The huge sacrifice Prince Philip's family made for Queen Elizabeth's engagement ring
Did you know Queen Elizabeth's engagement ring has a fascinating story behind it?
The ring – a three-carat, round-cut, diamond centre stone and 10 smaller ones set in platinum – was only possible thanks to a big sacrifice from Prince Philip's mother, Princess Alice of Battenberg.
When it came time to propose to his then-girlfriend Elizabeth, Philip’s family wasn’t in the most ideal of financial situations. Even though he was born a Greek prince, due to the war his mother and siblings (his father had left the family by this time) were forced to flee the country and settle in Paris, according to the Standard.
With no ring to propose to the heir of the British throne, Philip’s mother suggested he use the diamonds in the tiara she was given on her wedding day to create an engagement ring for his beloved, according to Town & Country.
On July 10, 1947, Elizabeth and Philip announced their engagement to the public.
Although the ring is fit for a queen, a jewellery expert has previously revealed on A Very Royal Wedding that its three-carat centre gem size is "relatively modest" for a princess.
Philip likely made the ring this way considering the "mood of Britain at the time," since the country had just come out of World War II, as Express noted.
These days, although Her Majesty is often seen in her signature white gloves, she has been spotted still wearing her engagement ring from time to time.
It is believed the ring is worth around US$257,000. But the touching story behind the gorgeous heirloom has a value that can never be measured.