Pippa Middleton’s wedding is fast approaching, which has a lot of people wondering:
What does her ring look like? You can see a photo of it above and below. The art deco-style ring has sparked a frenzy of women seeking similar gems. Her “no ring, no bring” wedding policy has sparked a series of headlines.
On May 20, the Duchess of Cambridge’s sister is marrying hedge fund manager James Matthews, whose net worth is certainly high enough to afford the dazzling diamond – and then some.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Pippa’s Engagement Ring Is Worth More Than $260,000
Pippa’s engagement ring was described as an “octagonal halo of diamonds” and a center stone that likely put its price tag at more than $260,000, according to People Magazine.
People Magazine reports the ring is an “Asscher-cut diamond.” People quoted one jeweler as explaining: “Asscher-cut diamonds are step cut, which means there are fewer facets than other fancy shapes, such as a princess cut for instance.”
The ring was also described as having a “classic design” and a “distinct art deco feel,” according to People.
Kate Middleton’s ring, of course, was the sapphire stone once worn by Princess Diana.
2. There Was a Surge of Interest in Art Deco Rings After Pippa’s Engagement
Love Pippa Middleton’s art deco style engagement ring?
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Jewelers are calling it the “Pippa Middleton Effect.” They say that there was a surge of interest in Pippa-style engagement rings after James Matthews proposed and photos of Pippa’s ring circulated on the Internet.
“The most-requested engagement ring style is an Asscher cut stone in the style that Pippa Middleton’s fiancee, James Matthews, gave to her when he proposed in July,” reported UK Telegraph.
Pippa Middleton, sister of Catherine the Duchess of Cambridge. (Getty)
The British news site reported that the interest in Art Deco rings hadn’t been seen since the Great Gatsby. “We always notice an influx of enquiries and sales about certain styles and settings when a celebrity gets engaged, but when Pippa did it was so much more noticeable,” jeweler David Allen told the UK Telegraph. “There hadn’t been an Art Deco resurgence like this for a while – not since the Great Gatsby film came out [in 2013], and there was all this 1920s costume jewellery on the high street.”
Allen told the news site that the Pippa Effect was immediate.
3. Pippa’s Fiancee Is a Wealthy Hedge Fund Manager Who Can Afford the Hefty Pricetag
Pippa’s fiancee, James Matthews, can certainly afford the ring. That’s because he’s a wealthy hedge fund manager who’s from a wealthy family.
According to AOL.com, Matthews, a hedge fund manager, “is the CEO of Eden Rock Capital Management Group. He is also a former racing driver.”
How rich is Matthews?
Very. According to The Evening Standard, in 2016, James was estimated to be worth more than £2 billion (that’s over $2.5 billion).
“Pippa has already moved into his £17 million mansion in west London, which boasts a gym, an underground cinema, a lift and a ‘staff room’, as well as six bedrooms,” the news site reports.
His father, David, holds the title Laird of Glen Affric and “owns a 10,000-acre Scottish estate near Loch Ness in the Scottish highlands” as well as “the luxury Eden Rock resort in St Barts in the Caribbean,” according to The Evening Standard.
4. Pippa Has a ‘No Ring, No Bring’ Policy for Her Wedding but Reportedly Made an Exception for Meghan Markle
Pippa and James have famously implemented a “no ring, no bring” policy for their wedding, according to multiple British news sites.
That means that guests can’t bring a plus one unless they’re married. That had some people wondering whether Prince Harry’s girlfriend, Meghan Markle, was being crossed off the guest list. There was speculation that Pippa was worried Meghan might overshadow her on her big day due to the massive attention fixated on the burgeoning relationship between Meghan and Harry.
However, newer reports say that the couple made an exception for Harry’s flame, and Markle will attend. UK Express reported, though, that Markle may attend the reception but not the ceremony.
The “no ring, no bring” policy apparently means that Vogue Williams, the girlfriend of James’ celebrity brother, Spencer Matthews, is out.
5. The Ceremony Will Be Held in a Middleton Family Church
James Matthews and Pippa Middleton with the Middleton family. (Getty)
Pippa and James will be married at St. Mark’s church in Englefield, Berkshire,.
The wedding reception is taking place at Englefield House in Berkshire, according to the Mirror, which noted that, in 2013, it was the “setting for an American reality TV series called ‘I Wanna Marry Harry’.”
AOL reports that Pippa is supposedly requiring guests to change into a second outfit for the reception.
This article will be updated with information on Pippa’s wedding ring when it is released.