prince Harry’s Engagement Ring
In Spare, Harry emphasized that the media’s assumption about him gifting the sapphire ring was false: “The papers published florid stories about the moment I realized Willy and Kate were well matched... None of it ever happened. I never gave Willy that ring because it wasn’t mine to give.” By clarifying this point, Harry distanced himself from the notion that he influenced the engagement ring’s selection, highlighting how sentimental and historic royal jewels can become the subject of speculation.
Past Tensions With Burrell
Paul Burrell’s relationship with the princes has been complicated. After an accusation in 2002 that he stole items from Diana’s estate, Burrell was sued but not prosecuted, as evidence confirmed he was safeguarding the objects. Tensions continued after his 2003 memoir A Royal Duty, which revealed intimate details of Diana’s life. The princes publicly expressed disappointment, emphasizing their mother’s privacy and urging Burrell to end these revelations. Despite these conflicts, Burrell’s account of the iconic sapphire remains a critical insight into Prince Harry’s engagement ring history.
Key Takeaways
- Paul Burrell, Princess Diana’s former butler, offers a firsthand account of Prince Harry’s engagement ring story.
- Harry claimed in Spare that he never owned Diana’s sapphire ring, but Burrell recalls him requesting it from the collection.
- The iconic sapphire and diamond ring ultimately appeared on Kate Middleton’s finger in 2010.
- Harry’s version emphasizes that the media’s reports of him gifting the ring were inaccurate.
- The story highlights the sentimental and historical importance of Prince Harry’s engagement ring within the royal family.
- Tensions between Burrell and the princes have existed for years but do not diminish the ring’s emotional significance.
Understanding the true story behind Prince Harry’s engagement ring offers fans a glimpse into the private moments, emotions, and family dynamics surrounding one of the most famous royal jewels of modern times.
