Kate Middleton Altered Her Engagement Ring to “Avoid Her Worst Nightmare”
The ring was actually originally supposed to have been worn not by Prince William’s wife, but by Prince Harry’s (!).
![Kate Middleton](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VrMuEWvDHa4vL2F5JQvXD4-415-80.jpg)
For brides-to-be, everyone wants to see the ring—at least everyone in her immediate circle. But when Kate Middleton was a bride, literally everyone in the entire world wanted to see her ring—and would have even if it hadn’t once belonged to her late mother-in-law Princess Diana, one of the most famous pieces of jewelry in modern history.
The ring—a 12-carat blue sapphire engagement ring surrounded by 14 solitaire diamonds—is a piece that Kate reportedly adores and has since the moment Prince William proposed to her in Kenya in 2010. But, just before their wedding day on April 29, 2011, The Mirror reports “Kate actually had the ring altered—as she found the band was too big and ‘turning on her finger.’”
The outlet reports the ring was taken to royal jeweler G Collins and Sons, “who made the tweak so it would fit better,” the outlet writes. “However, rather than resizing the band, small platinum beads are believed to have been attached inside the bottom of the ring, to give it a better fit.”
At the time, a source told The Sun that the now Duchess of Cambridge “adores” the ring, but it was just too big for her finger.
“A bride’s worst nightmare is looking down and seeing her ring has fallen off,” the source says. “One can only imagine how this is magnified when you are marrying the future King of England.”
Another interesting tidbit about the ring? It was actually originally supposed to be worn by Meghan—though, at the time, no one had any idea who Harry would eventually marry. After her death in 1997, Diana’s engagement ring was originally Harry’s, but, since William was ready to propose to Kate long before Harry was ready to propose to Meghan (William popped the question in 2010, six years before Harry and Meghan even met), Harry “selflessly” gave up the ring so Kate could have it, according to Diana’s former butler Paul Burrell, speaking on the program The Diana Story.
“After Diana died following a car crash in Paris in 1997, Prince Charles allowed his sons to select pieces from her jewelry collection to keep,” The Mirror reports. “It’s believed the sapphire ring went to Harry, while William chose a gold Cartier watch…Shortly before William proposed to his now-wife Kate in 2010, Harry offered his brother the chance to give his bride-to-be their mother’s ring.”
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
Oh, how we long for those days of brotherly closeness again.
Rachel Burchfield is a writer, editor, and podcaster whose primary interests are fashion and beauty, society and culture, and, most especially, the British Royal Family and other royal families around the world. She serves as Marie Claire’s Senior Celebrity and Royals Editor and has also contributed to publications like Allure, Cosmopolitan, Elle, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, People, Vanity Fair, Vogue, and W, among others. Before taking on her current role with Marie Claire, Rachel served as its Weekend Editor and later Royals Editor. She is the cohost of Podcast Royal, a show that was named a top five royal podcast by The New York Times. A voracious reader and lover of books, Rachel also hosts I’d Rather Be Reading, which spotlights the best current nonfiction books hitting the market and interviews the authors of them. Rachel frequently appears as a media commentator, and she or her work has appeared on outlets like NBC’s Today Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, CNN, and more.
-
Zendaya Delivers a Podium-Worthy Pre-Olympics Gown
She's shining brighter than the City of Lights.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
'Love Island USA' Star Kenny Rodriguez Is Not "Playing Around" with His and JaNa Craig's Romance Outside of the Villa
The prince and princess of season 6 have remained the cutest couple since filming wrapped.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
So Many Celebrity Beauty Favorites Are in Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale
Shop Jennifer Lopez, Meghan Markle, and Kaia Gerber's beloved picks.
By Julia Marzovilla Published
-
Princess Charlotte, Prince George, and King Charles Have the Cutest Matching Friendship Bracelets
And fans think Charlotte was responsible.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Prince George Is Intentionally Being Raised Much Differently Than His Father Prince William Was, Even Though Both Are Heir to the Throne
“William still has painful memories of his own childhood and how he hated the persistent attention.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
In Naming Princess Charlotte, Prince William Poignantly Fulfilled a Long Ago Promise to His Late Mother, Princess Diana
Diana would be “over the moon” about it, her friend says.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Prince William and Princess Kate Attending Sporting Events with Their Kids Is a “Much Needed Distraction” from Kate’s Ongoing Cancer Battle, Royal Biographer Says
“To say sports play a huge part in the lives of the royals is a massive understatement.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
After Meeting a Teenage Prince William for the First Time, Then Camilla Parker-Bowles Quipped “I Need a Gin and Tonic,” Royal Author Writes
Still largely known as “the other woman,” Camilla was “decidedly anxious” about meeting the future king.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Prince William Was Reportedly Advised to Sign a Prenup When He Married Kate Middleton 13 Years Ago—But He Refused
Thirteen years later, the Prince and Princess of Wales’ marriage seems stronger than ever.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Prince William and Princess Kate Apparently Made a Joint Decision Regarding Prince Harry As They Are “Very Consciously Focusing on Positivity and Recovery”
Though Kate’s health is improving, in her own words, she’s “not out of the woods.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Princess Kate Is “Genuinely Touched” by Everything Prince William Has Done During Her Health Scare This Year, “Not Just for Her, But for the Children”
“Their vows have never been more profound as they navigate this difficult time.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published