Blog: Is Diana’s ring the right choice?
Wednesday 17th November 2010, 11:15AM GMT.
Blog: A gift of love or a most terrible omen? asks Royal correspondent Shirley Tart.
Within 10 minutes this morning, four people asked me whether I thought William giving Diana’s engagement ring to Kate was a bit odd.
My feelings had been the exact opposite – I see it as a the most loving message from William to his bride-to-be. He wants to protect and support her, he clearly adores her and offering her Diana’s own ring because he wanted his mother ‘to be part of this special time’ was wonderful.
But some are seeing it as a bad luck symbol, given the often sad life and tragic death of William’s beloved mother.
They ask whether the distinctive sapphire and diamond ring will somehow be bad news for this young couple.
Actually, if you followed that rational, they would be peering round every corner of every royal palace, every family gathering and every momentous occasion for the rest of their lives.
The ring is a gift of love, not the carrier of bad luck.
And this couple are a very different breed than William’s parents. Their first interview was loving, caring and mature. In stark contrast to the one screened that night before Charles and Diana were married back in 1981when he was asked ‘do you love her.’ His reply? ‘Whatever love is.’
I think even then we sensed something wrong.
What happened to them was not about a piece of jewellery it was about a marriage that probably ought never to have taken place.
I really believe this one will be different and the ring will remain on Kate’s finger for life.
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A ring is exactly that. A ring. It’s what it means to the people who wear it.
My wife’s wedding ring is the ring that my Grandmother married my Grandfather with.
It was given to her with love in the same way that I gave it to my wife. With love.
Im sure most people that give a ring, give it for that reason too.
All the happiest memories I have of my dear Nan were had with that ring on her finger.
My wife and I personally find it very comforting.
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Well, you took your time Shirl but better late than never!
Personally I think he should have made a break with the past, demonstrated how he’s sharing the era of austerity with us proles and got her something nice and sparkly from Elizabeth Duke at Argos.
Still, there’s still a chance that the honeymoon will be at Butlins in Prestatyn…..
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It’s a lovely thought, I think. If I was Kate, I think I would feel a bit put out that I didn’t have a brand new sparkly with all his money. And let’s face it, the ring does look hideous!
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It’s a terrible, terrible omen and I just read it’s worth almost half a million quid, I would gladly take the risks of ownwership if they want me to.
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ownership too!
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Who cares ?????????????????
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Ghosts.
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he’s showing money’s tight so using a ring his dad brought, or that’s he’s a cheapskate
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‘(Followed that) rationale’, not ‘rational’.
There is nothing rational about any of this.
See, pedantry can be fun!
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Should given her a Quince! Much more meaningful.
#2
[Well, you took your time Shirl but better late than never!]
Do you really mean that Rob?
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“Do you really mean that Rob?”
….errrr, not really :-)
Although I often enjoy reading her stuff, she can be really (intentionally) funny, I just can’t stand her in her role as the world’s most sycophantic “Royal Correspondent”. It seems to go with the job – 5 seconds of Nicholas Wychell drooling over the “latest news from the palace” on the BBC has me looking for a brick to throw at the TV.
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I think its a really nice thing for william to do! Its something that he has obviously treasured and would not just give it to anyone. Well done William I think!
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As long as Kate’s happy with it who cares what anyone else thinks, she’s marrying him, not the British Public!
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