Royal Jewel Rewind: Victoria and Daniel’s Royal Engagement

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Ten years ago, the royal world got a thrill when Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden officially announced her engagement to her long-time beau, Daniel Westling. Here’s a look back at the jewels she wore during their engagement press conference.

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On February 24, 2009, Victoria and Daniel appeared before the press in the Royal Palace in Stockholm, where they announced that they were planning to marry in the summer of 2010. The couple began dating in 2002; Daniel was her personal trainer before he became her boyfriend.

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To underscore the importance of their marriage — the union of a future queen regnant and her prince consort — the couple sat beneath a portrait of the first Bernadotte king as they explained their future plans to the gathered media.

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Victoria chose subtle jewels for the press conference, including a pair of amethyst stud earrings (very appropriate for February, and perfectly coordinated with the color of her dress) and a petite, diamond-studded wild rose brooch.

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She also wore a pair of bracelets on her left wrist. (Unfortunately, although the angle of this image suggests otherwise, Daniel did not wear a golden crown to the press conference.)

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Of course, though, everyone’s attention was on the engagement ring. Daniel and Victoria broke from Swedish engagement ring tradition, in which the bride and groom exchanged slim gold bands to mark their engagement. Instead, they shifted toward popular Western tradition, with Daniel offering Victoria a diamond solitaire ring.

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The sparkling diamond was set in a ring made of white gold. Victoria also wore another silver-toned ring on her right hand during the press conference.

Linda Broström, The Royal Court of Sweden

This weekend, the Swedish royal court released a new portrait of a smiling, relaxed Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel to mark the anniversary of their engagement. Ten years on, the couple have two children, Princess Estelle and Prince Oscar, and seem just as happy together as the day they married.