(Culture)
This Stunning Detail Makes Queen Letizia’s Engagement Ring So Unique
It comes as no surprise that royal engagement rings are amongst some of the most beautiful in the world. While the likes of Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle wear rather traditional baubles, Queen Letizia's of Spain's engagement ring is so unexpected. And according to Kathryn Money, vice president of strategy and merchandising at Brilliant Earth, the Queen might be onto something when it comes to engagement ring trends.
"Queen Letizia's non-traditional ring doesn't include a center diamond or gemstone," Money shares with The Zoe Report over email. "Instead, her sophisticated band features 16 vertically set baguette-cut diamonds in a platinum- or white-gold setting." As for the ring's value? Money estimates the Queen's ring to have cost somewhere between $20,000 and $25,000.
Unconventional, unusual rings have been rising in popularity as of late, and while colored gemstones and fancy-cut diamonds are amongst the most talked about untraditional elements, the Queen's sophisticated, uniquely designed sparkler certainly deserves mention in this category, too. And considering Letizia's style is so inherently good, it's only fitting that she opted for such a stunning ring.
Though the Hollywood set typically opts for sparkly, glitzy rings that are defined by center diamonds, Money says that the new generation of engagement ring shoppers may be equally interested in understated styles like Letizia's. "Millennial couples are increasingly comfortable breaking traditional norms and opting for distinctive designs that express their individual style, including the use of individual or stacked wedding bands without a center gemstone," she explains.
Queen Letizia and King Felipe of Spain's relationship is one that, much like the ring, is rather untraditional. Back in 2002, prior to marrying Felipe, Queen Letizia was known as Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano. She was an international journalist who, at that time, was working for Televisión Española. She had no connection to the royal family and was recently divorced — two things that broke royal traditional.
Nonetheless, the two eventually met — according to sources, Felipe had asked fellow journalist, Pedro Erquicia, to invite Letizia to a dinner — and in 2002 they began dating in secret. In 2003, Felipe asked for Letizia's hand in marriage, and the two officially tied the knot at the Catedral de Santa María la Real de la Almudena in Madrid on May 22, 2004.
For the ceremony, Queen Letizia donned a stunningly unique wedding gown designed by Spanish couturier Manuel Pertegaz. Her long-sleeve dress featured a high-neck collar, an impressive 14-foot long train, and intricate, gold embroidery along the collar, cuffs, and hem. Much like her ring, her elegant, one-of-kind gown remains a source of inspiration for the bride-to-be who wants to walk down the aisle donning something different.
If you're searching for an engagement ring that's unlike any other, look toward Queen Letizia's non-traditional sparkler for some much-needed inspiration. Ahead, shop The Zoe Report's roundup of Letizia-inspired baubles.
