There are family heirlooms, and then there are royal jewels. Europe’s many monarchies are often known for passing down or repurposing their exquisite bijoux, but even crowns and scepters can’t compare to the sentimental value of an engagement ring. Many stand the test of time, spawning faux copycats and inspiring jewelry trends for years to come.
Below, WWD looks back at 100 years of royal engagement rings.
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Royal Engagement Rings Through the Years: Photos
Image Credit: Getty Images George VI and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother in 1923; the Queen Mother in 1990.
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Royal Engagement Rings Through the Years: Photos
Image Credit: Getty Images Wallis Simpson and Edward VIII in 1937; Simpson in 1936.
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Royal Engagement Rings Through the Years: Photos
Image Credit: Getty Images Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in 1947; Queen Elizabeth II in 1998.
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Royal Engagement Rings Through the Years: Photos
Image Credit: Getty Images Prince Rainier III and Grace Kelly in 1956; Kelly in 1956.
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Royal Engagement Rings Through the Years: Photos
Image Credit: Getty Images Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones in 1960; Princess Margaret’s engagement ring in 2006.
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Royal Engagement Rings Through the Years: Photos
Image Credit: Getty Images Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik in 1966; Queen Margrethe in 2006.
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Royal Engagement Rings Through the Years: Photos
Image Credit: Getty Images Princess Diana and King Charles III in 1981; Princess Diana in 1991.
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Royal Engagement Rings Through the Years: Photos
Image Credit: Getty Images Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh and Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh in 1998.
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Royal Engagement Rings Through the Years: Photos
Image Credit: Getty Images Mette-Marit, Crown Princess of Norway and Haakon, Crown Prince of Norway in 2000; Princess Mette-Marit in 2003.
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Royal Engagement Rings Through the Years: Photos
Image Credit: Getty Images Mary, Crown Princess of Denmark and Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark in 2003; Princess Mary in 2009.
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Royal Engagement Rings Through the Years: Photos
Image Credit: Getty Images Queen Letizia and King Felipe VI of Spain in 2003; Queen Letizia in 2003.
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Royal Engagement Rings Through the Years: Photos
Image Credit: Getty Images King Charles III and Queen Camilla in 2005; Queen Camilla in 2005.
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Royal Engagement Rings Through the Years: Photos
Image Credit: Getty Images King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands in 2001; Queen Maxima in 2014.
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Royal Engagement Rings Through the Years: Photos
Image Credit: Getty Images Prince Daniel, Duke of Västergötland and Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden in 2009; Princess Victoria in 2009.
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Royal Engagement Rings Through the Years: Photos
Image Credit: Getty Images Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco in 2010; Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene in 2011.
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Royal Engagement Rings Through the Years: Photos
Image Credit: Getty Kate Middleton and Prince William announced their engagement on Nov. 16, 2010.
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Royal Engagement Rings Through the Years: Photos
Image Credit: Getty Images Princess Madeleine and Christopher O’Neill in 2013; Princess Madeleine in 2013.
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Royal Engagement Rings Through the Years: Photos
Image Credit: Getty Images Princess Sofia and Prince Carl Philip in 2014; Princess Sofia in 2018.
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Royal Engagement Rings Through the Years: Photos
Image Credit: Getty Images Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2017.
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Royal Engagement Rings Through the Years: Photos
Image Credit: Getty Images Jack Brooksbank and Princess Eugenie in 2018.