The Real Reason Kate Middleton’s Engagement Ring Is Blue

By now, you’ve undoubtedly heard the sweet story behind the Cleve and Company sparklerPrince Harry proposed to Meghan Markle with, but he’s not the first Royal to gift his fiancée with an extra-special heirloom. While most people know that Kate Middleton’s ring, designed by House of Garrard, once belonged to Prince William’s mother, Princess Diana, few are aware that its inspiration actually goes far beyond the late monarch’s marriage to Prince Charles back in 1981.

As the House of Garrard’s creative director, Sara Prentice, told Vogue back in October, a very similar stone was actually originally commissioned from the company as a brooch by Prince Albert back in 1840 for Queen Victoria. “She found she loved it so much, she decided to wear it on her wedding day as her something blue on the front of the dress,” Prentice said.

Queen Victoria made the brooch a Crown Heirloom in her will, so while it will always belong to the reigning Monarch (Queen Elizabeth frequently wears it to public events), Prince Charles was inspired to create something similar for his bride-to-be.

As Prentice told the outlet, “It was said to have a strong influence on Prince Charles when he came to Garrard to purchase a ring for Lady Diana.”

He did, of course, wind up choosing a 12-carat blue Ceylor sapphire with 14 solitaire diamonds on an 18K white-gold band, which, as of last year, was estimated to be worth around $300,000.

The piece was later selected for the Duchess of Cambridge with a very sweet sentiment in mind. As Prince William told Tom Bradby during his first post-engagement interview with Britain’s ITV News, “It’s my mother’s engagement ring, so I thought it was quite nice because, obviously, she’s not going to be around to share any of the fun and excitement of it all. This was my way of keeping her close to it all.”

Do you have a sweet engagement story? Share with us over @BritandCo.

(Photos via Chris Jackson, Sion Touhig, David Cheskin + Tim Graham/Getty)

Surprise proposals are always magical (hi, Benny Blanco & Selena Gomez!), but we've gotten picky about which engagement rings make us swoon these days. Some of our prior favorite trends have become outdated, and it would more sad if they weren't other gorgeous options on the market. Even so, it's not easy to narrow down which ones will overpower or age your hands. Thankfully we've solved the big mystery for you so you can flaunt your fiancée title with the best accessory!

Scroll for engagement rings that aren't worth adding to your "secret" Pinterest board!

Gabriel & Co.

1. Double Halo Engagement Rings: Gabriel & Co. 14K White Gold Double Halo Ring

Once upon a time, double halo engagement rings were widely popular and a good indicator that someone was willing to make your hand look extremely good. But that's not the case anymore! As coveted as this style used to be, it now comes across as gaudy and overpowering.

If you're dropping hints to your partner, perhaps leave this "outdated" style in your drafts!

Kay Jewelers

2. Princess Cut Engagement Rings: Kay Jewelers Lab Grown Princess-Cut Solitaire Ring

We were sure princess cut engagement rings meant we were going to embody the lives of our favorite Disney princesses — mainly Cinderella. We even told ourselves we'd be 100% okay with just a single diamond in the middle of a plain band. Now we know there's other options we can choose from. From cushion to emerald cut, none of us have to relegate ourselves to a style of the past!

Brilliant Earth

3. Thick Band Engagement Rings: Brilliant Earth Alden Ring

Did you just yelp or was that us? Maybe it was a collective sound heard around the world because wearing an engagement ring with a thick band seems like something our grandmothers would love. Though we don't always question their personal style, there's something "vintage" about this trend that doesn't make us feel great. Also, this ring will likely swallow your finger if your hand is on the slender side!

Shane Co.

4. Excessively Vintage Engagement Rings: Shane Co. Natasha Lab-Grown Engagement Ring

Hear us out — vintage rings are gorgeous and have the rare ability of being unique in a sea of familiar engagement choices. But reaching for something that feels like you can buy it from somewhere like Shein for way less than the market price shouldn't make anyone feel good.

Believe us when we say this trend is "outdated!"

Vrai

5. Rose Gold Engagement Rings: Vrai Side Cluster Cathedral Oval Engagement Ring

Rose gold engagement rings were an alternative to the general metals we're used to seeing (i.e., white gold, platinum or yellow gold), but we think they're losing their touch. We've also noticed that some jewelers have their own definition of how this trend looks so it's not as easy to tell what people consider to be "rose gold."

Your best bet is to try engagement rings on in person to see what looks best on your skin so your partner's able to make a more informed decision!

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I always get excited when I think about how many celebrity couples we don't know about yet. Glen Powell & Lily James generated some buzz when they hopped into a car together ahead of the BAFTAs, and Outer Banks star Madelyn Cline & Austin Butler (yes, Elvis himself) were just spotted out and about together. Let's dive in, shall we?

Here's everything we know about those Madelyn Cline & Austin Butler dating rumors.

Madelyn Cline & Austin Butler were allegedly spotted grabbing a meal.

"Seriously just saw Madelyn Cline and Austin Butler" at a celebrity-frequented restaurant in Los Angeles, a DeuxMoi source said at the end of January. One Instagram user commented that since Madelyn and Austin's exes (Pete Davidson and Kaia Gerber) are exes, "dating in Hollywood is 3 degrees of separation."

However, according to another DeuxMoi source, fans have been paying attention to Madelyn's Instagram activity. The actress previously dated her Outer Banks costar Chase Stokes, and has allegedly been liking posts about "the one that got away," and even posted on her Instagram story that she deserves happiness.

"The timing of Chase's relationship doing so great and her having a string of failed relationships, people are just assuming she's crashing out," the second source continues. Yikes, y'all.

I think it's so fascinating how fans allegedly jump to the conclusion that Madelyn is crashing out, and assume Austin (who is also recently single) is totally fine post-breakup. Listen, a girl can go on a few dates without spiraling, dating really doesn't have to be that serious. It's supposed to be fun!

It's also totally in the realm of possibility that they were having a business meeting. For now, we don't really know. But what I do know? Madelyn Cline and Austin Butler would make a cute couple, and even if they don't end up in a relationship, a delicious dinner and maybe a smooch or two never hurt anybody ;).

Stay tuned for more news on these Madelyn Cline & Austin Butler dating rumors, and while we're on all things lovey-dovey, check out the latest news on Madelyn Cline's New Romance The Map That Leads To You.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce haven't announced an engagement yet, but Swifties are keeping an eye out for any and every Easter egg teasing the tight end has already proposed — and after the Chiefs won against the Bills, making their way to a third consecutive Super Bowl (and after Taylor and Travis said "I love you" on live TV), fans think Taylor's using one particular accessory to hide an engagement ring. And honestly? It would be totally iconic of her.

Here's why fans think Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce are engaged — and how Tay could be hiding her engagement ring.

The internet thinks Taylor Swift's gloves could be hiding an engagement ring.

Fans were already wondering about a potential engagement this summer when she told the August 3 Eras Tour crowd she was in a "fantastic mood" and visibly played with her ring finger.

But when she wore leather gloves to the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Houston Texans game on January 18, and then wore Louis Vuitton gloves to the Chiefs vs. Philadelphia Eagles game on January 26, internet sleuths immediately started talking about whether she was hiding a ring on THAT finger — especially since Caitlin Clark, who was sitting beside Taylor, wasn't wearing gloves.

"Swifties want to know are the gloves hiding a ring," one X user tweeted. "Caitlin not wearing gloves. Was Taylor colder than Caitlin?" (Although another user says "Simmer down!!" when they point out that Taylor's suite wasn't enclosed and her dad Scott Swift was actually wearing gloves).

But could they also be a 'Reputation (Taylor's Version)' Easter egg?!

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- YouTube

Whether the gloves are hiding any jewelry underneath, Swifties can't help but notice Taylor consistently wearing brands feels very 2016 — the same year her personal Reputation era started. Could this really be one giant Reputation (Taylor's Version) Easter egg?! I mean, the Year of the Snake does start tomorrow, January 29...

"the label obsession is very 2016," one user said in the comments of a @taylorswiftstyled Instagram post, while another said, "Must be a brand partnership because she doesn’t wear a lot of logos I feel."

"I love this picture of her so much 🥹 she looks so happy and proud to be there," a third user said of Taylor's smile. "I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for her and Travis."

No matter what hints Taylor might be giving us, one thing's for sure: she'll let us know about any potential engagement, or rerecordings, when she's ready for it ;).

What do you think about Taylor's recent accessories? Do you think she's engaged to Travis Kelce already? Check out why Taylor Swift Brings Out The "Best Version" Of Travis Kelce: "Couldn't Be Happier". I'm swooning!

Not only is Blake Lively speaking out about the "sexist" commentary on her legal battle with Justin Baldoni, she's also enlisting the help of...the CIA? Yes, you read that right. The actress just recruited an ex-CIA advisor to help with her case ahead of the March 2026 trial. Wow.

Here's what we know about Blake Lively's latest move in her legal battle with Justin Baldoni.

Blake Lively just involved an ex-CIA advisor in her case.

Blake Lively has enlisted Nick Shapiro, former CIA deputy chief of staff and senior advisor John Brennan (the former director), to help with her case, according to Page Six and Variety.

“The litigation team for Ms. Lively retained Mr. Shapiro to advise on the legal communications strategy for the ongoing sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit occurring in the Southern District of New York,” Blake Lively's lawyers said in a statement.

This proves more than anything else that Blake is taking the trial really seriously because this is a major move on her part.

Recently, Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni actually agreed on something when they spoke out against the "violent" messages Blake and her loved ones have been receiving.

Blake's legal team requested a stronger protection order (PO), considering Blake, "her family, other members of the cast, various fact witnesses, and individuals that have spoken out publicly in support of Ms. Lively have received violent, profane, sexist, and threatening communications" (as the request states), "good cause exists for the Court to adopt the Proposed PO."

And Justin's legal team went on the record, saying they "do not condone dangerous rhetoric targeted toward anyone no matter the situation. Anyone receiving violent messages by anonymous parties is abhorrent."

“When private parties were wrongfully accused by Lively and her paid team of wrongdoing, they received continuous death threats and visits to private homes where young children reside after their addresses were leaked on her initial complaints," they continue. "No one should have to face that, especially private parties who do not have means for security detail. We do not condone dangerous rhetoric targeted toward anyone no matter the situation.”

Stay tuned for more news on Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni's legal battle.

Look out Bridgerton fans — Simone Ashley is giving love another chance in her new rom-com movie Picture This! We'll always love her inspiring take on Kate Sharma, but it's nice to see her spreading her acting wings. Just don't expect the two worlds to collide!

Picture This has a modern feel that explores the life of a single woman who's more concerned about having a lucrative career than putting all of her eggs in one basket. It's an accurate depiction of dating in 2025 and takes outdated relationship rules to task! Let's dig into all the exciting details!

Keep scrolling to learn everything you need to know about Simone Ashley's rom-com, Picture This!

What is 'Picture This' about?

Amazon MGM Studios

Picture This is about a photographer Pia's (Simone Ashley) journey to living life on her terms, but she gets the surprise of a lifetime when she's given dating tasks. In order to truly have the life she wants, she has to go on a few dates which is the opposite of what she's trying to focus on.

Adding even more turmoil to the mix is the reappearance of an ex that sends Pia down of path of self-discovery that may or may not end with her falling in love.

Who's starring in 'Picture This'?

Amazon MGM Studios

Picture This will star:

  • Simone Ashley
  • Hero Fiennes Tiffin
  • Sindhu Vee
  • Luke Fetherson
  • Nikesh Patel
  • Adil Ray
  • Anoushka Chadha
  • Eben Figueiredo
  • Kulvinder Ghir
  • Asim Chaudhry
  • Phil Dunster
And the film will be directed by Prarthana Mohan (Christmas Canceled).

When will it premiere?

Amazon MGM Studios

Picture This is set to premiere March 6, 2025 on Amazon Prime.

What The Trailer For 'Picture This' Here!

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- YouTube

Picture This appears to be full of hilarious moments from a best friend who has witty one-liners to a family who's good intentions feel invasive. The only thing we'll have to wait to see is whether Pia and her ex will get a second chance at love or not.

Are you excited to see Picture This? Let us know on Facebook!