Kate Middleton wasn’t supposed to have Princess Diana’s engagement ring

It is common knowledge that Kate Middleton's stunning sapphire engagement ring once belonged to Diana, Princess of Wales – however, did you know that this special piece of jewellery was inherited by Prince Harry, not Prince William?

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It is reported that once Prince William's relationship with Kate Middleton progressed, Prince Harry took the decision to give the ring to Prince William for the proposal. It is thought that he liked the idea of the engagement ring sitting on the throne one day.

WATCH: Take a look back at Prince William and Kate Middleton's incredible wedding day

It was Diana's former butler Paul Burrell who revealed this in Amazon Prime's The Diana Story documentary. He reported that when Diana had passed, the boys were given the opportunity to keep an item that belonged to her as a keepsake.

Kate Middleton wears Princess Diana's engagement ring

READ: 6 surprising ways Kate Middleton and Prince William broke wedding tradition

SEE: Amazing royal engagement rings upclose 

Paul remembered that William said: "I’d like mummy’s Cartier watch, the one that Grandpa Spencer gave to her for her 21st birthday," whereas it was Prince Harry who in fact wanted to keep the engagement ring.

Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton in 2010

Paul recollected that Prince Harry once said: "I remember when I held mummy's hand when I was a small boy and that ring always hurt me because it was so big," which is why it had sentimental meaning for him.

Princess Diana's ring is famed for its statement sapphire stone

So, as it transpires, Meghan Markle could have been the lucky lady to wear Princess Diana's iconic band – but it wasn't meant to be.

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Prince Harry sourced the diamonds for Meghan Markle's engagement ring 

Prince Harry's generosity and sentimentality has since been reflected in his choice of engagement ring for Meghan. Her special ring has multiple diamonds and each one was specially selected by the Prince; the central diamond is from Botswana, where the couple previously vacationed together, and the other two diamonds are from his late mother's personal collection.

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