Engagement rings are full of meaning for the British royal family, but few people know the subtext behind the all-important center stone. Every royal woman has her own taste, and it’s definitely reflected in their engagement rings. From Kate Middleton for queen elizabethand of Princess Anne for Meghan Marklehere’s what each engagement ring means.
Sapphire – Kate Middleton, Princess Anne, Princess Eugenie
Although many people think sapphires are only blue, the gemstone actually comes in a variety of colors. Kate Middleton’s sapphire engagement ring, which once belonged to Princess Diana, is the classic blue gem we’ve all come to expect, but her in-laws have strayed from the mold in recent years.
Princess Eugenie’s husband, Jack Brooksbank, stepped out of the norm a bit when he proposed with a rare orange-pink sapphire, but whatever the color, the meaning remains the same. Sapphires represent faith and hope, as well as protection and good fortune. It is said that this means that those who wear sapphire engagement rings will have a deeply spiritual connection that will help protect them and keep the marriage safe.
Princess Anne, Queen Elizabeth’s only daughter, also received a sapphire engagement ring. Her second husband, Sir Timothy Laurence, proposed an oval-cut sapphire in a cabochon setting.
Emerald – Wallis Simpson
One of the most infamous figures in royal history was the only royal woman to receive an emerald engagement ring. Wallis Simpson married King Edward VIII after he proposed in 1937. The union was quite a scandal at the time because Simpson, apart from being an American socialite, was also divorced.
In order to marry Simpson, Edward abdicated the throne. The two went on to enjoy a long marriage that did not end until 1972 when Edward died. The longevity of their marriage is no surprise since emerald engagement rings symbolize renewal and growth, as well as fidelity.
Ruby – Sarah Ferguson
Prince Andrew, Queen Elizabeth’s second eldest son, offered Sarah Ferguson a flower-shaped ruby ring surrounded by diamonds. The two married in 1986 and welcomed their two daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie. Ruby engagement rings symbolize passion, and marriages bound by these rings are meant to be full of love and excitement.
Unfortunately, that hasn’t been entirely true for Ferguson and Andrew. The two separated in 1992 and divorced in 1996, but they remain close to this day. They even share the same house, the Royal Lodge in Windsor.
Diamond – Meghan Markle, Queen Elizabeth, Princess Beatrice
Aquamarine – Meghan Markle’s second ring
After their 2018 wedding, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made their getaway after a quick costume change. Markle ditched her wedding dress and swapped it for a Stella McCartney halter neck dress. She also rocked a familiar aquamarine ring on her right hand, a ring that was once worn by Harry’s mother. The pale blue color supposedly symbolizes courage and communication, which are wonderful values to take into a marriage.
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