If a classic solitaire isn’t your style, take a look at Queen Letizia of Spain’s engagement ring. When King Felipe VI—then the Prince of Asturias—announced his engagement to Spanish journalist Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano on November 1, 2003, the royal family held a press conference where the couple revealed her unique ring. Instead of a traditional center stone, the ring is a channel-set white gold band with 16 vertical baguette diamonds wrapping around the finger.

By convention, you’d expect this design for a wedding band rather than an engagement ring. But it’s a great minimal alternative for anyone who doesn’t want a large stone—whether because it would interfere with daily activities or simply doesn’t match their style. The channel setting is seamless and unobtrusive. In fact, this style is often chosen for wedding bands because the gold metal adds extra security around the stones. As more brides opt for bezel-set or domed engagement rings, the eternity band could become a popular modern alternative for engagements too.

While an eternity band isn’t the usual choice for an engagement ring, it has been chosen by other style icons. For example, John F. Kennedy, Jr. proposed to Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy with a round-cut diamond and sapphire eternity band, modeled after his mother Jackie Kennedy Onassis’s swimming ring. For someone with a minimalist style like Bessette-Kennedy, this low-profile ring offers a modern, flexible take on the traditional engagement band.

The Spanish royal’s ring is less flashy than one with a large center stone, but Queen Letizia’s diamond-covered band still comes with a hefty price tag. It’s estimated that the ring from Spanish jewelry brand Suárez cost over $30,000 at the time, likely due to the high quality of the natural diamond baguette stones.

When Felipe and Letizia married on May 22, 2004, they tied the knot in a Catholic ceremony at the Almudena Cathedral in Madrid. The bride wore a sculptural high-neck gown by designer Manuel Pertegaz, which was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the most expensive royal wedding dress in history. Another notable fact: Letizia was the first non-aristocrat in Spanish history to marry a royal and eventually become queen.

When she said “I do,” the bride added one more ring—a simple gold wedding band—to her right hand stack. (In Spain, wedding rings are traditionally worn on the right hand.) Interestingly, while both rings are quite minimal, Queen Letizia rarely wears them. She hasn’t been seen wearing them in public since 2011. “She once said that because she has to meet many dignitaries every day, the ring hurts her hand from all the handshaking,” diamond expert Maxwell Stone of Steven Stone said in an interview.

Today, the Spanish queen often wears a gold ring on her pointer finger as an everyday style instead. This design by Spanish jeweler Coreterno was a gift from King Felipe VI in 2023 and holds sentimental value for the couple. The ring is inscribed with a romantic line from Dante’s Divine Comedy: “amor che nullo amato amar perdona,” which translates to “love, which absolves no loved one from loving in return.” Queen Letizia also regularly wears an oval Karen Hallam ring next to it on her middle finger. It’s so closely associated with her wardrobe that it’s nicknamed “anillo la reina” or “the queen ring.” So, while her engagement ring may be stored away for safekeeping, this royal definitely still has a flair for chic.bands. Photo: Getty Images

Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs Queen Letizia of Spains Engagement Ring NonTraditional Brides

Beginner Questions

1 What does Queen Letizias engagement ring look like
Its a simple gold band set with a small diamond Unlike many royal engagement rings it doesnt feature a huge flashy center stone

2 Who designed Queen Letizias engagement ring
It was made by Suárez a wellknown Spanish jewelry house The same jeweler also created pieces for other Spanish royals

3 When did she get the ring
Prince Felipe proposed in November 2003 and the couple married in May 2004

4 Why is her ring considered nontraditional
Most royal engagement rings feature large dramatic diamonds Letizias is understated slim and subtle the opposite of the typical princess ring

5 What is a nontraditional bride
A bride who chooses to skip or rework standard wedding traditions whether thats the ring the dress the ceremony or all of the above

6 Why would a nontraditional bride care about this ring
It proves you dont need a big expensive diamond to have a meaningful engagement ring Simplicity can be just as elegant

Intermediate Questions

7 What kind of diamond is in her ring
Its a small modest diamond set in a plain gold band The exact carat weight has never been officially confirmed

8 How much did her ring cost
The exact price was never made public Given its simple design it was likely far less expensive than typical royal engagement rings

9 Is her ring a promise ring or a full engagement ring
Its her actual engagement ring the one she received when Felipe proposed

10 Why do some people say her ring looks like a wedding band
Because its so slim and simple it can easily be mistaken for a plain wedding ring Thats part of its charm for minimalists

11 What are the benefits of choosing a ring like hers
Its affordable comfortable for daily wear timeless and easy to pair with other jewelry It also doesnt draw unwanted attention

12 What are the downsides of a minimalist engagement ring
Some people may not realize its an engagement