When Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi popped the question in Italy back in late 2019, people expected a royal-sized rock. They got one. But honestly, the Princess Beatrice engagement ring wasn't just another massive diamond. It was a statement. It bucked the trend of colorful royal gemstones and leaned hard into a vibe that felt both incredibly old-school and weirdly modern.
Most of the Windsor women go for sapphires or rubies. Think of Kate’s iconic blue stone or Beatrice's own sister, Eugenie, who has that rare pink-orange Padparadscha sapphire. Beatrice went her own way. She chose a diamond. A big, bright, round-brilliant diamond that basically blinded everyone when the first photos dropped on Instagram.
The Shaun Leane Connection (And Why It’s Edgy)
The choice of designer was the first real "wait, what?" moment for royal watchers. Most royals head straight to Garrard or a traditional Bond Street jeweler with a centuries-old pedigree. Not Beatrice. She and Edo went to Shaun Leane.
If you know fashion, you know Leane. He’s the guy who worked with Alexander McQueen for years, creating those sharp, sculptural pieces that felt like armor. He’s known for a "knife-edge" aesthetic. To have him design a royal engagement ring was a massive pivot.
- The Fusion: It’s a mix of Art Deco and Victorian styles.
- The Metal: Solid platinum (because gold wasn't the vibe here).
- The Architecture: It has these sharp, clean lines that feel contemporary but still nod to the past.
Working together for about four months, Edoardo and Leane obsessed over the details. It wasn’t just a "pick it out of a catalog" situation. They wanted something that felt like their lives were entwining. Leane actually described the process as a "beautiful journey," which sounds a bit fancy, but the result is undeniably custom.
Breaking Down the Specs: Carats and Clarity
Let's talk numbers because that's what everyone asks about first. The center stone is a round brilliant-cut diamond. Most experts estimate it at roughly 3.5 carats. It’s not just big; it’s high-quality. Shaun Leane himself mentioned the diamond is of the highest color and clarity. We're talking D-grade, VVS-level stuff—basically as close to perfect as you can get without being a museum exhibit.
It’s not a solitaire. It’s flanked by tapered baguette diamonds. Then, to make it even more "extra," there are more round diamonds pavé-set halfway down the band. If you look closely at the side view, it has six prongs holding that center stone. These prongs are chiseled to a fine point, which is a subtle nod to Leane’s signature "talon" motif. It’s a tiny bit of "edge" hidden in a very classic silhouette.
The Secret Connection to the Queen and Meghan Markle
One of the coolest things about the Princess Beatrice engagement ring is the hidden history. People immediately noticed it looked a lot like the one Prince Philip gave to Queen Elizabeth II in 1947. The Queen’s ring also featured a round center stone with diamond side stones set in platinum. It was a deliberate homage. Beatrice was famously close to her grandmother—she even wore the Queen’s vintage Norman Hartnell dress for her wedding—so the ring's design was a deeply personal tribute.
But there’s a weirder, more modern link too.
The diamonds in Beatrice’s ring were ethically sourced from Botswana. If that sounds familiar, it’s because Prince Harry also sourced the main diamond for Meghan Markle’s ring from the same place. It’s a small detail, but it shows a shift in how the younger royals think about jewelry. They aren't just looking for the biggest rock; they care about where it came from.
How Much Does It Actually Cost?
Valuing a royal ring is kinda like guessing the price of a painting at the Louvre—the "royal tax" makes it worth way more than the materials. However, if you just look at the stones and the craftsmanship, jewelry experts have some pretty solid guesses.
Most estimates place the retail value somewhere between $100,000 and $130,000 (£80,000 to £100,000). Some higher-end valuations, considering the potential 3.5-carat weight and top-tier clarity, push it closer to $180,000.
Compared to some other royal rings, it’s actually somewhat modest. Kate Middleton’s sapphire (which belonged to Diana) is practically priceless now but would be valued at over $500,000. Meghan’s trilogy ring is usually pegged around $150,000. So, Beatrice’s ring sits comfortably in that "very expensive but not totally insane" bracket.
Why the Style Is Still Relevant Today
Honestly, the "Art Deco with a twist" look is arguably the most wearable of all the royal engagement rings. A giant sapphire or a cluster ring can feel a bit "costume" if you're just wearing jeans and a sweater. But a round-cut diamond with baguettes? That’s timeless.
We’ve seen a huge resurgence in tapered baguettes recently. Brides are moving away from the "halo" setting (where small diamonds surround the big one) because it’s starting to feel a bit dated. They want clean lines. They want platinum. They want the "Beatrice look" without even realizing it.
What to Look for if You Want This Vibe:
- Prioritize the Cut: A round brilliant diamond needs to be "Ideal" or "Excellent" cut to get that Beatrice-level sparkle.
- The Baguette Balance: The side stones shouldn't overpower the center. They are there to "step" the eye up to the main event.
- Platinum is Key: White gold eventually yellows and needs re-plating. Platinum stays white and is much heavier, giving it that "royal" weight.
The Princess Beatrice engagement ring succeeded because it didn't try too hard to be "royal." It was a guy working with a jeweler he liked to make something his girlfriend would actually want to wear every day. It just so happens she’s a Princess.
If you are looking to replicate this look, your best bet is to find a designer who specializes in "bespoke" work rather than a big-box store. Look for someone who understands the balance of a tapered shoulder. It’s a geometric puzzle that, when solved correctly, makes the center diamond look even bigger than it actually is.
Key Takeaways for Your Own Search:
🔗 Read more: Jason Kelce Tom Brady Wife Comments: The Truth About That Viral Roast Drama
- Focus on the "Four Cs": For a ring this exposed (without a halo), clarity and color matter more because there’s nowhere for flaws to hide.
- Consider Platinum: It’s more durable for a ring you plan to wear for the next 50 years.
- Ethical Sourcing: Like Beatrice and Meghan, ask for Botswana-sourced diamonds or GIA-certified stones with clear provenance.
To get the most out of a design like this, ensure your wedding band is custom-contoured. Beatrice’s wedding band was also designed by Shaun Leane to fit flush against the engagement ring, creating a seamless "stack" that doesn't gap. It's a small detail that makes a massive difference in how the set looks on your hand.