Catherine Middleton Jewellery (to April 2011)

[salma]

Its official Prince William has given his fiancee the engagement ring that his late mother wore. It is an enormous 18 carat blue sapphire surrounded by smaller diamonds

[qui mal y pense]

I think it is fitting not for its association with Diana and Charles, but rather Williams association with his mother whom he loved and his having found a woman that he loves to spend the rest of his life with.

[Dierna23]

Oh my, if it's really true, then it's sentimental, but not original.
I would have definitely preferred a new engagement ring for Catherine.

[Duchessmary]

The ring looks absolutely GORGEOUS on Kate!! Sweeeet. Tears came to my eyes.

[Tilia C.]

Wow, I am certainly surprised that she received Diana's engagement ring! To me it seems so full of memories of an unhappy, mismatched, failed marriage. But obviously William is more focused on the good memories of his loving, caring mother.
Surely this is a sign that Kate will in time wear a lot more of Diana's gorgeous jewels.

[countess felicitas]

I agree with you Tilia - I just thought it can't be true - because I would also connect the ring to what happened afterwards....obviously they are thinking different. Good for them.

[Jacknch]

Well that will teach me to speak so soon! I think the engagement ring is absolutely beautiful and the reason why William gave it to Kate is a wonderful sentiment. It just goes to show that whilst so many people outside the royal family assume Diana's engagement ring is full of negative connotations, to those that it really matters to it's a different feeling - one of love and happier times.

This now makes me wonder whether the wedding will be at St Paul's Cathedral after all!!

[dbarn67]

I just read this on AP...wow Diana's ring. Not sure how I feel about this. Could still be conjecture? What of lovely nod to his mum if its true.

[prsgoddess]

I agree. Although the ring will to many be a reminder of his mother's and father's marriage, but to William, it is a symbol of a woman he obviously greatly admired. Our best wishes that Catherine will have much better luck with the ring; and maybe this will start a trend of passing it down...

[dbarn67]

Looks great on her....it's a stunning ring.

[Warren]

The engagement ring

(worn by Diana, 1981)
-> Photo Gallery : InStyle.com What's Right Now

[Marika86]

The ring:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vnePtJdCZc...GM/s1600/3.jpg

[4Pam]

That's a beautiful ring.

[ayvee]

Another close-up of the ring: http://www.daylife.com/photo/0aQr6N1...prince+william

She also wore a sapphire cabochon necklace spaced (separated by a chain) with two or more diamonds on the side and matching sapphire cabochon earrings:

Photo from Reuters Pictures

Not sure if she has worn the necklace and earrings before.

[dbarn67]

Photos: Prince William and Kate Middleton’s engagement | Posted | National Post

[Lumutqueen]

The ring is beautiful, but should NEVER have been given to Kate. William has said it would be so his mother would be with them. But her ring is just bad luck.

[GillW]

Originally Posted by Lumutqueen

The ring is beautiful, but should NEVER have been given to Kate. William has said it would be so his mother would be with them. But her ring is just bad luck.

It was not the ring that brought bad things into that marriage, so lets put that all behind us and toast the happy couple, wishing them a very long and happy marriage together. The ring looks lovely on Kate, and I think Diana would be happy with the decision.

[prsgoddess]

A lot of emphasis is being put on the ring as being a token of bad luck. It didn't start that way, and while Charles and Diana might not have had the best of intentions when they married, for a few years at least they were happy and in love, and I think that is part of the reason for William giving the ring to Catherine (still have to get used to typing that). A marriage isn't blessed or doomed based on a piece of jewelry, but on the individuals involved.

That being said, all the best for William and Catherine.

And I love the ring and always have. I have sapphires as side stones in my engagement ring, as blue is my favorite color.

[muriel]

Originally Posted by GillW

It was not the ring that brought bad things into that marriage, so lets put that all behind us and toast the happy couple, wishing them a very long and happy marriage together. The ring looks lovely on Kate, and I think Diana would be happy with the decision.

Well said. It is time to move on, and wish the happy couple the best of luck in their lives together.

[Lumutqueen]

They can have all the luck in the world, but IMO she should NEVER have been given that ring. Everyone remembers the bad from that marriage not the little good there was.