Sparkling Royal Jewels From Around the World
Queen Maxima has unlimited access to the extensive treasures of the Dutch royal jewelry vaults, but she also has an impressive personal jewel collection of her own, including this fabulous suite of jewels set with bright blue gemstones.
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| Vanity Fair |
With yesterday’s news that Prince Harry’s girlfriend, Meghan Markle, has given a candid interview to Vanity Fair, royal reporters appear to be hunkering down for imminent engagement news. While we wait to hear when Harry’s popped the question, let’s have a look at some of the rings worn by British royal brides.
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| Chris Jackson/Getty Images |
The Duke of Edinburgh proposed to Britain’s current monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, in 1947 with a diamond ring made by Philip Antrobus. He commissioned the ring, which features a round three-carat brilliant stone flanked by smaller pavé-set diamonds set in platinum. The diamonds in the ring are from a tiara given to his mother, Princess Andrew, by Emperor Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra of Russia. (Read much more about the ring over here!)
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| ANTONIO SCORZA/AFP/Getty Images |
When the Prince of Wales proposed to Lady Diana Spencer in 1981, he offered her a selection of engagement rings to choose from. She picked this diamond and sapphire cluster ring, set in white gold, from Garrard’s existing stock. (More on this very famous ring over here!)
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| Mario Tama/Getty Images |
Sarah Ferguson’s vibrant red hair was on the Duke of York’s mind when he selected this diamond and ruby cluster engagement ring for her in 1986. The ring, which was made by Garrard and features a bright Burmese ruby, is still in Sarah’s collection post-divorce. Sarah wasn’t the only recent Windsor bride to wear a ruby engagement ring; Princess Margaret also received a ruby ring from the Earl of Snowdon. (More about Sarah’s rubies over here!)
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| Jeff Spicer/Getty Images |
The Princess Royal has been married twice, and both of her engagement rings featured sapphires. Mark Phillips proposed with a Garrard ring featuring a central sapphire flanked by a pair of diamonds in 1973, while Sir Timothy Laurence presented her with a cabochon sapphire with a trio of small diamonds on either side (pictured above) in 1992.
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| Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images |
The Earl of Wessex went for a classic, all-diamond ring when he proposed to Sophie Rhys-Jones in 1999. The ring, made by Garrard, features a central two-carat oval diamond hugged by smaller heart-shaped stones. It’s set in 18-carat white gold.
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| JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images |
The Prince of Wales looked to the royal vault for a ring when he proposed to Camilla Parker Bowles in 2005. The Art Deco-style diamond and platinum ring, which features a large central diamond flanked on either side by three diamond baguettes, belonged to the Queen Mother. (Much more over here!)
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| Getty Images |
Autumn Kelly received another classic diamond ring from Princess Anne’s son, Peter Phillips, in 2007. The white gold ring is set with a trio of diamonds, including an oval-shaped central stone.
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| ARTHUR EDWARDS/AFP/Getty Images |
Royal watchers gave a collective gasp when Prince William proposed to Catherine Middleton in 2010 using the same diamond and sapphire cluster ring that his father, the Prince of Wales, had given to his mother, Lady Diana Spencer. William noted that using his late mother’s ring was his way of making sure she was included in his engagement and wedding. (Much more on the ring over here!)
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| Tim Ireland/AFP/Getty Images |
The most recent British royal engagement happened in December 2010, when Mike Tindall proposed to Princess Anne’s daughter, Zara Phillips. He presented her with large diamond solitaire set on a double platinum band with pave-set diamonds.
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| Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images |
Beatrice Borromeo and her husband, Pierre Casiraghi, the younger son of Princess Caroline of Monaco, walked the windy red carpet at the Venice Film Festival on Friday. Here’s a look at the statement jewels Beatrice brought along with her.
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| TIZIANA FABI/AFP/Getty Images |
The star of the accessory show here is the pair of earrings Beatrice wore. These statement earrings feature a pendant set with white and red gemstones and a large baroque pearl drop. Beatrice also added a cocktail ring on her left hand.
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| TIZIANA FABI/AFP/Getty Images |
It’s a shame that the red carpet was such a wind tunnel — Beatrice’s hair wasn’t exactly cooperating with her jewelry or the weather!