Prince William and Princess Catherine’s engagement was announced to the public in November 2010, with the loved-up couple officially tying the knot in April 2011. Now the proud owner of one of the most enviable engagement rings in the world, Catherine was proposed to with her late mother-in-law’s sapphire ring for a heartbreaking reason.
William proposed to Catherine while on a private trip to Kenya a few weeks earlier in October. The couple met when they were students at the University of St Andrews in the early 2000s.
Catherine later described the proposal as “very romantic”, while also admitting that the all-important question came as a “total shock”.
In their engagement interview, William was asked about the ring and replied that he wanted to propose with the ring heirloom so that his late mother could be part of the very special moment.
Standing arm-in-arm with his fiancée in St James’s Palace, William told reporters: “Well, of course, you will recognise this as my mother’s engagement ring. It’s my way of making sure my mother didn’t miss out on today.”
The couple, who have since welcomed three children, also revealed that they had discussed marriage extensively in the year leading up to their engagement.
When Kate received the ring, it was reported that it was slightly too big for her and had to be resized to fit.
Kate and William had stayed at a lodge on Lake Rutundu in Kenya when the prince got down on one knee on the veranda.
The setting at the lodge was also believed to be extremely romantic, with The Mirror reporting that Kate left a note in the guestbook that read: “Thank you for such a wonderful 24 hours.
“Sadly no fish to be found but we had fun trying. I love the warm fires and candlelights – so romantic. Hope to be back soon, Catherine Middleton.”
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.express.co.uk ’
