Why Prince Harry Gave Up Princess Diana's Engagement Ring To Prince William

Let’s talk about one of the most iconic pieces of royal jewelry: Princess Diana’s engagement ring. It’s a story you’ve probably heard before—how this dazzling ring originally belonged to Prince Harry, but later became a symbol of love when Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton. Now, thanks to Princess Diana’s former butler, Paul Burrell, we’re getting an inside look at why Harry decided to part with such a special heirloom.

A Heartwarming Story from Paul Burrell

In the Amazon Prime documentary The Diana Story, Paul Burrell shares a heartwarming tale about how the princes chose their mother’s cherished belongings. When the boys were younger, they had the opportunity to select items that meant something to them. According to Paul, Prince William was the first to make his choice. “I’d like mummy’s Cartier watch, the one that Grandpa Spencer gave to her for her 21st birthday,” Paul recalls Will saying with great affection.

Harry’s Special Request

Not to be outdone, Prince Harry made his own choice. He asked for Princess Diana’s stunning oval blue Ceylon sapphire ring, adorned with 14 solitaire diamonds and set in 20-carat white gold. Paul recounts Harry’s emotional attachment to the ring, saying, “I remember when I held mummy’s hand when I was a small boy and that ring always hurt me because it was so big.” It’s moments like these that remind us just how personal and meaningful these items are to the royal family.

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Sharing Is Caring

But here’s the kicker: even though the brothers had claimed these treasures as their own, they weren’t selfish about it. When Harry, now 34, learned that William, then 36, was planning to propose to Kate, he made a selfless decision. He offered to give up the engagement ring because he believed it was the right thing to do. As Paul puts it, “Harry said to him: ‘Wouldn’t it be fitting if she had mummy’s ring? Then one day that ring will be sat on the throne of England.’” Talk about melting hearts!

William’s Tribute to His Mother

After William successfully proposed, he spoke about the significance of the ring during an interview. “It’s my mother’s engagement ring, and it’s very special to me, as Kate is very special to me now as well. It was only right the two were put together,” he explained on ITV. “It was my way of making sure mother didn’t miss out on today and the excitement.” Can you feel the love in those words?

Now, some might wonder if Harry regretted giving up the ring, especially since he eventually got engaged himself. But don’t worry—Meghan Markle’s ring is equally meaningful. Her engagement ring features a classic band with a large diamond flanked by two smaller diamonds from Princess Diana’s personal collection. The center stone comes from Botswana, a place close to Harry’s heart. It’s safe to say both rings carry deep significance and honor Diana’s legacy in their own unique ways.

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