Speaking on the Channel 5’s documentary ‘Secrets of the Royals’, Ingird Seward and Lady Colin Campbell discussed how the Duke of Edinburgh destroyed his mother’s tiara in order to forge the Queen’s engagement ring from the stones within it. Ms Seward stated that Prince Philip was on a normal naval officer’s salary at the time so could not afford a lavish ring.
Ms Seward said: “The Queen’s engagement ring has a very romantic story to it.
“When as Princess Elizabeth she became engaged to Prince Philip he was just a naval officer on a naval officer’s pay.”
Lady Campell added: “He wanted to give something that was his and his alone.
“He got stones from his mother’s tiara and designed the ring and had it made.”
READ MORE: Queen heartbreak: Royal staff facing ‘pay freezes’ as crisis rocks
Ms Seward said: “It is a great romance and taking stones from your mum’s tiara solved the problem of not having any money.”
Prince Philip has been by Queen Elizabeth II’s side since their marriage in November 1947.
He worked diligently by the Queen’s side until 2017 when he retired from royal work.
Since then he has largely been out of the public eye retreating to the Queen’s Sandringham estate to enjoy his retirement.
The statement – the first public message issued since his retirement – read: “As we approach World Immunisation Week, I wanted to recognise the vital and urgent work being done by so many to tackle the pandemic.
“By those in the medical and scientific professions, at universities and research institutions, all united in working to protect us from COVID-19.
“On behalf of those of us who remain safe and at home, I also wanted to thank all key workers who ensure the infrastructure of our life continues.
“The staff and volunteers working in food production and distribution, those keeping postal and delivery services going, and those ensuring the rubbish continues to be collected.”
