Charles and Diana (EPA)
Prince William has finally popped the question all of England has been waiting for — and he used his beloved mother’s bauble to do it.
“As you may have recognized, it’s my mother’s engagement ring,” the future king of England said after announcing his engagement to longtime gal pal Kate Middleton.
“So, of course, it’s very special to me, and Kate’s very special to me now, as well, and it’s only right the two are put together. It was my way of making sure my mother didn’t miss out on today, and the excitement and the fact that we’re going to spend the rest of our lives together.”
The 28-year-old prince proposed to Kate with the dazzling 18-carat sapphire and diamond ring while they were vacationing in Kenya last month.
William’s mother, Diana, chose the elegant cluster ring after she became engaged to Prince Charles, William’s dad, in 1981.
The ring cost about $45,000 at the time, and was from a selection presented to her by Garrard jewelers.
Experts said the same style ring today would be valued at about $150,000.
Charles and Diana divorced in 1996. She was killed the following year in a Paris car crash at age 36.
William is second in line to the British throne after his father.
Kate, 28, yesterday wore a stylish blue dress from designer Daniella Issa Helayel that perfectly matched the ring as the world-famous couple posed for pictures.
William wore a navy-blue suit.
“It’s quite a daunting prospect,” Kate said of the pending nuptials, “but hopefully, I’ll take it in my stride.”