Crown jewels: The fabulous rings which sealed the love of Europe's royal couples

On January 6 1999, the engagement between Prince Edward, the fourth child and third son of the Queen and Prince Phillip, and former PR manager Sophie Rhys-Jones was made public.

Edward proposed to his blonde love with a delicate ring featuring a two carat oval diamond, flanked by two smaller heart-shaped gems. Set in 18 carat white gold and made by royal jeweller Asprey and Garrard, the jewel is worth an estimated £105,000