Romantic Ruby Royal Engagement Rings

When Antony Armstrong-Jones proposed to Princess Margaret of the United Kingdom, he offered her a ring with a bright central ruby. During their official royal engagement announcement in February 1960, the Windsor Star reported, “Smiling Princess Margaret held her new diamond-and-ruby engagement ring so the camera would be sure to capture its gleam.” The paper added, “The princess, whose personal jewel collection contains many fine gems, seemed very proud of her engagement ring—a ruby set in gold and surrounded by small diamonds in the shape of a flower.” (See more British royal engagement rings here!)

When the Duke of York gave a ruby cluster engagement ring to Sarah Ferguson in 1986, jewelers around the world anticipated an uptick in requests for rings set with the red gemstone. Press reports from the royal engagement announcement, which took place in March 1986, described the ring as “a large oval ruby set in 10 drop diamonds on a yellow and white gold band.” The ring was made by Garrard, but Andrew reportedly chose the Burmese ruby himself, as a tribute to Sarah’s famous red hair.

King Philippe of the Belgians offered a ruby engagement ring to his bride, Mathilde d’Udekem d’Acoz, in 1999. She wore the ring faithfully for years. Philippe offered her a second sparkling ring for their 10th wedding anniversary in 2009 with a gorgeous diamond and sapphire design. Both rings were made by Wolfers.

When Crown Prince Haakon of Norway proposed to Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby in 2001, he offered her a vintage ruby and diamond ring with a romantic family connection. Mette-Marit is the third Norwegian royal bride to wear the ring. It was originally offered to Princess Märtha of Sweden by King Olaf V of Norway in 1929, and then was given by their son, King Harald V, to his bride, Queen Sonja, in 1968. Harald and Sonja passed the ring on to their son, Haakon, who bestowed it on his bride.

Denmark’s national colors are red and white, so it should come as no surprise that several Danish royal brides have worn engagement rings set with rubies. Mary Donaldson received a classic diamond and ruby engagement ring from Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark in 2003. The ring was later upgraded with the addition of two more diamonds on either side of the rubies.

Crown Prince Frederik’s brother, Prince Joachim of Denmark, offered a patriotic ring to his French fiancée, Marie Cavallier, in 2008. The gold ring features a ruby, a diamond, and a sapphire, in a pattern that resembles the famed Tricolour flag of France.