The beautiful story behind the Queen’s engagement ring, and the staggering sum it’s worth

Prince Philips will: Experts discuss Queen’s ‘125 year’ request

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Prince Philip was known to be a devoted consort to the Queen throughout their long marriage. Their marriage preceded Elizabeth ascending the throne in 1952, with the couple getting engaged in 1947. Although several decades have passed since the couple got engaged, the Queen’s engagement ring from Philip is still considered one of the most iconic royal engagement rings ever.

In 1947, the engagement of then-Princess Elizabeth and Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten was announced by Buckingham Palace.

In photos released for the occasion, Elizabeth and Philip can be seen smiling as the cameras snapped what would be the start of a happy and long marriage.

Princess Elizabeth debuted her stunning diamond engagement ring that day, which Prince Philip had helped design himself.

And if Philip’s involvement with designing the ring wasn’t touching enough, the diamonds used for the piece also have a heart-warming story behind them.

The diamonds used for the ring were once part of a tiara that belonged to Philip’s mother, Princess Alice of Battenberg.

And other diamonds from the tiara were also used to create a unique bracelet for Philip’s future bride.

A renowned jeweller, Philip Antrobus of London, created the ring and the bracelet.

The engagement ring features a three-carat diamond at its centre and is surrounded by 10 smaller diamonds.

Lorna Haddon, head of diamonds and jewellery at Beaverbrooks, said the Queen’s “stunning” engagement ring is “absolutely timeless”.

She said: “Designed by Prince Philip himself, one of his mother’s tiaras was the previous home of this large central brilliant-cut diamond, with stones pave-set into a triangular section of the ring, set in platinum.”

Due to its incredible sentimental value, the Queen would likely never part with her engagement ring.

The ring will likely stay in the Royal Family for generations to come, to be kept as a treasured heirloom.

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But giving the ring an estimated value, it could fetch six figures if it was ever sold.

Ms Haddon added: “Her Majesty’s iconic ring is likely to be in the price bracket of around £200,000.”

Many royal engagement rings since have featured coloured stones like sapphires rather than diamonds.

But parallels can be drawn between the Queen’s engagement ring and the one now worn by her granddaughter, Princess Beatrice.

Ms Haddon added: “Beatrice’s fiancé Edoardo (now husband) wowed us back in 2019 with this stunning platinum diamond engagement ring, with its large central diamond framed by tapered baguette-cut diamonds.

“With similarities to Queen Elizabeth’s ring, a solitaire diamond ring is a classic choice, offering a timeless finish with plenty of dazzling sparkle.

“Beatrice’s ring is estimated to be worth between £250,000 and £300,000.”

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