The Blush-Colored Gem That Captured a Prince's Heart: Inside Princess Eugenie's Rare Padparadscha Sapphire Engagement Ring

Princess Eugenie's engagement ring is a truly unique piece of royal jewelry. Featuring a rare padparadscha sapphire, the solitaire stone is a blend of pink and orange, and its hue changes depending on the light. Jack Brooksbank proposed with the sparkler during a trip to Nicaragua in January 2018, setting in motion a love story that would captivate royal watchers around the world.

Following Jack's proposal, the longtime couple married on Oct. 12, 2018. They went on to welcome three children: sons August and Ernest and a daughter whose name has not yet been publicly announced. The couple's growing family has only added to the warmth and affection surrounding their union, and the engagement ring remains a cherished symbol of their journey together.

Eugenie isn't the only member of the British royal family whose engagement ring features a sapphire. Kate Middleton wears the blue sapphire ring that once belonged to the late Princess Diana. Eugenie's ring also bears a striking resemblance to her mother Sarah Ferguson's Burmese ruby engagement ring, creating a beautiful connection between mother and daughter.

Here's everything to know about Princess Eugenie's engagement ring.

A Volcanic Proposal in Nicaragua

Jack got down on one knee while he and Eugenie were on vacation in Nicaragua in January 2018. The setting was nothing short of cinematic: a beautiful volcano against the backdrop of a setting sun, with birds flying overhead. Jack later recalled the moment during an interview with the BBC later that month, describing the scene with a warmth that reflected the depth of his feelings.

Princess Eugenie added that the proposal was a "complete surprise." "I was over the moon and crying," she said. "It was this perfect moment, and we couldn't be happier because we knew it was going to end up this way."

After returning to the U.K., the couple posed for official engagement portraits at Buckingham Palace, where Eugenie's stunning ring was first revealed to the world. The photographs, taken by a royal photographer, captured the couple's joy and showcased the unique gemstone that would become a subject of fascination for royal watchers.

The Rare Padparadscha Sapphire

The star of Princess Eugenie's engagement ring is a blush-colored padparadscha sapphire surrounded by diamonds. The rare gemstone is most commonly found in Sri Lanka, and it appears to shift hues depending on the light and angle. Its name comes from the Sinhalese word for "lotus blossom," a fitting tribute to its delicate pink-orange tones.

Padparadscha sapphires are among the rarest and most sought-after gemstones in the world. They are a variety of corundum, the same mineral that forms rubies and other sapphires, but their unique color, a delicate balance of pink and orange, sets them apart. The stone's ability to change appearance in different lighting conditions adds to its allure, making it a truly mesmerizing piece of jewelry.

Shortly after his proposal, Jack told the BBC that he chose the unique stone because it reminded him of his now-wife. "Why I loved it so much is because it changes color from every different angle that you look at it, which is what I think of Eugenie, that she changes color and is just so amazing," he said.

A Family Connection

When Eugenie debuted her engagement ring in January 2018, royal fans were quick to point out how similar it was to her mother's. While both jewelry pieces feature a pinkish solitaire stone surrounded by diamonds, Ferguson's is a Burmese ruby rather than a sapphire.

Eugenie's father, who was then known as Prince Andrew, proposed to Ferguson in February 1986. The pair wed in July of that same year and later divorced in 1996. In an interview with 20/20 shortly before their nuptials, Andrew explained the choice of the ruby. "We came to the mutual conclusion that red was probably the best color for Sarah," he said. "That's how we came to the choice of the ruby." He continued, "Then the extra bits around the outside, we wanted something a little more unconventional."

The resemblance between Eugenie's ring and her mother's is a touching tribute to the bond they share. It also reflects a broader royal tradition of sapphire engagement rings, which have become a hallmark of the family's jewelry collection. From Princess Diana's iconic blue sapphire to Kate Middleton's ring, which features the same stone, sapphires have a special place in royal history.

The Wedding: A Celebration of Love

Princess Eugenie and Jack tied the knot at St. George's Chapel on Oct. 12, 2018, only a few months after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle said "I do" at the same venue. King Charles and Queen Camilla also wed there on April 9, 2005. The choice of venue reflected Eugenie's deep connection to the royal family and her desire for a ceremony that was both intimate and grand.

Eugenie wore a gown designed by the British-based label Peter Pilotto for the special event. The royal paired the custom dress with the Greville Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara, which was lent to her by Queen Elizabeth, and matching diamond and emerald earrings, which were a gift from Jack. The tiara, which features a stunning emerald and diamond design, was a perfect complement to the gown and added a touch of regal elegance to the occasion.

"I've never worn a tiara before in my life," Eugenie said in the audio guide for a 2019 exhibition about the wedding organized by the Royal Collection Trust. "It was the most incredible thing to wear such a piece of history that my grandmother had lent me, very proud moment, and the beautiful earrings were a gift from my husband."

A Growing Family

Eugenie and Jack's family has grown since their wedding. They welcomed their first son, August Philip Hawke Brooksbank, in February 2021. The name August was a tribute to the month of his birth, while Philip and Hawke honored his great-grandfather Prince Philip and his ancestors. Their second son, Ernest George Ronnie Brooksbank, was born in May 2023. The name Ernest is a nod to Jack's grandfather, George reflects his great-great-great-grandfather, and Ronnie honors Jack's father.

In August 2026, the couple welcomed their third child, a daughter, born in Portugal where the family lives part-time. Her name has not yet been publicly announced, but the news was met with joy from royal fans around the world. The birth of their daughter marked a new chapter for the couple, who have embraced parenthood with the same warmth and dedication that defines their relationship.

A Symbol of Eternal Love

Princess Eugenie's engagement ring is more than just a piece of jewelry; it is a symbol of her love story with Jack Brooksbank. The rare padparadscha sapphire, with its shifting hues and delicate beauty, reflects the depth and complexity of their relationship. It also represents a connection to her mother and the broader royal tradition of sapphire engagement rings.

As Eugenie continues to build her life with Jack and their children, her ring remains a constant reminder of the moment Jack proposed in Nicaragua and the journey they have shared since then. It is a testament to the enduring power of love and the beauty of finding a partner who sees the world and you in a unique and wonderful light.

The circus of royal life is always evolving. But for Princess Eugenie, her engagement ring will always be a reminder of the moment her story with Jack truly began.