A nostalgic look through the official engagement shots of British royal couples is just what the doctor ordered in these dark times for the UK! While not all are styled in the same way – some choosing a more conservative approach and others letting their personalities shine, all feature the couples dressed to the nines and flashing that all-important engagement ring! Forward march for some seriously royal eye-candy.
1. PRINCESS EUGENIE AND JACK BROOKSBANK
Princes William and Harry’s cousin, Princess Eugenie of York is the latest royal to get engaged in January 2018. She and her fiancé, Jack Brooksbank, look positively loved up in their official engagement shots lensed by Jonathan Brady.
2. PRINCE HARRY AND MEGHAN MARKLE
The most recent royal couple to get engaged (and married), Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s engagement photos are the latest in a long history of snapshots of future spouses in the British monarchy. Shot by a high-profile fashion and celebrity photographer Alexi Lubomirski, the photos are somewhat different in style to those of their predecessors, and suite the couple to a T.
3. PRINCE WILLIAM AND KATE MIDDLETON
National treasures the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge commissioned Mario Testino for their official shots after announcing their engagement in November 2010.
4. PRINCE CHARLES AND CAMILLA PARKER-BOWLES
Prince Charles’ engagement to second wife Camilla Parker-Bowles was announced in February 2005, and their pared-down engagement photos followed soon after.
5. PRINCE EDWARD AND SOPHIE RHYS-JONES
Prince Charles’ brother, the Earl of Wessex, announced his engagement to the now Countess of Wessex in January 1999, followed by a formal engagement session.
6. PRINCE ANDREW AND SARAH FERGUSON
Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson displayed her stunning ring proudly as she announced her engagement to the Duke of York, Prince Charles' other brother, in March 1986. Things were not meant to be however – the two divorced a decade later.
7. PRINCE CHARLES AND DIANA SPENCER
Prince William and Prince Harry’s royal parents’ royal engagement portrait was released in February 1981, and belies Diana’s shy nature in front of the press.
8. PRINCESS MARGARET AND ANTONY ARMSTRONG-JONES
Queen Elizabeth II’s sister, Princess Margaret (Countess of Snowdon) got engaged to photographer Armstrong-Jones in February 1960, making him an earl.
9. PRINCESS ELIZABETH AND PHILIP MOUNTBATTEN
The official engagement of Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh was announced in July 1947, followed by this happy photo of the young couple.
10. GEORGE VI, THE DUKE OF YORK, AND ELIZABETH BOWES-LYON
Queen Elizabeth II’s mother, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon got engaged to George VI, the Duke of York, in January 1923 with this shot was taken after their happy news. The pair would go on to become King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.