Why Princess Diana's engagement ring was 'controversial' to the royal family

·Lifestyle & Features Editor

August 20, 2018 at 11:53 a.m.

Princess Diana’s blue sapphire may be one of the most popular engagement ring of all time, however the royal family reportedly weren’t pleased with her now-iconic bauble.

The 12-carat sapphire ring was a controversial choice for the young royal couple. Image via Getty Images.

According to The Sun, the stunning 12-carat sapphire and white gold band featuring 14 solitaire now worn by The Duchess of Cambridge, was a “controversial” choice back in 1981.

ALSO SEE: Thomas Markle compares the royal family to Scientologists

The ring was designed by Garrard, the crown jeweller, who was inspired by a brooch created for Prince Albert ahead of his 1840 wedding to Queen Victoria. Victoria wore the diamond cluster brooch as her “something blue” on her wedding day.

Kate Middleton proudly displayed the sapphire ring in November 2010, when her engagement to Prince William was announced. Image via Getty Images.

Prior to their engagement, Prince Charles gave Diana a selection of Garrard rings to choose from, angering senior members of his family for not gifting Diana a custom design.

ALSO SEE: Prince Harry could have helped Thomas Markle, says Diana’s former bodyguard

The ring, then valued at £47,000 was left to Princes William and Harry in Diana’s will after her death in 1997, instructing that her sons decide amongst themselves how to share her collection of jewellery.

The ring is now worn by the Duchess of Cambridge. Image via Getty Images.

Now valued at £393,850, the ring has spawned countless lookalikes by royal-fans opting for something less traditional than the typical diamond engagement ring.

Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

Check out our brand new podcast, Make It Reign — our hot takes on all things royals in a non-stuffy way — on iTunes and Google Podcasts.

The Daily Beast
Missing Hawaii Woman Hannah Kobayashi Shares Heartbreaking Message With Family
Hannah Kobayashi, the missing Hawaii woman who was found last week in Mexico, has dashed her family’s hopes of a reunion. Kobayashi, 31, whose disappearance sparked a police investigation before she was found to have voluntarily left the country, told relatives she did not want to return to her home state, according to her family. Her sister, Sydni, posted a statement on her Facebook saying that she and her mother have not physically seen Hannah, but have spoken on the phone with her.
BuzzFeed
This Is One Unexpected Sign Of Colon Cancer That Doctors Urge People Not To Ignore
This symptom is often dismissed, which is why it's so important to recognize.
The Daily Beast
Mitt Romney Makes Bold Prediction for 2028 GOP Presidential Nominee
Former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has revealed who he believes is destined to lead the Republicans into the next election in 2028. In an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper on State of the Union Sunday, the Utah senator said he believes vice-president-elect JD Vance will take over the mantle from President-elect Donald Trump. “If you were to ask me who the nominee will be in 2028 I think it’d be JD, Vance,” Romney said. “He’s smart, well-spoken, part of the MAGA movement.”
Hello!
Sarah Ferguson reveals she is looking after 'sad' Prince Andrew following news
The Duke of York's 'close confidant' is said to pose a risk to the UK
Deadline
Jill Jacobson Dies: ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ & ‘Who’s the Boss?’ Actress Was 70
Jill Jacobson, the actress known for appearances in shows like Star Trek: The Next Generation and Who’s the Boss? has died. She was 70. According to friend and publicist Dan Harary, Jacobson died “after a long illness” on Sunday, Dec. 8 at Culver West Health Center in Culver City, California. “Beautiful, energetic, and positive to …
The Canadian Press
Candid photos of Syria's Assad expose a world beyond the carefully crafted and repressive rule
BEIRUT (AP) — Personal photos of ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad have surfaced from his abandoned residences, sparking ridicule among Syrians who until days ago were persecuted for criticizing his carefully crafted public image.
HuffPost
Chris Rock's Elon Musk Joke Makes 'SNL' Crowd Groan During Opening Monologue
The comedian reminded the audience that Donald Trump is "not playing" while he talked about the billionaire working with the president-elect.
HuffPost
People Have Been Left Too Stunned To Speak After Kylie Kelce Admitted That Her Husband, Jason Kelce, Doesn’t Watch Their Kids
“i would be genuinely embarrassed to admit this,” one person tweeted in response to Kylie’s comments.
Elle
Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky Announce That Their Family Has Grown Again
Within months of meeting one another, Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky were officially dating and then, very quickly, married. Here, their history.
The Daily Beast
CEOs Panicked as Trump Shrugs Off Their Dire Predictions
Not even President-elect Donald Trump’s aides have an answer for executives who have reached out with concerns about his plans to launch a multi-pronged trade war that could make life more expensive for Americans, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal. The newspaper reported that Trump’s recent, late-night social media posts advocating for tariffs—including a 100 percent levy on goods from Brics countries, notably Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa—were the result of the pr
Hello!
Princess Kate, 23, rocks low-slung belted jeans for Christmas shopping with Carole Middleton
The Princess of Wales would never wear low-slung jeans today, but 19 years ago during a Christmas shopping trip with her mum, Carole Middleton, a 23-year-old Kate hit the shops in Spice Girl-inspired jeans and a pale blue cardigan - see unearthed photos
The Daily Beast
Shock as Trump Adviser Collapses on Stage at New York Young Republican Gala
Alex Bruesewitz, the 27-year-old strategist tasked with making President-elect Donald Trump cool in the eyes of younger voters during his 2024 presidential campaign, collapsed on stage while speaking at the New York Young Republicans Club Gala, according to several videos of the event posted online. Bruesewitz, the CEO of consultancy firm X Strategies, was listed as an honored guest at the marquee conservative event on Sunday, which also featured speeches by the likes of Steve Bannon and Nigel F
Moneywise
This Florida couple bought a vacant lot for $17,500 — then discovered they’re barred by law from building on it
There's no easy solution.
Sky News
Jets scream overhead and soldiers drop down into gun turrets - outside Russia's military base in Syria
The Russians have been permanently based here since 2017, propping up the Assad regime and overseeing the war against their many opponents. For now, though, what we do know, is that Russian convoys are withdrawing from bases across Syria and are heading for the Mediterranean Coast. On a dusty road near the main Russian entrance to Hmeimim air base near Latakia, I could see a convoy of Russian military vehicles trundling their way past the Russian-named shops.
BuzzFeed
Employees Are Sharing Stories About Company Holiday Parties Gone Wrong, And These Events Are Literally The HR Nightmare Before Christmas
"It turns out that they were not only employees — but also related..."
TVLine.com
Blue Bloods Boss Explains Series Finale’s Big Death, and Why [Spoiler] Wasn’t at Final Family Dinner
The following contains spoilers from the Dec. 13 series finale of CBS’ Blue Bloods, now streaming on Paramount+. TVLine readers have thus far given the Blue Bloods series finale a very impressive average grade of “A-.” But if there is one bone that some have to pick with the ending, it has to do with …
The Canadian Press
Canada Post says workers to return Tuesday after labour board ruling
Operations at Canada Post will resume at 8 a.m. local time on Tuesday, Dec. 17, the company said, after the Canada Industrial Relations Board ordered a return to work.
BBC
Two Russian oil tankers wrecked in Black Sea
Video appears to show one of the tankers broken in half and sinking amid a heavy storm, with oil visible in the water.
Futurism
Scientists Horrified by "Mirror Life" That Could Wipe Out Biology As We Know It
A group of the world's leading biologists have called for an immediate halt on a technology you've probably never even heard of — but is so dangerous that it could devastate life itself on this planet. In a nearly three-hundred page technical report published this month, the scientists describe the horrifyingly existential risks posed by what's known as mirror life: synthetic organisms whose DNA structures are a mirror image to that of all natural organisms. Mirror lifeforms are probably a few d
The Daily Beast
Netflix ‘Exhausted’ by Meghan Markle as Her and Prince Harry’s Polo Show Bombs
Amid the apparent unfolding failure of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s five-part documentary about polo, sources have told the Daily Mail that Netflix executives are “exhausted” from working with Markle, and her future at the streaming giant now rests on her “make or break” cookery show, which still has no premiere date. The Daily Beast has reported that the Sussexes—once heralded as Netflix’s golden duo who promised “content that informs but also gives hope” through a “truthful and relatable l

Christmas gift ideas: 8 of the best things I got myself in 2024

Why Princess Diana's engagement ring was 'controversial' to the royal family

Latest Stories

Missing Hawaii Woman Hannah Kobayashi Shares Heartbreaking Message With Family

This Is One Unexpected Sign Of Colon Cancer That Doctors Urge People Not To Ignore

Mitt Romney Makes Bold Prediction for 2028 GOP Presidential Nominee

Sarah Ferguson reveals she is looking after 'sad' Prince Andrew following news

Jill Jacobson Dies: ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ & ‘Who’s the Boss?’ Actress Was 70

Candid photos of Syria's Assad expose a world beyond the carefully crafted and repressive rule

Chris Rock's Elon Musk Joke Makes 'SNL' Crowd Groan During Opening Monologue

People Have Been Left Too Stunned To Speak After Kylie Kelce Admitted That Her Husband, Jason Kelce, Doesn’t Watch Their Kids

Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky Announce That Their Family Has Grown Again

CEOs Panicked as Trump Shrugs Off Their Dire Predictions

Princess Kate, 23, rocks low-slung belted jeans for Christmas shopping with Carole Middleton

Shock as Trump Adviser Collapses on Stage at New York Young Republican Gala

This Florida couple bought a vacant lot for $17,500 — then discovered they’re barred by law from building on it

Jets scream overhead and soldiers drop down into gun turrets - outside Russia's military base in Syria

Employees Are Sharing Stories About Company Holiday Parties Gone Wrong, And These Events Are Literally The HR Nightmare Before Christmas

Blue Bloods Boss Explains Series Finale’s Big Death, and Why [Spoiler] Wasn’t at Final Family Dinner

Canada Post says workers to return Tuesday after labour board ruling

Two Russian oil tankers wrecked in Black Sea

Scientists Horrified by "Mirror Life" That Could Wipe Out Biology As We Know It

Netflix ‘Exhausted’ by Meghan Markle as Her and Prince Harry’s Polo Show Bombs