The cost of engagement rings within the royal family

Updated

The news of Prince Harry’s long-anticipated engagement to actress Meghan Markle finally broke Monday morning via an official announcement from Kensington Palace.

And as it goes with most celebrity — albeit, royal — engagements, all eyes are on one thing: Meghan’s ring, of course!

10 commoners who married royals:

The gold-banded ring displays a cushion diamond from Botswana (a place that Harry and Meghan have visited together) and two outer diamonds from the private collection of Harry’s late mother, Princess Diana.

SEE ALSO: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's net worths, revealed

Though there are no reports on exactly how much Markle’s sparkle (see what we did there?), cost, it’s safe to say that the ring’s price won’t stem far from the rings of the royal women that have preceded her.

Reigning lady Queen Elizabeth II wears a sharp brilliant-cut diamond in an 8-claw coronet setting, surrounded by four smaller diamonds on a gold wedding band.

Much like Markle’s ring, it’s simple yet bold, estimated to be worth around $133,209 (£100,000) — A hefty price for a commoner, but somewhat within reason for one of the most powerful women in the world.

Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, however, rocks a ring with a much heftier valuation with an even heftier story.

Royal engagement rings through the years:

The ring originally belonged to Princess Diana, who was engaged to Prince Charles in 1981.

Diana picked out the ring herself — an iconic oval Sapphire centered by a border of diamonds.

At the time of their engagement, the ring cost around $40,000.

Over time, and through Diana’s tragic passing in 1997, the ring has skyrocketed in value — especially as it now sits on the ring finger of Middleton herself.

Today, nearly 37 years later, the ring is estimated to be worth around $400,000.

The ring is much more unique and intricate than Markle’s, but both rings hold sentimental value that would put the pieces of jewelry at high valuation for years to come.

Seeing as both The Queen and Kate’s rings began under $150,000 price range (and Kate’s is valued at around $400,000), Harry most likely wouldn’t have exceed the $400,000 price point by much — if at all.

Our estimate? Markle’s ring more or less sits somewhere in the $100,000 — $300,000 price range.

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