Queen Letizia's Unconventional Engagement Ring: A 16-Diamond Eternity Band
On November 1, 2003, King Felipe VI disclosed his engagement to journalist Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano, showcasing her distinctive engagement ring—a channel-set white gold band adorned with 16 vertical baguette diamonds. This design, which echoes John F. Kennedy, Jr.'s proposal ring, was purchased from the Spanish jeweler Suárez for over $30,000. The couple tied the knot on May 22, 2004, during a Catholic ceremony at Almudena Cathedral, where Letizia donned the most expensive royal wedding dress, as noted by the Guinness Book of World Records. Notably, she was the first commoner to wed into Spanish royalty. Since 2011, Letizia has refrained from wearing her original rings due to discomfort, opting instead for a gold ring from Felipe VI and an oval Karen Hallam ring.
Key facts
- King Felipe VI announced engagement to Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano on November 1, 2003.
- Engagement ring is a channel-set white gold band with 16 vertical baguette diamonds.
- Ring estimated to cost over $30,000, from Spanish jewelry brand Suárez.
- Felipe and Letizia married on May 22, 2004, at Almudena Cathedral in Madrid.
- Letizia was the first non-aristocrat to become queen in Spanish history.
- Wedding dress by Manuel Pertegaz is in Guinness Book of World Records as most expensive royal wedding dress.
- Queen Letizia has not worn the rings in public since 2011.
- She now wears a Coreterno gold ring gifted in 2023 and a Karen Hallam oval ring nicknamed 'anillo la reina'.
Entities
Artists
- Queen Letizia of Spain
- King Felipe VI
- Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano
- John F. Kennedy, Jr.
- Caroline Bessette-Kennedy
- Jackie Kennedy Onassis
- Manuel Pertegaz
- Maxwell Stone
- Dante
Institutions
- Suárez
- Steven Stone
- Coreterno
- Karen Hallam
- Guinness Book of World Records
Locations
- Spain
- Madrid
- Almudena Cathedral