Their Engagement's Ring

Prince William finally popped the question to long-time girlfriend Kate Middleton, and he sealed the deal with his late mother's engagement ring.
See a slideshow of the 18-carat, oval sapphire surrounded by diamonds that William's father, Prince Charles, presented to Princess Diana for their engagement.



The ring is certainly a sentimental choice. Prince William explained his thinking during the press conference to announce the couple's engagement: "It's very special to me. As Kate's very special to me now, it was right to put the two together."
That's what he may believe, but the sight of Diana's rock unearthed a lot of memories, and not all happy ones, for the public, spurring a furious debate on Twitter.
One loyal royalist bemoaned the act: "Oh God No! Not That Ring! It is too much of a symbol of his mother's love and pain!" Others thought the gesture was "romantic" and "nostalgic," while critics knocked it as "tasteless" and even "creepy."
The couple plans to marry in 2011.