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    Kate Middleton's engagement ring was actually meant for Meghan Markle

    Wait, what?

    Jenny Proudfoot's avatar
    By Jenny Proudfoot
    Published 1 November 2021 In News

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    (Image credit: Getty Images)
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    Wait, what?

    Prince Harry and Meghan Markle tied the knot three years ago in a star-studded ceremony, getting engaged just months after making their relationship public.

    But it wasn't the speedy proposal that made the most news, but rather the engagement ring, with Prince Harry paying tribute to his mother, using diamonds from her collection as well as two from Africa to create Meghan's very own sparkler.

    It has recently emerged however that Meghan was originally supposed to have Princess Diana's ring, the iconic 12-carat Ceylon sapphire surrounded by 14 solitaire diamonds that Prince William used to proposed to Kate Middleton.

    ‘After Diana died, the boys both chose a keepsake from Kensington Palace when they moved to Charles' rooms in St James's Palace,' a source reportedly told the Daily Star.

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    'Prince William picked his mum's Cartier watch, and Harry picked her sapphire and diamond engagement ring. But they had an agreement that whoever got engaged first would have Diana's ring - and of course that was William and Kate.'

    In Amazon Prime documentary, The Diana Story, the Princess of Wales' former butler Paul Burrell opened up more about the moment, saying that Harry's 'selfless' act was something Princess Diana would have done.

    Marie Claire Newsletter

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    'Harry said to him: "Wouldn’t it be fitting if she had mummy’s ring?"', Paul said of Harry giving the ring to his brother. 'Then one day that ring will be sat on the throne of England. Harry gave up his precious treasure.'

    Paul continued: 'His one thing he kept from his mother, he gave to his brother. That’s selfless, kind and exactly who Diana was.'

    Well, that's lovely.

    Jenny Proudfoot
    Jenny Proudfoot
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    Contributing Features Editor

    Jenny Proudfoot is an award-winning journalist, specialising in lifestyle, culture, entertainment, international development and politics. After working at Marie Claire UK for seven years - rising from intern to Features Editor - she is now a freelance contributor to the News and Features section.

    In 2021, Jenny was named as a winner on the PPA's '30 under 30' list, and was also listed as a rising star in journalism.

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