The engagement ring of Catherine, the Princess of Wales, has been named the most iconic of all time in a recent study conducted by leading UK jeweller Chisholm Hunter. The 12-carat oval sapphire ring, once belonging to Princess Diana, has captured the hearts of the British public, earning the top spot for its historical significance and enduring appeal.
The research, which examined 28 of the most famous celebrity engagement rings, assessed each based on three key factors: historical interest, current relevance, and global newsworthiness. The Princess of Wales’s ring emerged as the clear favourite, with the study noting that it has generated the highest level of historical interest in the UK. According to the findings, online searches for the ring in the UK have been consistently strong since Google’s search engine records began in 2004.
The ring, crafted by royal jeweller Garrard, features an exquisite blue sapphire surrounded by diamonds. It was famously chosen by Princess Diana herself, a break from royal tradition where engagement rings are often custom-made or selected by the proposing partner. This personal choice by Diana has only added to the ring’s allure, making it a symbol of both royal heritage and individual expression.
Despite a slight decline in search volume over the past year, with approximately 1,500 monthly searches in the UK, the ring’s historical significance remains unmatched. The study highlighted that over the past two decades, interest in the ring has been 50% higher than that of other famous engagement rings, including one presumed to have been purchased by Dodi Fayed for Princess Diana, and another belonging to British influencer Molly-Mae Hague.
In terms of global media coverage, the Princess of Wales’s ring has also been a major talking point. It has been mentioned in over 32,800 online articles worldwide, a testament to its continued relevance and fascination. However, it was Meghan Markle’s engagement ring that generated the most global buzz, with over 40,000 online articles discussing the diamond ring Prince Harry designed for her. This placed Meghan’s ring in second place in the overall ranking.
Meghan Markle’s ring, featuring a three-carat cushion-cut diamond from Botswana flanked by two smaller diamonds from Princess Diana’s collection, also scored highly for current relevance, with around 1,600 monthly searches in the UK over the past year. The combination of its design, royal connection, and modern appeal has made it one of the most talked-about engagement rings globally.
Surprisingly, the third spot on the list was claimed by Molly-Mae Hague, a British influencer and reality TV star. Her elongated oval diamond ring, which is reportedly five carats, has become a favourite among younger audiences. Despite only 260 online articles mentioning it, the ring scored top marks for current relevance, with an impressive 3,200 monthly searches in the UK. This suggests a dedicated fanbase driving significant online interest long before the official proposal.
The study’s findings underscore the enduring fascination with royal and celebrity engagement rings, which continue to captivate the public’s imagination. Other rings in the top ten included those belonging to Ariana Grande, Hailey Bieber, and Megan Fox, each celebrated for their unique designs and the stories behind them.
| # | Engagement ring | Historical interest (UK):
search volume (0-10 scale) |
Current relevance (UK): monthly search volume over the past 12 months | Global newsworthiness: online articles | Final score: 0-10 scale |
| 1 | Catherine, Princess of Wales | 10.0 | 1,500 | 32,834 | 10.0 |
| 2 | Meghan Markle | 4.4 | 1,600 | 40,081 | 8.5 |
| 3 | Molly-Mae Hague | 6.7 | 3,200 | 230 | 7.3 |
| 4 | Ariana Grande (from Dalton Gomez) | 1.7 | 1,900 | 6,389 | 4.0 |
| 5 | Dodi Fayed* | 6.7 | 500 | 1,369 | 3.7 |
| 6 | Vick Hope | 2.5 | 1,900 | 297 | 3.7 |
| 7 | Hailey Bieber | 2.5 | 900 | 6,370 | 3.0 |
| 8 | Megan Fox (from Machine Gun Kelly) | 1.9 | 800 | 7,038 | 2.7 |
| 9 | Blake Lively | 1.7 | 700 | 7,197 | 2.5 |
| 10 | Victoria Beckham | 1.9 | 600 | 5,867 | 2.3 |
Max Brown, Retail Director at Chisholm Hunter, reflected on the study’s outcomes: “Time and time again, we come to the conclusion that jewellery is, first and foremost, only as precious as the story behind it. Engagements are absolutely not about the ring – the ring is but an enduring keepsake to remind us over time of the moment two people in love decide to become partners for life. The world’s greatest diamond is worthless without the overwhelming feeling of ease in your heart that someone chooses to share their entire future together with just you by their side.”
This latest study from Chisholm Hunter reaffirms the deep connection between jewellery and personal narratives, highlighting how engagement rings, particularly those with historical significance, continue to hold a special place in the public’s consciousness.
For more information, visit www.chisholmhunter.co.uk.
