Princess Margaret’s engagement ring is one of the world’s most Googled, pulling in 3,400 monthly searches. According to Design Bundles, this is well above the average searches for royal engagement rings. But the ring had a hidden meaning behind its gorgeous design.
The sumptuous ruby trilogy ring, surrounded by smaller diamonds was designed by her future husband Antony Armstrong-Jones to resemble a rosebud, after Margaret’s middle name Rose.
Antony threw all royal conventions out of the window when he proposed to the Queen’s younger sister Princess Margaret in 1960.
He chose one of the most unique shapes ever for her engagement ring.
Antony, who later became the Earl of Snowdon, was already a unique choice as a husband as he was a photographer and filmmaker, as opposed to being born from noble birth.
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After a failed engagement to Group Captain Peter Townsend, Princess Margaret accepted a rosebud ring from the handsome photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones.
The engagement ring features a ruby surrounded by diamonds made to look like a rosebud.
Rubies are popular for their beauty and durability, making them an ideal gemstone for engagement rings.
Their rich and vibrant colour is also “synonymous with royalty and passion” according to Steven Stone experts, which was perfect for Princess Margaret.
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The sentimental choice behind the choice of flower after Margaret’s name was in keeping with other royal rings with a sentimental value.
From Prince William proposing to Kate Middleton with his mother Princess Diana’s ring, to Queen Elizabeth’s dazzling diamonds that were passed down from Prince Philip’s mother, royal engagement rings often have a sentimental backstory.
However, Margaret’s ring was a break from royal tradition with usual royal engagement rings, which are usually made from diamonds or sapphires, not rubies.
In terms of its value, an expert from The Vintage Ring Company said: “Today, I’d value a ring like this one just below the £8,000 mark, but it’s tricky to be certain without an idea of the quality of that central stone and the exact size of the halo diamonds.”
Since then, all high-profile royal couples have followed suit, with the likes of Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana in 1981, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2011, and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in 2018, who all had their weddings broadcasted as momentous TV occasions.
The bride looked beautiful in a silk gown by Norman Hartnell, featuring long sleeves and a full skirt which reportedly used over 30 metres of fabric.
Margaret accessorised the gown with the Poltimore tiara and a long veil that filled the length of the cathedral aisle.
Following their wedding, Princess Margaret and her husband welcomed two children together, David Armstrong-Jones and Lady Sarah Chatto in 1961 and 1964 respectively.
However, the pair separated after 16 years of marriage and in 1978 they became the first royals to divorce since King Henry VIII in 1540.
Princess Margaret died at the age of 71 years on February 9, 2002 following ill health.
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