Regal Promises: The Most Searched Royal Engagement Rings
The engagement rings of royal family members are some of the most significant trendsetting jewels of all time. For brides who want to imitate their favourite princesses, here are the most searched royal engagement rings according to Google. With around 20,000 searches per month, the diamond engagement ring at the top of the list is jewellery royalty in its own right!
It is always intriguing to know what jewellery pieces are inspiring individuals to make their own purchases. When you’re surrounded by jewellery daily, it’s easy to forget that many women’s interactions with fine jewellery are more confined to extra special pieces, like engagement rings, wedding bands and eternity rings. As a result, the process of researching bridal jewellery and turning to Google for ideas is a vital part of the process. And where better to start than the engagement rings of royalty – the bastions of finery – who can pinpoint what one might want when money, influence and access are no longer a concern.
According to Google research by Design Bundles, the most searched royal ring with 20,000 hits per month is the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle’s trilogy diamond engagement ring, presented to her by Prince Harry. This is double the number of searches compared to the second most Googled ring – the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton’s sapphire and diamond cluster ring, which is equally famous for once belonging to her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana.
The Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle's 6 carat cushion-cut diamond engagement ring with two round brilliant-cut diamond side stones
The Duchess of Sussex’ ring is approximately six carats and features a cushion-cut central diamond from Botswana flanked by two smaller diamonds from Princess Diana’s personal collection. In contrast, the Duchess of Cambridge wears a 12-carat oval-shaped blue sapphire surrounded by diamonds, designed by Garrard, which still manages to draw 8,200 searches some 40 years after it was revealed to the world.
In third place is an interesting choice – the engagement ring of actress Grace Kelly who became Princess of Monaco in 1956. The story goes that she initially received a simple eternity band with rubies and emeralds from Prince Rainier. However, when he realised that women in Hollywood had much bigger and bolder jewels, he swiftly spoke to Cartier and ordered a 10-carat emerald-cut diamond ring instead! Again, this piece is a trilogy design, with two baguette-cut diamonds surrounding the sizeable centre stone.
Princess Eugenie wears her Padparadscha sapphire and diamond engagement ring on her wedding day
Although these are comfortably the top three, there are lots of other royal engagement rings that garner monthly searches and continue to inspire modern brides. Take, for example, Princess Margaret’s ruby and diamond trilogy ring, designed by her future husband Antony Armstrong Jones to look like a rosebud, or Queen Elizabeth II’s three carat round diamond solitaire ring presented to her by Prince Philip in 1947. This ring was actually crafted using diamonds from a tiara owned by Prince Philip’s mother.
And let’s not forget Princess Eugenie’s peachy Padparadscha sapphire cluster ring, or her sister Princess Beatrice’s 3.5 carat diamond trilogy ring, which also pull in 1,600 and 1,500 searches per month according to Google. Seventh, eighth and ninth on the list are the Queen Mother’s sapphire and diamond ring (which she swapped for a larger pearl and diamonds in later life); Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall’s five carat emerald- and baguette-cut diamond ring, and Princess Anne’s trilogy sapphire ring with diamonds.
Princess Beatrice announced her engagement wearing a 3.5 carat diamond trilogy ring
Clearly, royalty has a penchant for trilogy rings with significant sapphires added for good measure. These taste-making bridal jewels are an important gateway for many women who are exploring fine jewels for the first time. Although such large carat sizes may not be accessible to all, the aesthetic of a trilogy diamond ring is something we can all aspire to… thanks in no small part to Meghan Markle’s sparkling influence.
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Katerina Perez With more than 12 years’ experience in the jewellery sector, Katerina Perez’s expert knowledge spans everything from retail sales and management to content creation, including brand building, jewellery writing and styling. Born and raised in St Petersburg, Katerina’s favourite hobby as a child was playing with the treasures in her grandmother's jewellery box, inspiring a lifelong love of jewellery from a very early age. She spent five years in St Petersburg University of Culture and Arts studying not journalism but business studies and languages, and her writing skills have developed as her passion for her favourite subject – jewellery – has grown. This is why her writing comes straight from the heart rather than the pages of a book. Daughter of an entrepreneur mother, Katerina exchanged her retail management job for jewellery writing in 2013 and hasn’t looked back since.
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