Queen Elizabeth II’s Art Deco Engagement Ring
On the 6th of February 2022 we’ll celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, marking her incredible 70 year reign as sovereign. As we get ready for a season of festivities, we’re taking a closer look at the Queen’s platinum diamond art deco engagement ring, given to her by the late Prince Phillip. Though worn by one of the most influential people in the world, the Queen has never put her engagement ring in the spotlight so we’re finally giving this stunning ring the attention it deserves.
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Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip met all the way back in 1939 when Elizabeth was just 13, during a royal tour. King George VI and Queen Elizabeth toured the Royal Naval College in Dartmouth, in which the King requested his nephew Phillip to escort his daughters, Elizabeth and Margaret. Following the tour, Elizabeth and Phillip began exchanging letters and in 1946, Phillip asked the King for his daughter’s hand in marriage. The King granted his request, under one condition: that the formal engagement announcement be delayed until Elizabeth’s 21st birthday the following April. The formal announcement was made on 10th of July, 1947.
We estimate that the engagement ring would cost around £200,000 to create today, although the association with HRH and its historical provenance would make the ring priceless. Our Design Director, Kate Earlam-Charnley, was mentored by previous crown jeweller Martin Swift and gives us insight into the craftsmanship behind Queen’s engagement ring:
The centre diamond is a 3.0ct Old European cut which originated from a diamond tiara which belonged to Prince Philip’s mother, Princess Alice. It’s a timely design that carries all the noblesse of Queen Elizabeth. Featuring eight eagle prongs, we’ve created our own interpretation of the majestic engagement ring. Adding a subtle modern touch with a hidden halo, the design is both understated and refined. This combined with the spread of diamonds creates a lot of sparkle, fit for a Queen.
Kate Earlam-Charnley, Design Director
Following WWII, finances were tight, even for royalty. Therefore when he wanted to propose to princess Elizabeth, Philip’s mother gifted him one of her precious tiaras. Not only did Phillip design a beautiful engagement ring out of the tiara, but also a bracelet. Prince Phillip designed a custom engagement ring for his bride, including heirloom diamonds and elegant motifs that reflected Princess Elizabeth’s humble yet elegant style.
If you love the idea of designing a custom vintage inspired engagement ring, get in touch with one of our jewellery designers to begin discussing your dream ring. From Art Deco to Edwardian, we can take a style from the past and create something beautiful and original for you today.
Three vintage engagement rings inspired by Queen Elizabeth’s ring
The Queen’s engagement ring was designed with a prestigious Bond Street jeweller in 1946. Although Art Deco had risen to prominence in the decades before, we can see the geometrical motifs and traditional forms of the movement in this design. Platinum was also an extremely popular metal colour, just as it is today.
