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Crown Princess Victoria, Sofia & Madeleine broke tradition with engagement rings

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The Swedish Royal Family have mostly kept to tradition when it comes to

For instance, Crown Princess Victoria’s aunt Princess Birgitta got engaged to Prince Johann Georg of Hohenzollern in 1960 with a plain gold band.

Three Swedish Princesses have since chosen more contemporary rings with eye-catching diamonds, breaking with convention.

The top jewellers at Steven Stone closely examined the Swedish Royal Family’s engagement rings to learn more about which women started a new trend in engagement rings.

Model became engaged to Prince Carl Phillip in 2014 with a round diamond encircled by a halo of smaller diamonds set on a pavé band.

Since her wedding in 2015, Princess Sofia matches her engagement ring with a wedding band covered in diamonds.

Prince Carl Philip collaborated with royal jeweller W.A. Bolin to design the basic ring. A ring for Crown Princess Victoria was likewise commissioned from the same high-end jewellery firm.

For her first appearance at Sweden’s parliament’s annual opening session, the Riksdag, Sofia wore her engagement ring and two bracelets.

Maxwell Stone, the creative director at Steven Stone said: “Sofia’s opulent engagement ring is set on a double-diamond band. It has a brilliant round-cut centre diamond that’s surrounded by a halo of lesser diamonds.

“It is simple and understated, yet at the same time, it breaks royal tradition, making it stand out from the crowd. We think a ring like this would be worth around £10,000.”

On February 24, 2009, , the future Queen of Sweden, announced her engagement to her personal trainer Daniel Westling, whilst proudly flashing her white gold solitaire diamond engagement ring.

Mr Stone added: “If I were to estimate, I’d have to say the solitaire is between two and three carats and no doubt of excellent quality.

“It is set perfectly on a white gold band, with a design that’s classic, timeless, and sophisticated. This ring is probably worth around £75,000 to £100,000.”

The Swedish Royal Court confirmed engagement to American financier Christopher O’Neill on October 25, 2012.

Madeleine was surprised by Christopher with a magnificent Asscher-cut diamond engagement ring.

The tiny pavé band and four-carat stone together symbolise contemporary minimalism. She wears the elegant Asscher-cut between two thin pave diamond bands in a setting that is rather straightforward.

Zack Stone, the managing director at Steven Stone commented: “This gorgeous ring features a four-carat asscher cut stone.

also chose an Asscher cut stone for her engagement ring, and it’s becoming increasingly popular with both royals and celebrities, as not only is it unique, but it has a rich history behind it.

“The Asscher cut was invented in 1902 by Joseph Asscher, the artisan diamond cutter who founded the Royal Asscher Diamond Company.

“It was the first patented diamond cut, protecting it from replication from other companies. The Asscher cut was a staple of art deco jewellery, with its straight lines and brilliance making it perfect for the movement.

“Bearing all this in mind, it’s likely that Princess Madeleine’s engagement ring is worth around £150,000.”



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LookFantastic men’s £45 grooming edit is worth £145

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Father’s Day is fast approaching (it’s on June 21 this year, in case it’s slipped your mind), and if you’re anything like me and have a dad who insists he doesn’t need anything, finding the perfect gift can feel almost impossible.

One option that’s becoming increasingly popular is the grooming gift set. Beauty bags have been around for years, covering everything from skincare to haircare, but they’ve traditionally been geared more towards women. That’s beginning to change, though, with more brands launching grooming edits designed specifically for men, packed with skincare essentials, shower products, fragrances and beard care treats.

Next has already unveiled its Father’s Day Grooming Edit for 2025, priced at £25. The retailer says the contents are worth £84, making it an affordable way to treat the father figure in your life. Now, following closely behind, LookFantastic has launched its own Grooming Edit, and it’s certainly caught my attention.

According to the brand, the men’s beauty box contains products worth an impressive £145, yet shoppers can pick it up for just £45. Inside, you’ll find a selection of products from well-known names, including Rituals, Jo Malone, Clinique, Dermalogica, Aveeno and Barber Pro – all brands that are synonymous with premium grooming and often come with premium price tags to match.

The edit offers a good mix of products across skincare, fragrance and haircare, giving recipients the chance to try a variety of high-end favourites. Everything arrives packaged inside a practical washbag that can be reused long after the products are gone, making it especially useful with the busy summer travel season just around the corner.

Of the seven products included, three are full-size, while the remaining four are described as deluxe sizes, which, on closer inspection, essentially means they’re travel-sized. That’s not necessarily a drawback, however, as every product is 100ml or under, making them easy to pack into hand luggage for holidays and weekend getaways this summer.

Shoppers have generally been impressed by the value on offer. In one review, a customer described the beauty bag as a “great deal”, writing: “An amazing selection, very well selected, wide range of products.”

Not everyone was completely satisfied, though. One shopper felt the presentation let the gift down, explaining: “Bought as a gift, what a shame that it comes with a large barcode label stuck to it, which is really difficult to get off. Makes a nice gift appear cheap.”

Overall, however, the grooming edit has earned a solid four-star rating from previous shoppers, suggesting it’s proving a popular choice for those still searching for a Father’s Day gift.



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‘Flattering’ £32 denim midi dress shoppers say it’s ‘very slimming’

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Denim dresses have long been a wardrobe staple worth investing in, not least because they’re the ultimate ‘throw on and go’ style for almost any occasion. And one frock that fashion fans have been hailing as ‘flattering’ and ‘very slimming’ has received an £8 price cut in time for summer.

Originally £40, the Very Collection’s Denim Seamed Midi Dress has been reduced to £32, saving 20% on the RRP. Available in sizes 8-20, the dress is made from 100% cotton, which is ideal for the warmer weather due to its breathable nature.

Dark wash denim is widely considered to look more expensive than lighter washes, giving the midi dress a sophisticated feel, while the concealed back zip fastening keeps it feeling premium.

But it’s the cut that has shoppers raving about it, from the flattering panelled design to the short capped sleeves and tie-back waist detail that helps create a more defined silhouette. The fitted bodice flows into a fuller skirt, creating a classic silhouette that works across a range of body types.

Reviews have been overwhelmingly positive, with an overall rating of 4.7 stars on the Very website. One happy customer said: “This dress has a beautiful cut. It flows perfectly and fits true to size. I ordered a 14 and I’m really pleased with it. The length is nice and long just more than a midi length. Defo worth the price.”

“Very flattering dress. Beautiful thin denim material. Love it! Order your usual size,” said another while a third added: “Lovely denim dress, material not too heavy, very slimming.”

Not everyone found the dress to suit their body shape, though, with one writing: “Bought recently for the forthcoming warmer season. The dress is lovely, quite soft for denim, but the skirt is much fuller than it looks in the picture and unfortunately didn’t suit me so sadly I had to return it.”

But generally, it’s been a real hit, with another five-star review reading: “This dress is just gorgeous. It sits flatteringly on the hips and bust and the tie at the back belt really flatters the waistline. It’s a little long on me, I’m 5’ 2” but it still works. Like long midi length. I got so many compliments at work on it.”

If the Very dress doesn’t quite meet your requirements, there’s an abundance of alternative options on the high street, owing to their popularity this season. The Roman Denim Panel Detail Midi Dress costs £42 and comes in three colours, complete with v-neck and sleeveless design in a fit and flare shape. However, sizes only range from 10 to 20.

For those who would prefer to cover their arms, Boden’s Zip Puff Sleeve Denim Dress is now in the sale. Originally £149, it’s now half price at £74.50, characterised by a zip front, puff-ball sleeves and flattering panelled skirt.

When it comes to styling a denim midi, the possibilities are practically endless. As the dress does a lot of the heavy lifting, simple accessories work best, be it white trainers and a crossbody bag for everyday wear, or tan sandals and gold jewellery for summer lunches, or dress it up with espadrille wedges and a woven clutch for holidays and garden parties.

At £32, Very’s denim dress is one of the more affordable ways to dip your toe into the trend. Shoppers can explore the deal here.



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Save hundreds with Monica Vinader earrings inspired by Meghan Markle | Royal | News

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Meghan Markle’s jewellery collection is filled with investment pieces, but one pair of earrings in particular has become something of a signature. The Duchess of Sussex is often spotted wearing her Bottega Veneta gold hoop earrings, a sleek elongated design with a sculptural silhouette that reportedly retails for around £450.

Thankfully, shoppers can recreate a remarkably similar look for a fraction of the price.

As soon as we spotted Monica Vinader’s Groove Huggie Earrings in the brand’s summer sale, we were immediately reminded of Meghan’s designer pair. While the royal favourite’s hoops are slightly larger, Monica Vinader’s version offers the same polished gold finish and contemporary chunky aesthetic that has become synonymous with Meghan’s understated California style.

Even better, the earrings are currently reduced by 40%, meaning shoppers can save more than £40. Usually priced at £109, they can now be picked up for just £65.40 as part of the summer sale, where discounts of up to 50% are available across selected jewellery.

Crafted from 18k gold vermeil, the Groove Huggie Earrings feature a textured ribbed finish that catches the light beautifully, giving them a luxurious feel well beyond their price point. The slightly chunkier shape makes them ideal for everyday wear, while the compact huggie design offers a more wearable take on Meghan’s statement-making hoops.

What I particularly love about them is their versatility. They are bold enough to elevate a simple white shirt and jeans, yet understated enough to wear alongside tailoring, occasionwear or summer dresses. Much like Meghan’s Bottega earrings, they strike that difficult balance between modern and timeless.

The royal connection doesn’t stop there either. Meghan Markle has long been a fan of Monica Vinader, having worn the brand’s earrings, bracelets and rings on numerous occasions over the years. Princess Catherine is also a loyal supporter of the British jewellery label, regularly stepping out in their pieces during both official engagements and off-duty moments.



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