The Duchess of Sussex not only changed her dress for the reception, but she also wore some of her jewelry. She wore an aquamarine ring that belonged to her new husband's late mother. This is its story.
This afternoon, as Meghan Markle left Windsor Castle on her way to her wedding celebration, attention was focused on her new dress. She was no longer wearing the simple yet elegant Clare Waight Keller gown that accompanied her to the altar. Now she wore a less traditional dress, with off-the-shoulder sleeves and a mermaid silhouette, by designer Stella McCartney.
As she greeted the press, a ring she hadn't worn before was visible on her right hand. It is an aquamarine stone surrounded by diamonds that belongs to Princess Diana's collection. This was another way in which Prince Harry honored his mother's memory on his wedding day.
The story of the ring begins when Prince Charles's marriage to Princess Diana ended. For fifteen years, Diana wore her engagement ring on her left hand, a 12-carat blue sapphire surrounded by 14 diamonds. After her divorce, she sought a ring to accompany her in her new life. She chose an emerald-cut aquamarine, also surrounded by diamonds.
Diana paid approximately 75,000 euros for the ring and even selected coordinating pieces so she could wear it on different occasions. Although she continued to wear her engagement ring for some events, she had a new favorite in her jewelry box.
Princess Diana died a year after her divorce, leaving behind her jewelry collection. Her engagement ring was inherited by William, her eldest son, who used it to propose to his wife, Kate. Her younger son opted for something different and used two diamonds from her collection to create a new ring for his girlfriend, Meghan.
It wasn't until their wedding day that Harry surprised his bride with a ring that had belonged to his mother. Since it belonged to Diana and not the monarchy, Harry can give it to his wife without needing permission from his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. Like Diana, Meghan is also divorced and can wear it as a symbol of her new life. Although it's still unclear whether it's a loan or a gift, the aquamarine ring that once adored Diana now accompanies Meghan on her first day as a member of the family.
