Today at Hidden Gems, I shared an extensive write-up on the jewels and the drama surrounding the engagement of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde in Belgium a quarter of a century ago. As a bonus, I’ve got a roundup of royal engagement ring content from the flurry of announcements from reigning monarchs in the years that followed immediately after Philippe and Mathilde’s engagement. Enjoy!
A Royal Engagement in Belgium, Twenty-Five Years Later
[Hidden Gems exclusive]
Twenty-five years ago this autumn, Belgium’s crown prince surprised the nation and the world by announcing that he was engaged to be married. As the silver anniversary of Philippe and Mathilde’s wedding approaches in just a few weeks, we’ve got a look back today at Hidden Gems at their royal engagement—which turned out to be a chaotic turning point for the royal family.
Queen Mathilde’s Engagement Ring
To mark the 20th anniversary of Philippe and Mathilde’s engagement back in 2019, I did a deep-dive on the unique ruby engagement ring that she received from her prince, as well as the ring he added to her collection ten years later.
Royal Orange Sparkle: Queen Maxima’s Engagement Ring
Willem-Alexander and Maxima’s engagement was officially announced in The Hague on March 30, 2001. The couple appeared in a televised press conference with Queen Beatrix and Prince Claus, during which Maxima spoke in Dutch. The press conference gave the world the first glimpse of Maxima’s engagement ring, which features a rare orange diamond.
The Sunday Ring: Queen Mary’s Engagement Ring
Some royal engagement rings are classic, some are simple, and some are over the top. But there’s only one word that adequately captures the ring that Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark gave to Mary Donaldson: patriotic.
Queen Letizia’s Royal Wedding Tiara and Jewels
Felipe presented Letizia with a white gold ring set with sixteen baguette-cut diamonds. The ring was made by Suárez. Until the engagement announcement was made in November 2003, the public was kept completely in the dark about Felipe and Letizia’s romance. His sister and brother-in-law, Infanta Cristina and Iñaki Urdangarin, helped them to hide the relationship, and it was Iñaki who went to Suárez to pick up Letizia’s engagement ring.
Queen Camilla’s Royal Wedding Jewels
Buckingham Palace announced the engagement of the Prince of Wales and Camilla Parker Bowles on February 10, 2005. The couple celebrated with a party that evening at Windsor Castle. Camilla arrived for the party wearing a red evening gown, accessorized with her favorite pearl drop earrings and a three-stranded pearl necklace with a diamond and amethyst clasp. She also wore her new engagement ring on her left hand.
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