Queen Camilla's Vintage Engagement Ring Has "Regal Presence"

Queen Camilla in a pink coat and hat; Queen Camilla holding up her hand to show her engagement ring — (Image credit: Getty Images)

Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles announced their engagement on February 10, 2005, and along with sharing their big news, the future Queen Camilla debuted a sparkling vintage ring with an incredibly sentimental history. When it came time to propose, Charles chose an engagement ring rooted in family history, presenting Camilla with a diamond Art Deco-style ring that belonged to his late grandmother, the Queen Mother.

The King's grandmother had died just three years prior to their engagement, making Camilla's ring an even more touching gesture. Nilesh Rakholia, jewelry expert and founder of Abelini, says that the design "beautifully encapsulates what makes a truly timeless piece of jewelry—a blend of rich heritage, impeccable craftsmanship, and enduring style."

The Queen Mother's ring wasn't actually a royal engagement ring, but it was one of the pieces that she passed down to her grandson when she died. It features a roughly five-carat emerald-cut center stone surrounded by three baguette-cut diamonds on each side.

Queen Camilla's hands showing her engagement ring — A close-up of Queen Camilla's engagement ring.

King Charles wearing a tux and Queen Camilla in a red dress at their engagement celebration — Charles and Camilla are pictured at a dinner celebrating their engagement on February 10, 2005.

Queen Camilla wearing a green floral dress holding her hand up — The Queen's ring originally belonged to the Queen Mother.

"What sets this ring apart isn’t just the size of the stones, but the meaning carried within them," Rakholia says, noting "its passage through generations of the Royal family gives it deep sentimental value, a quality that many collectors and connoisseurs prize above even the most flawless stones."

"Queen Camilla’s engagement ring is a standout example of how provenance and craftsmanship can drive value just as much as carat weight or clarity," he adds, estimating the ring's current value at £200,000 to £300,000, or $273,000 to $409,000 USD.

Charles and Camilla gave the public their first view of the stunning diamond ring at a special party held to celebrate their engagement on February 10, 2005. Wearing a bright red dress and a triple-strand pearl necklace, the future Queen was all smiles as she greeted guests at Windsor Castle and showed off her engagement ring to the cameras.

Queen Camilla and King Charles on their wedding day — Queen Camilla and King Charles are pictured on their 2005 wedding day.

Queen Mother wearing a turquoise dress and diamond necklace — The Queen Mother is pictured wearing Queen Camilla's engagement ring in 1985.

Rakholia says that the design of Queen Camilla's ring mirrors her personality. "Its long facets and step cuts create a ‘hall of mirrors’ effect that emphasizes clarity and purity, rather than overt sparkle, a decision that aligns perfectly with Camilla’s elegance and understated regal presence," he says.

And since Charles and Camilla's love story was 35 years in the making, the history behind her engagement ring is especially poignant.

"Ultimately, this ring is a testament to how heritage jewelry stands the test of time," Rakholia says. "In an age where bespoke commissions dominate headlines, Camilla’s engagement ring reminds us that true style is less about novelty and more about quality, story, and enduring elegance."

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Kristin Contino is Marie Claire's Senior Royal and Celebrity editor. She's been covering royalty since 2018—including major moments such as the Platinum Jubilee, Queen Elizabeth II’s death and King Charles III's coronation—and places a particular focus on the British Royal Family's style and what it means.

Prior to working at Marie Claire, she wrote about celebrity and royal fashion at Page Six Style and covered royalty from around the world as chief reporter at Royal Central. Kristin has provided expert commentary for outlets including the BBC, Sky News, US Weekly, the Today Show and many others.

Kristin is also the published author of two novels, “The Legacy of Us” and “A House Full of Windsor.” She's passionate about travel, history, horses, and learning everything she can about her favorite city in the world, London.