Sophie Wessex’s £115,000 Engagement Ring: A Touching Tribute To The Queen

Sophie, Countess of Wessex, owns a stunning engagement ring that she received from Prince Edward, and the classic ring has heartfelt links to the Queen.

Sophie and Edward's engagement marked the last of a generation, and the Queen and Prince Philip were delighted that their youngest child would tie the knot.

The couple sought the permission of their respective parents between Christmas and the New Year, and both families were thrilled at the news.

Prince Edward opted for a trilogy diamond ring for Sophie, complete with two romantic heart-shaped stones.

According to the jeweler, Sophie's engagement ring is worth £115,000, making it one of the cheaper engagement rings belonging to the Royal Family.

Sophie's engagement ring is a touching tribute to the Queen and Prince Philip, as it has a similar design to the Queen's engagement ring.

The Queen's engagement ring features a large central stone adorned with diamond clusters either side, and it has a particularly romantic background.

Prince Philip realized he didn't have the money to buy a fitting engagement ring for Her Majesty, so turned to his mother who donated a beautiful three-carat center diamond from her own collection.

With its similar design, Sophie's engagement ring can be seen as a touching tribute to the Queen and Prince Philip.

Prince Edward is an Earl while his two brothers and nephews are all Dukes.

Technically, Prince Edward should have a dukedom as he is the son of the monarch and he's actually the first in his position to become an Earl since the Tudor times.

The unusual title wasn't a snub from his mum at all, and it was actually his request to be titled the Earl of Wessex.

And the reason for his choice is slightly bizarre.

Prince Edward met Sophie Rees-Jones at the Queen's tennis club in London, and the pair announced their engagement six years later on January 6, 1999.

Ahead of their wedding, the palace announced that the pair would be styled as the Earl and Countess of Wessex.

The news came as a surprise to the public as it was expected he would be given a traditional dukedom.

It later came to light that the Queen had offered Edward the dukedom of Cambridge, the current title of Prince William and Kate, but he refused it for a very surprising reason.

The Earldom of Wessex had not been in use since the 11th century, however Edward reportedly asked the Queen to be named after a character called Lord Wessex in his favorite film, Shakespeare in Love.

A royal insider told the Telegraph in 2010 why Edward chose that name, explaining, he liked the sound of it and asked the Queen if he could have that instead.

When the news came of the surprising title, it was revealed that the royal family intended for Edward to be created Duke of Edinburgh upon both the death of his father and accession of elder brother, although suggestions over whether or not this will happen were recently called into question.

If the pair are given the title, Sophie would become the Duchess of Edinburgh, a courtesy title which was held by the Queen from her wedding in 1947 until her accession in 1952.

The Countess once recalled the moment she and Prince Edward were told Prince Philip would like them to take on the title in an interview with the Telegraph.

She said, “We sat there slightly stunned.

He literally came straight in and said, Right.

I'd like it very much if you would consider that.”

The title of Duke of Edinburgh was inherited by Prince Charles upon the death of Prince Philip as he is his eldest son.

Once Prince Charles is on the throne, the title will go back to the Crown, meaning he is free to hand it out again.

While it is thought that both the Queen and the late Prince Philip wished for Edward and Sophie to take on the Duke term, it will be up to Prince Charles to decide who will inherit it.

In conclusion, Sophie Wessex's engagement ring is a touching tribute to the Queen, and Prince Edward's unusual title of Earl of Wessex has a surprising backstory.

While it is uncertain whether they will be given the title of Duke of Edinburgh, it is clear that the couple has a special place in the hearts of the royal family.