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Anyone else have The Crown fever, or is it just us? Did you binge watch all 10 episodes in one day or do you have actual self control? One of the highlights slash eye-opening moments, was the portrayal of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer's engagement announcement. Royal engagement announcements, and the royal engagement photos that come with them, have been a tradition for betrothed couples in the royal family since before King George VI and Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon posed for their announcement in 1923. Queen Victoria's engagement announcement was even shared with publications in the form of a cartoon.
The photo call is an opportunity for an engaged royal couple to make their official debut in front of the world, and these days, an opportunity for future royals to showcase their royal style, and set a standard for how the couple will work with press in the future.
Here, a near century of royal engagement photos.
King George VI and Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, 1923
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Albert, Duke of York caused quite a stir by announcing his engagement to non-royal Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon in January of 1923. She famously turned down his proposal many times. Little did the couple know that Albert would eventually become King George VI after his brother's abdication from the throne.
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip, 1947
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Philip proposed to Elizabeth after a monthlong vacation at Balmoral with her family. Her father insisted that the engagement be kept under wraps until the princess turned 21. Philip then gave up his title as H.R.H. Prince Philip of Greece. The couple officially announced their engagement on July 10, 1947.
An engagement ring was crafted by Philip Antrobus, a London jeweler, out of diamonds from Philip's mother's tiara.
Princess Margaret and Antony Snowdon-Jones, 1960
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Any avid watcher of The Crown knows that Princess Margaret's relationship with Armstrong-Jones was kept under wraps for sometime. Off the heels of her long relationship with Captain Peter Townsend, Princess Margaret met Armstrong-Jones at a dinner party. Two years later the couple would announce they were engaged with Margaret showing off a ruby engagement ring designed by her fiancé.
Princess Anne and Lt. Mark Phillips, 1973
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Queen Elizabeth's only daughter announced her engagement to Olympian Lt. Mark Phillips on May 30th, 1973.
Lady Diana Spencer and Prince Charles, 1981
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Lady Diana Spencer and Prince Charles announced their engagement on February 24, 1981—with a now infamous interview following the announcement where Prince Charles responded "Whatever 'love' means," when asked if the couple was in love.
Princess Diana's sapphire blue engagement ring may be one of the most recognizable pieces of jewelry in history, but not everyone was a fan of the stunning blue bauble. As re-enacted on season four of Netflix's "The Crown," a young Diana got to choose the priceless accessory from a selection of royal jewels as well as rings from crown jeweler Garrard. Diana purchased her royal blue suit herself from Harrod's.
Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew, 1986
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Sarah Ferguson (Fergie as she became known) and Prince Andrew announced their engagement on March 19, 1986. The future Duchess sported a ruby-and-diamond engagement ring, evoking her famous red hair.
Sophie Rhys-Jones and Prince Edward, 1999
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Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys-Jones dated for five years before finally announcing their engagement in January of 1999. Edward was the last of Queen Elizabeth's children to wed.
Kate Middleton and Prince William, 2010
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The moment the world was waiting for, Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton while vacationing in Kenya in the fall of 2010, however, the Palace didn't officially announce the news until a few weeks later on November 16, 2010. Prince William used his mother's engagement ring, a priceless blue sapphire, to pop the question. Kate's Issa blue wrap dress famously sold out in minutes and set a standard for the future Duchess of Cambridge's coveted looks.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, 2017
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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry made their media premiere as an engaged couple on November 27, 2017, just over a year after they initially confirmed their relationship to the public. Ever the fashionista, Markle stunned in a white coat by Line the Label for her first official royal appearance. Harry designed Meghan's stunning three-stone ring for himself, which features a three-carat cushion cut center diamond from Botswana, a place that holds special meaning to the couple. While Princess Diana's engagement ring became off the market when Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton, Harry still followed in his older brother's sentimental footsteps by choosing jewels that once belonged to his late mother.
Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank, 2018
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Jack Brooksbank proposed to Princess Eugenie while on holiday in Nicaragua with a pink padparadscha sapphire surrounded by diamonds. "We love Jack and I am so excited to have a son, a brother, and a best friend. Eugenie is one of the finest people I know and so together it will be pure harmony," Eugenie's mom, Sarah Furgeson, wrote on Twitter of the happy news. Princess Eugenie chose a dress by Erdem and shoes by Jimmy Choo for the announcement on January 22, 2018.