The Duchess of Edinburgh’s engagement ring is a striking and
classic gem that was created by a favourite jeweller and with a
love message hidden in its stones.
When Prince Edward announced his engagement to Sophie Rhys-Jones
on January 6th 1999, the engagement ring was front and
centre.
Rhys-Jones announced their engagement on January 6th 1999
(ITV still/ fair use)
The ring has three diamonds that feature a truly heartfelt
message; the centre diamond is a two carat oval-shaped diamond with
a smaller heart-shaped diamond on either side. The ring was
reportedly worth £105,000 and created by Garrard & Co.
ring features two heart shaped stones on either side of a central
gem
(ITV still/ fair use)
Garrard has created several engagement rings for the Royal
Family. A young Lady Diana Spencer selected a sapphire and diamond
Garrard ring for her engagement to the Prince of Wales which would
go on to be used by their elder son, Prince William, when he asked
Catherine Middleton to marry him. T and the Duke of York proposed
to Sarah Ferguson with Burmese ruby and diamond ring from the
jeweller.
ring for the first time following the royal wedding
announcement
(ITV still/ fair use)
In 1843, Queen Victoria appointed Garrard & Co as the official
Royal Jeweller. The firm re-cut the controversial Koh-i-noor
diamond for Prince Albert in 1852; the firm later worked on the
also-controversial Cullinan Diamond.
Garrard also created Queen Mary’s crown for the 1911 coronation,
as well as Queen Elizabeth (later the Queen Mother)’s crown for the
1937 coronation, meaning that The Duchess of Edinburgh is in good
company with her engagement ring.
