The truth behind Prince William using Diana’s engagement ring to propose to Kate – as Prince Harry says rumours he gave it to his brother are ‘absolutely rubbish’

After Princess Diana’s tragic death in 1997, it was only natural that her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, chose a personal item from her as a memory of their mother.

Harry reportedly chose Diana’s Garrard sapphire engagement ring, while William opted for her Cartier Tank Française watch.

It is believed the brothers swapped items in 2010 so William could use the ring to propose to Kate Middleton. Harry later gave the luxury timepiece to Meghan Markle.

However, in his impressive biography Spare, which was published last year, the Duke of Sussex labeled these reports as ‘absolute nonsense’.

Instead, Harry claimed that William already owned their mother’s ring when he proposed to Kate, so he was never asked to give it up.

Furthermore, Harry said he was unaware of William’s intention to marry Kate until the engagement was publicly announced.

‘Shortly after we returned to Britain the palace announced that Willy was getting married. November 2010,” the Prince wrote.

‘News to me. During all our time together in Lesotho, he had never talked about it.

‘The newspapers published flowery stories about the moment I realized that Will and Kate were a good match, the moment I appreciated the depth of their love and decided to give Willy the ring I had inherited from Mom, the legendary sapphire, a tender moment between brothers, a moment of bonding for all three of us, and absolute nonsense: none of this ever happened.

Harry subsequently denied ever asking for the jewelry after Diana’s death, writing, “I never gave Willy that ring because it wasn’t mine to give.” He already had it. He’d asked for it after Mom died, and I was more than happy to let it go.”

One of the most famous pieces of jewelry in history, the Garrard sapphire and diamond engagement ring, was purchased by Charles for Diana in 1981. It cost £28,000 and is now estimated at over £300,000.

The ring, inspired by Queen Victoria’s sapphire brooch from 1840, which she wore as ‘something blue’ on her wedding day, symbolized marriage, family and love.

When Diana and Charles were given different options, they reportedly chose this ring together because it complemented her blue eyes.

The choice of a catalog ring instead of a custom-designed piece broke with royal tradition, making it possible for others to purchase the same engagement ring.

William gifted his fiancée Kate the 12-carat oval blue Ceylon sapphire surrounded by fourteen solitaire diamonds, crafted by Garrard

After Diana’s death, it was reported that Harry requested to keep his mother’s Garrard sapphire engagement ring, while William selected her Cartier Tank Française watch.

Kate has proudly worn Princess Diana’s ring for almost 14 years

In his impressive memoir, Spare, Harry claimed that William already owned their mother’s ring when he proposed to Kate – so he was never asked to part with it.

Diana’s choice of a catalog ring instead of a custom-designed piece broke with royal tradition, making it possible for others to purchase the same engagement ring

In another twist, Diana’s former butler, Paul Burrell, told the… Mirror that he was present when the brothers chose the items to commemorate their mother.

Paul claimed: ‘Harry said to me, ‘I always remember holding mum’s hand and that ring hurt me because it was so big’.

‘And that’s why, when the boys came to Kensington Palace, I said to them: You must take something from your mother. You should take something with you to remind yourself of your time here at Kensington Palace and of your mother’s life.’

The former royal aide claimed that William asked to keep Diana’s Cartier watch, which had been a gift from her father on her 21st birthday, while Harry chose her engagement ring, which Kate has now worn for almost 14 years.

Furthermore, Paul says that William was “happy with the arrangement.”

Diana wore her beloved Cartier Tank Française on several occasions, including a visit to the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Hindu Temple in London in 1997 and an engagement at the British Lung Foundation that same year.

At the time, the yellow gold watch cost £17,800. Harry later gave it to Meghan, who has worn it countless times, often stacked with a Cartier Love bracelet.

It is a clear favorite from her inherited collection.