The Royal Wedding - O Anel de Noivado

Prince William tonight revealed how he proposed to his girlfriend Kate Middleton using the engagement ring that belonged to his mother.

The 28-year-old Prince used the dazzling oval blue 18-carat sapphire and diamond ring when he popped the question while they were on holiday in Kenya in October 2010.

In front of the world's press, he said: 'It is very special to me. It was my way to make sure my mother did not miss out on today and the excitement that we are going to spend the rest of our lives together.'

Diana, who died in 1997, chose the elegant cluster ring after becoming engaged to Charles in 1981 and William handing it on to his wife-to-be will undoubtedly have been hugely emotional.

At the time it cost £28,000 and was from a selection presented to Diana by jewellers Garrard. Because it was not made for her specially, it was open to the public to buy.

The proposal brings to an end a marathon eight-year courtship, which saw the couple first live together as students but also break-up briefly in 2007.

Kate Middleton recebeu de William um anel que pertencera à sua falecida sogra, a Princesa Diana. A peça de diamante e safira, avaliada em aproximadamente £ 20.000 (e depois do noivado em mais de £250.000) tem a intenção de "manter Diana presente em um momento tão especial". Após a morte da princesa, o anel passara a pertencer ao príncipe Harry, que o deu ao seu irmão para que o remetesse a Kate visto que, em sua opinião, "A mulher que está ao lado do Rei (título que, de acordo com a linha de sucessão britânica, será utilizado por William) deve usar a jóia que pertenceu à sua mãe".

Copias do anel foram vendidas pelo mundo todo! Sempre tem alguem ganhando em cima do que tah rolando, sempre.

Middleton usava um vestido azul assinado pela estilista brasileira Daniela Issa, cuja loja Issa London a tem como cliente frequente. A escolha de uma estilista estrangeira foi criticada pela imprensa britânica, mas Daniela continua sendo um dos nomes mais cotados para desenhar o vestido de noiva.

TIMELINE TO THE ROYAL ROMANCE

SEPTEMBER 2001: Prince William and Kate Middleton meet at St Andrews University

MARCH 2002: William pays £200 to watch Kate modelling a sheer black lace dress in a fashion show

CHRISTMAS 2003: Rumours abound that the pair have started dating

MARCH 2004: The romance is exposed after they are pictured on the ski slopes of Klosters together

JULY 2005: The pair enjoy a romantic holiday at the Lewa Downs game reserve in Kenya

JANUARY 2006: William is photographed kissing Kate in public for the first time during a skiing break in Klosters

DECEMBER 2006: Kate makes her most significant appearance to date as she turns up to watch William graduate as an Army officer at Sandhurst

APRIL 2007: William and Kate are confirmed to have split but they secretly reunite within weeks

OCTOBER 2007: The couple are pictured back together for the first time

APRIL 2008: Kate is at William's graduation ceremony from the RAF, suggesting the couple's relationship is now permanent and has the approval of senior royals

JANUARY 2010: Kate watches as William graduates on an advanced helicopter training course and receives his flying badge from the Prince of Wales

FEBRUARY 2010: William says 'You'll have to wait a while yet' when asked about the prospect of a wedding

OCTOBER 2010: The couple are pictured in public together at a friend's wedding, sending speculation of an engagement to fever pitch

NOVEMBER 16, 2010: The couple's engagement is announced by Clarence House.