Proposals often begin as a shared intimate moment for a couple – sometimes with a handful of loved ones or onlookers thrown in for good measure. But for celebrities and royals, that moment rarely stays private for long. Whether shared through social media, captured by photographers or revealed in the headlines, these engagements quickly become part of a wider cultural conversation, setting the tone for modern romance and inspiring natural diamond ring designs around the world.
How celebrity and royal proposals make diamond rings deeply symbolic
There’s a reason we still talk about a royal proposal centuries after it happens. Or why fans study the details of celebrity diamond engagement rings worn by icons like Beyoncé. These rings are more than just status symbols or declarations of love. They shape bridal trends, fuel fashion conversations and influence what couples across the world hope their own proposal might one day feel like, too.
From blissful Seychelles beaches and the French Riviera to quaint royal cottages, we’ve gathered some of the most unforgettable celebrity proposals and royal engagements that blend emotion, symbolism and some serious ‘wow’ factor…
10 unforgettable engagement proposals and the love stories behind them
Iconic royal proposals
Queen Victoria & Prince Albert: She popped the question
Yes, you read that right. In 1839, it was Queen Victoria who proposed to Prince Albert. At the time, royal protocol dictated that as the reigning monarch, she outranked everyone in the kingdom. No subject, regardless of title or birth, could presume to ask for her hand in marriage1. The proposal had to come from her. Defying the gender conventions of the era, Victoria took the lead, inviting Albert to share her life and her crown.
She described the moment in her journal, writing: “We embraced each other over and over again, and he was so kind, so affectionate… oh! to feel I was, and am, loved by such an angel as Albert, was too great delight to describe.2”
After accepting, Albert then gave Victoria a serpent-shaped gold ring adorned with rubies, emeralds and natural diamonds. Besides its obvious beauty, the design was rich in meaning - serpents symbolized eternal love during the Victorian era3. This royal proposal became one of history’s most emotionally meaningful, helping establish a diamond wedding ring tradition that merged sentiment with symbolism in a way the public hadn’t seen before.
Prince William & Kate Middleton: Kenya’s quiet magic
On a private trip to Kenya in 2010, William (now the Prince of Wales) proposed in a rustic log cabin near Mount Kenya4. But the ring, once worn by William’s late mother, Princess Diana, quickly became the most iconic royal proposal ring of the modern era. The 12-carat Ceylon sapphire surrounded by natural diamonds wasn’t just an heirloom, it was a tribute to his mother, who had been given the ring by William’s father, Charles in 19815. “It was my way of keeping her close,” William later shared of the special moment.
Prince Harry & Meghan Markle: Roast chicken, candles and a big surprise
When Harry proposed to then-actress Meghan in 2017, they first described it as a “cozy night” at home. But in their Netflix docuseries ‘Harry & Meghan’, they revealed it actually happened outside in the north garden of their then-home, Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace6.
While an unsuspecting Meghan roasted a chicken, Harry set the scene with 15 electric candles, white roses, and a bottle of champagne. “Of course I got down on one knee,” he said. Meghan recalled being overwhelmed with joy: “I was just like, ‘Yes!’”
The natural diamond engagement ring Harry designed featured a center stone from Botswana, flanked by two smaller diamonds from Princess Diana’s own collection7. Sentimental and meaningful, it was a royal proposal that redefined tradition with real intimacy and intention.
Princess Eugenie & Jack Brooksbank: A Nicaraguan sunset
On vacation in Nicaragua, businessman Jack proposed to his long-term girlfriend Princess Eugenie beside a picturesque lake at sunset, prompting floods of unexpected tears from his partner who hadn’t suspected a thing.
He didn’t bring a finished ring, just a rare padparadscha sapphire (known for their unique hue – typically a blend of pink and orange) and a vision8. They designed the setting together, surrounding it with a halo of natural diamonds, similar to her mother’s own engagement ring. The result? Both fittingly regal and very romantic.
Exotic destination celebrity proposals
Jay-Z & Beyoncé: French Riviera glam
Music mogul Jay-Z proposed to his superstar love Beyoncé on his birthday in December 2007, during a private getaway to the French Riviera9. He presented her with an incredible 24-carat emerald-cut natural diamond engagement ring, set on a platinum split shank - designed by none other than celebrity jeweler, Lorraine Schwartz.
Estimated at around $5 million, the ring is considered one of the most expensive celebrity diamond engagement rings of all time10. Its bold cut and clean geometry helped popularize emerald-cut rings across the industry, reinforcing the shape’s association with diamond status and modern luxury.
After the proposal, the couple celebrated at Crazy Horse, a Parisian cabaret. Beyoncé later revealed that that night inspired the concept for her sultry ‘Partition’ music video.
Russell Wilson & Ciara: Seychelles surprise
After Paris Fashion Week in 2016, football quarterback Russell swept singer-songwriter Ciara away on a secret trip. She didn’t even know where they were going until they landed in the Seychelles, where he then proposed on a private beach11.
Ciara’s natural diamond engagement ring features a flawless 16-carat round brilliant-cut center stone, flanked by four side stones: trapezoid-shaped diamonds on either side and pear-shaped diamonds at each outer edge12. The surprise, the setting and the thoughtfulness made this a proposal built for storybooks.
John Legend & Chrissy Teigen: A quiet Maldives moment
Singer John Legend was similarly romantic when he planned a trip for his then-girlfriend, model and TV personality Chrissy Teigen, in the Maldives in 2011. The Christmas-themed proposal saw Legend hide the ring (a stunning cushion-cut center stone of five to six carats, set on a pavé band) in a plate of arugula at dinner, for Chrissy to find - a refreshingly low-key move from the global superstar.
“I see the little box and then you know, your heart stops, and you get so excited,” she remembered of the moment. “There was no big grand speech or anything. I think it was just very lovely and sweet.”
John later revealed just how close the moment came to never happening, with airport security asking to inspect the bag containing the ring while he stood next to his almost-wife-to-be13. Thankfully, he kept things on track…
Intimate affairs
George & Amal Clooney: At home with love and jazz
In 2014, Hollywood star George planned a romantic night in to propose to international human rights lawyer Amal, with the help of a playlist of love songs by his aunt, the singer Rosemary Clooney, setting the mood.
He'd hidden the ring, a seven-carat emerald-cut natural diamond, in a drawer she’d open to find a lighter to light a candle14. But when the moment came, Amal was so stunned she thought it was a prank. George, still down on one knee after some time, even joked, “I’m gonna throw my hip out!” Eventually, she said yes, turning the evening into a memory they’d cherish for years to come.
Matthew McConaughey & Camila Alves: A Christmas treasure hunt
On Christmas Day 2011, actor Matthew gave fashion designer Camila, a gift wrapped in seven layers. Each box revealed another, until she reached the final one – hiding a rose-cut natural diamond engagement ring15. “It was the last gift to be opened,” Matthew said of the moment later. “She got the ring. I took a knee and asked her to marry me and take my name. After a bit, she conceded… thankfully.”
Better still, the entire thing happened in front of McConaughey’s entire family. “She didn't say yes right away. And then the whole family was going, ‘Jeezus, she's gonna say no’," he later laughed.
David & Victoria Beckham: Countryside glamour
In 1998, football legend David proposed to Spice Girl singer-turned-fashion designer Victoria in an elegant British countryside hotel and spa16. The setting was intimate and personal for the pair, but the ring - a yellow gold marquise-cut three-carat natural diamond - was pure star power. Estimated at $85,000 and designed by British jeweler Boodles17, the ring sparked a global fascination with celebrity diamond rings and launched Victoria’s now-famous collection of around 15 engagement rings from David18.
When the couple tied the knot in 1999, their son Brooklyn – who was just a few months old at the time – served as their ring-bearer – adorable.
What makes natural diamonds irreplaceable in modern love stories
When George Clooney chose the emerald-cut diamond for Amal, or Princess Eugenie helped design her diamond ring alongside her partner, the decision wasn’t solely about the setting or the size. It was about choosing something meaningful to mark a milestone moment in their relationship and continue to help tell their story in years to come, too.
It's why natural diamonds constantly prove themselves to be the perfect choice for such an important occasion - because of their beauty, yes, but their rarity too. When you think about it, each one is millions or billions of years old, making it completely unique. Which is exactly what makes them the perfect choice to reflect family traditions in the shape of treasured heirlooms, or celebrate the start of a new one with a sparkling engagement ring.
Today, natural diamond rings hold real, enduring sentimental value in what they represent: love, commitment and the moments that truly matter – and here’s to much more of that.
