Sophie, Countess of Wessex news: Kate Middleton's engagement ring has royal link
admin August 31, 2020 2 min read
Sophie, Countess of Wessex engagement ring
Sophie and Prince Edward announced their engagement in January 1999, after dating for nearly six years.
The Countess first showed off her diamond ring as she posed for photos at St James's Palace.
The jewel had a two-carat oval diamond which is cushioned by two small heart-shaped gems.
Sophie is still often seen wearing her ring which is reportedly worth around £110,000.
Prince Edward picked the ring from one of the royal's favourite jewellers, Garrad.
Kate Middleton engagement ring
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge got engaged in October 2010 during a trip to Kenya.
Like Sophie's ring, the jewel was also chosen from a Garrad collection.
Speaking of Kate's ring, experts at Joshua James Jewellery said: "Kate's engagement ring is incredibly famous, known for sparking a huge increase in sales of sapphire engagement rings back in 2010.
"It features a 12-carat oval sapphire set in 18k white gold, surrounded by 14 solitaire diamonds.
"Created by Garrard & Co. (the former Crown Jeweller), it is now valued at around £300,000."
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The royal line of succession – who outranks who?
The line of succession to the British throne dictates the order in which each member of the Royal Family would ascend to the throne.
It is also seen as a ranking of importance with the head of the line, the Queen, taking the place of ruler.
Older children come before younger children. Traditionally boys came before girls, but this law was changed on 26 March 2015 before the birth of Prince William's first child.
Incredibly, Catholics are still excluded from the line of succession, as are children born outside of wedlock.
The royals, who usually stick to a strict protocol when appearing in public, often arrive at events in ascending order of importance, with the most important royal arriving last.
Prince Charles, 71, is currently second-in-line to the British throne, followed by Prince William, 38, his oldest son.
Then comes Prince William's children, George, seven, Charlotte, five, and Louis, two, and they are followed by Prince Harry, 35. Prince Harry is succeeded by his son Archie Harrison, born in May 2019.
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