For many couples, an engagement ring is the ultimate love token, to be treasured for life.
But a growing band of celebrities are now looking to upgrade theirs as their fame – and bank balances – increase, or even swap them altogether.
Amanda Holden, presenter of Britain’s Got Talent, is the latest star to show off a shiny new engagement ring on her social media pages – with a source revealing that her record producer husband Chris Hughes bought it ‘as a little upgrade for Christmas’.
Diamond expert Zack Stone, of Steven Stone Jewellers, told The Mail on Sunday that Ms Holden’s new ring will have cost in the region of £200,000.
‘The oval ring with yellow gold band and platinum head with hidden halo looks to be six to seven carats in size and the cost likely to be £200,000,’ he said.
Her first engagement ring – from 2008 – was somewhat less extravagant. Mr Stone said: ‘That was a two-and-a-half carat, emerald-cut ring roughly around £40,000.’
Amanda Holden , presenter of Britain’s Got Talent, is the latest star to show off a shiny new engagement ring on her social media
Diamond expert Zack Stone, of Steven Stone Jewellers, told The Mail on Sunday that Ms Holden’s new ring will have cost in the region of £200,000
Ms Holden pictured in 2024 with her first engagement ring – from 2008 – that was somewhat less extravagant
The couple – who live in a £7 million mansion in Surrey with their two daughters, Lexi, 18, and Hollie, 12 –met in Los Angeles in 2003
The 53-year-old is not the first celebrity to update their engagement ring. Others include Meghan Markle, Victoria Beckham, Kate Hudson and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.
Ms Holden celebrated her 16th wedding anniversary to Chris last month, sharing a gushing media post of their Christmas-themed wedding day held at St Margaret’s Church in Somerset.
She wrote: ‘Sixteen years ago today I married the love of my life. Twenty-one years together and I still fancy the pants off him.’
The couple – who live in a £7 million mansion in Surrey with their two daughters, Lexi, 18, and Hollie, 12 –met in Los Angeles in 2003 but only started dating a year later after reuniting during London Fashion Week.
Their 2008 star-studded wedding reception was held at exclusive private members’ club Babington House in Somerset, with guests including double Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne, Gavin And Stacey creator James Corden, singer Mick Hucknall and broadcaster Piers Morgan.
In 2019, Ms Holden said of her marriage: ‘Chris is very funny and errs on the side of lightness. We can make jokes out of any situation throughout the best and darkest times of our lives.
‘He’s rubbish at romance, but he’s there for the solid things – such as keeping my car clean and making sure that I relax. He’s a proper bloke who looks after me. I’m a strong, opinionated woman, but he helps steer the Mandy ship.’
Prior to meeting Chris, the presenter was married to TV presenter Les Dennis from 1995 to 2002.
During her 25-year marriage, Victoria Beckham, 50, has sported 15 engagement rings
Victoria Beckham
During her 25-year marriage, the fashion designer, 50, has sported 15 engagement rings. Husband David has upgraded her original marquise-cut diamond to emeralds, rubies and sapphires.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex
Her original ring was a six-carat, cushion-cut diamond from Botswana flanked by two smaller diamonds – which once belonged to Princess Diana – on a plain band. In 2019, the gold band was topped by pavé diamonds.
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
The supermodel, 37, accepted a five-carat diamond from Jason Statham in 2016. Since 2022, she has been wearing a pear-shaped diamond by Jessica McCormack.
Kate Hudson
The American actress, 45, received two rings from rock star Matt Bellamy – an emerald-cut diamond and, later, an Asscher-cut emerald. The pair split in 2014 after three years together.
Mel B
Victoria’s Spice Girl bandmate, 49, was presented with an engagement ring by ex-husband Stephen Belafonte ‘every couple of years’ during their ten-year marriage.
Mary, Queen of Denmark
When Frederik, then Crown Prince of Denmark, proposed to Mary Donaldson in 2003, he chose two emerald-cut rubies flanking a centre diamond ring – a nod to the Danish flag. Mary, 52, later added two more diamonds on the outside.