A History of Royal Engagement Rings and the Trends They Inspired: From Crown Jewels to Your Jewelry Box

Let’s be honest: we’ve all spent a little too much time zooming in on royal engagement ring photos, wondering if we could pull off that same level of regal glamour. (Spoiler: you totally can.) Royal engagement rings aren’t just massive rocks; they’re trendsetting icons that have dictated what’s on our ring fingers for generations. From sapphire rings that make us swoon to classic solitaires that never go out of style, the royals have been our ultimate jewelry influencers long before Instagram existed. So grab a cup of tea (pinkies up, please) as we dive into the glittering history of these famous rings and the everyday trends they inspired.

The Ring That Started It All: Queen Victoria’s Serpent

Before Meghan and Kate, there was Queen Victoria, who received a seriously symbolic engagement ring from Prince Albert in 1839. Instead of a traditional diamond, Albert commissioned a gold ring shaped like a coiled serpent with an emerald head (her birthstone). In Victorian times, snakes symbolized eternal love and wisdom—way more romantic than they sound today! This ring kicked off the entire concept of an engagement ring as a public declaration of love, moving beyond simple bands to meaningful, personalized designs. We see this legacy today in serpent jewelry and birthstone-accented pieces that tell a personal story.

The Diamond Dynasty Begins: Queen Elizabeth’s Heirloom

When Prince Philip proposed to then-Princess Elizabeth in 1947, he designed a ring using diamonds from a tiara belonging to his mother. The result? A stunning 3-carat platinum solitare diamond ring flanked by smaller pavé diamonds. This ring solidified the diamond as the undisputed champion of engagement stones and made the classic solitaire the gold standard (or should we say platinum standard?) for generations. Thanks to Liz, diamond engagement rings became the ultimate symbol of commitment, a trend that brands like Charles Krypell and Robinson’s Bridal continue to perfect today.

The Sapphire Sensation: Princess Diana’s Game-Changer

In 1981, Prince Charles presented Lady Diana Spencer with a whopper of a ring that would change engagement ring history forever: a 12-carat oval blue sapphire surrounded by 14 solitaire diamonds, set in 18-karat white gold. The hilarious part? This wasn’t a custom design—it was actually from a catalog, making it the royal version of “see it, love it, buy it.” Suddenly, every woman wanted a sapphire ring, and colored gemstones became a bold alternative to traditional diamonds. When Prince William gave this same ring to Kate Middleton in 2010, the sapphire trend exploded all over again, proving some styles are truly timeless.

The Modern Masterpiece: Meghan Markle’s Three-Stone Stunner

Prince Harry took a page from his grandmother’s book when he designed Meghan Markle’s engagement ring in 2017. The center stone is a cushion-cut diamond from Botswana (where the couple had their first vacation—aww), flanked by two smaller diamonds from Princess Diana’s personal collection. This ring sparked massive interest in three-stone rings, which symbolize a couple’s past, present, and future. It also made cushion cuts cool again and emphasized the importance of personal meaning in ring design. Today, you can find similar personalized beauty in collections from Gumuchian Bridal and Fana Bridal.

The Emerald Elegance: Princess Charlene of Monaco’s Green Beauty

When former Olympic swimmer Charlene Wittstock became engaged to Prince Albert II of Monaco in 2010, she received a spectacular pear-shaped emerald estimated at 4 carats, flanked by half-moon diamonds. This ring continued the royal tradition of colored gemstones while introducing the pear-shaped cut to a new generation. The combination of emerald green with diamond accents created a look of sophisticated luxury that inspired many to consider emerald jewelry for their own engagement pieces.

Royal Ring Trends You Can Steal (Without the Crown)

The best part about royal engagement ring trends? You don’t need a title to rock them. Here’s how to incorporate these regal styles into your own look:

The Colored Gemstone Statement: Follow Diana’s lead with a vibrant gemstone ring. Beyond sapphires, consider ruby jewelry for passion or emerald jewelry for timeless elegance.

The Meaningful Three-Stone: Like Meghan’s ring, choose three stones that represent your relationship journey. Browse our anniversary bands for beautiful multi-stone options.

The Classic Solitaire: Queen Elizabeth’s timeless choice remains perfect for those who love understated elegance. Explore Charles Krypell Bridal for stunning solitaire designs.