When Prince William announced his engagement to longtime girlfriend Kate Middleton in 2010, the world rejoiced to see the heir to the throne so happy.
But the occasion was bittersweet as royal fans mused how William’s mother, the late Princess Diana, wasn’t there to share the excitement.
Years later in 2017 when Prince Harry popped the question to Meghan Markle, the feelings resurfaced.
But despite never meeting, both Catherine and Meghan have kept Diana’s memory alive by wearing some of her most timeless pieces of jewellery.
“I would like you to allocate all my jewellery to the share to be held by my sons, so that their wives may, in due course, have it or use it,” Diana wrote in a special “letter of wishes”.
“I leave the exact division of the jewellery to your discretion.”
Both Catherine and Meghan’s engagement rings, arguably one of the most precious items in their respective jewellery collections, feature nods to their mother-in-law.
Though it originally belonged to Harry, the brothers decided that whoever was to get engaged first could have the ring. Now, the sapphire and diamond sparkler sits proudly on Kate’s finger.
WATCH BELOW: Prince Harry and Prince William play with Princess Diana. Post continues after video…
“I thought it was quite nice because obviously she’s not going to be around to share the fun and excitement of it all,” Prince William said in his official engagement interview.
“This is my way of keeping her close to it all.”
“I hope I look after it. It’s very very special,” bride-to be-Kate added.
Though Prince Harry designed Meghan’s engagement ring himself, the piece features not only a diamond from Botswana, but also two smaller ones from Diana’s personal collection.
“Not being able to meet his mum, it’s so important to me to know she’s part of this with us,” Meghan mused in her and Harry’s engagement interview.
But it hasn’t stopped at the engagement rings! Keep scrolling to see all the times Catherine and Meghan have worn Princess Diana’s jewels.
coronation
For the coronation of King Charles III, Catherine, Princess of Wales opted to wear a stunning diamond necklace and pearl earrings which previously belonged to her late mother in law. With a stunning teardrop pearl coming from a diamond-encrusted stud, it’s no surprise that these earrings were a firm favourite of Diana’s (and now Catherine).
Pearl bracelet
This particular 1989 outfit known as the Elvis dress is an iconic ensemble, but the three-row diamond and pearl bracelet Diana accessoried it with has been handed down to the Duchess of Cambridge.
Catherine wore the sentimental piece during her royal tour of the Caribbean in March 2022, pairing it with a white lace Alexander McQueen dress very reminiscent of Diana’s white outfit.
Kate Middleton pearl bracelet
The duchess has worn the bracelet several times before, such as here on a trip to Berlin in 2017.
Princess Diana’s stunning sapphire drop earrings were one of her favourite pieces and paired perfectly with her sapphire engagement ring, both styles circled by halos of diamonds.
The Duches of Cambridge channelled her late mother-in-law at the 2022 Commonwealth Day Service by wearing the same set, which she appears to have had redesigned into a more simple drop style with a matching necklace.
Diana was seen in the sapphire earrings countless times through her years as a royal, even wearring them for a famous trip to Washington D.C. in 1985.
Now Catherine has done the same! She was reportedly given the earrings as a wedding gift from Prince William and is seen here wearing them as early as 2012.
Princess Diana’s Cartier Tank Française watch
Princess Diana’s Cartier Tank Française watch was originally claimed by Prince William after her death, but he swapped it for Diana’s engagement ring to propose to his now wife Catherine with.
Meghan September 2021
Now, Harry’s wife Meghan owns the timeless piece. The Duchess of Sussex also has her own Cartier watch that she bought during her Suits years.
Meghan interview
Whilst Meghan and Harry’s explosive Oprah interview sent shockwaves around the world, eagle-eyed fans noticed Diana’s diamond tennis bracelet on her wrist.
Tennis bracelet
The delicate diamond bracelet was seen on Diana’s wrist for numerous glitzy occasions.
Diamond earrings
When Diana married Prince Charles, her family jewellers, Collingwood Jewellers, gifted her with a suite including a set of pearl-drop earrings that Duchess Catherine regularly wears today. The Duchess of Cambridge looked particularly radiant at the 2019 BAFTA Award.
Meghan butterfly earrings
On her royal tour of Australia with Prince Harry, fans spotted Meghan wearing the delicate butterfly earrings that once belonged to her late mother-in-law.
Diana butterfly earrings
The gold and diamond butterfly earrings were worn by Diana on her own royal tour of Canada in 1984.
Meghan bracelet
The butterfly earrings weren’t the only Diana accessory Meghan sported in Sydney, she also donned a gold bracelet that the late royal once wore.
Diana gold bracelet
We thought we’d seen it somewhere!
Meghan aquamarine ring
Meghan’s engagement ring features two small diamonds from Diana’s collection but she also owns the late royal’s aquamarine ring. She was first spotted wearing it as she and Harry headed to their wedding reception.
Diana aquamarine ring
Diana wore the ring at Christie’s auction in 1997.
Meghan engagement ring
Though it was designed by Harry, the two smaller diamonds on Meghan’s engagement ring come from Diana’s collection.
Kate engaged
Young love! Prince William famously proposed to Kate Middleton with a certain family heirloom. In fact, it originally belonged to Harry!
Charles Diana engagement
Back in the eighties, William’s father Charles proposed to the then Lady Diana Spencer with the sapphire and diamond sparkler.
