to think that William giving Kate Diana's ring is just plain odd.

[wannaBe]

When you consider what that ring represents ... an unhappy marriage to a man who never loved her but instead loved someone else and a resulting divorce.

Am not even sure that the fact she is dead cancels that out tbh.

I think it's a lovely touch, and agree with his thinking behind it.

Also, let's not think about the past, but the future - a new marriage for new times, but with a reminder of how he got here - his mum!

And to those who say it's ugly - yeah it's not exactly my cup of tea either, but I bet ring styles will change dramatically over the next couple of years now - no more solitaire diamonds set in platinum - big FO rocks here we come!

Charles was a victim of the monarchy and had to 'sew his royal' oats and then missed out the best years with the love if his life.

I thought it was touching and in memory of his mother who would have been involved if she was still alive. It never occurred to me that it represented the marriage.

I like the ring too.. if you are going to have a statement/expensive ring it should be large and uncompromising IMO!

bling!

I think knowing Diana had chosen it herself makes a difference.

I personally love my engagement ring even though the marriage went belly up.

It's so ugly! It would be a very difficult thing for Kate to refuse if she didn't like the ring or its associations.

He loved his mother and the ring belonged to her and so he feels close to her through it.

I think he and Kate are totally different as he clearly loves her, he does not have some old girlfriend hanging around and Kate has not been chosen by the establishment to be breeding stock

Maybe he checked with her first.

It is kind of ugly, but in a kitsch way that I like. And it suits her IMO (and I don't mean that in a nasty way - it kind of looks cool and retro on her and she suits the blue).

What would he have done with it if he hadn't given it to Kate? Car boot sale?

No doubt had a face like reading all the articles about 'So what happened to Diana's ring, is he really committed to Kate if he didn't give it to her?'

I think it is v canny. Hope they go for a classy full-on inherited wedding in every way, costs far less.

I would think every time William looks at it he thinks of a mothers love for her son, for fun times together and the hole left in his life when she was taken from him

Which makes it a lovely gift for kate

I think it's a neat bit of recycling, very appropriate for these austere times. Just as long as we don't see Kate walking down the aisle in Diana's wedding dress ...

I think she chose it. There must have been a load of rings she could have chosen from; the Queen Mother, must have left a whole safe full of bling. I'm sure there would have been a wide choice, but I think Kate and William decided together this would be the ring.

Ah! Camilla has the Queen Mother's engagement ring!

I don't think it's odd.

He's said it's a nice way to involve his mother as she won't be around.

Warmed the cockles of my heart when he said "the ring is very special to me, Kate is very special to me and it was about time the two were together".

I find it slightly unsettling.

Justkeep - Garrards are the jewellers to the Royal family. Or at least they were, this may have changed as a result of corporate takeovers. Last time I heard they were owned by Apreys. (Garrard's sister company was Mappin & Webb, who were the crown silversmiths.)

YABU Giving a grandmother's ring or Mothers ring is perfectly normal practice.

I LOVE it! It's big and different from the norm. Love that blue colour.

What I don't understand is it if Camilla was the love of Charle's life, why didn't he marry her instead of putting poor Diana through hell? Still they did have two lovely sond from it.

Did he meet Camilla after Diana?

sons sorry!

dont like the style but can understand why he wanted kate to have the ring

wander if she likes it,cant really refuse that one though can she

i think a better idea would of been to maybe make a necklace out of it or something

and was suprised when saw the interview natural,short nails,no nasty acrylics,or polish there,thinking of it dont think the ring would go with acrylic french manacure

beautiful glossy hair,kate not wills hes seriously thinning

YANBU. DH and I thought the same as you OP. Also that it isn't a very nice ring

posh, I saw a documentary about it

Can't remember all the details but the general jist was that he had an on/off thing with Camilla and wouldn't commit and then he was abroad for some reason and she gave up on him and married someone else, then he was pressured to marry and picked Diana as everyone thought she would be pretty passive and pliable.

Posh he dated Camilla years before Diana, but she had a past, was a catholic and considered not good breeding stock, although it is clear to see they are well suited.

Diana was a clean sheet and they thought they could mold her to their needs

I personally think it's lovely and actually if the two of them are happy with it, that's all that matters.

It's sad that less than 24 hours after the announcement all the doubters and doommongers are out to put the dampers on it all.

I'm happy for them and looking forward to the big day (and got everything crossed for an extra bank holiday).

I think it's beautiful and was a lovely gesture. It really suits her - clever choice of blue dress for the photos as well. Knows her stuff that gal.