The royal family’s extravagant gestures on Valentine’s Day - William’s sentimental gift to Kate and Harry’s '£3k' gift to Meghan
The couples celebrated Valentine's Day in their own way
When it comes to Valentine’s Day, the royal family has a history of showing their love with extravagant gifts, sentimental gestures and romantic surprises.
While Prince Harry went all out with a reported £3,000 jewellery gift for wife Meghan Markle, Prince William has opted for more thoughtful, meaningful tributes to his wife, Princess Kate.
Prince Harry’s lavish Valentine’s Day gift to Meghan Markle
The Duke of Sussex, 40, has never been shy about spoiling Meghan Markle, 43, with luxurious gifts, and last year was no exception.
According to HELLO!, Harry purchased a pair of £3,240 Diamond Cascade earrings from California-based jeweller Maya Brenner as a Valentine’s Day gift for his wife.
This month, Meghan wore the earrings while enjoying an early Valentine’s double-date with Canadian singer Michael Bublé and his wife Luisana Lopilato.
The couples dined at Il Caminetto, a high-end Italian restaurant in Whistler, ahead of Meghan’s return to California.
The gift was particularly thoughtful given Meghan’s longtime admiration for the jeweller.
Meghan has worn pieces from Maya Brenner for years. These have included the famous “H & M” necklace she was spotted wearing in Toronto in 2016. The necklace was one of the earliest indications of her serious relationship with Prince Harry.
Meghan is known to love jewellery, and Harry’s gift was a perfect tribute to their love story.
Prince William’s sentimental Valentine’s Day tribute to Princess Kate
Unlike his younger brother, Prince William has historically opted for personal gestures over lavish gifts.
Experts believe that William’s Valentine’s Day gift to Kate this year may be linked to their wedding day.
Florist Elise Harlock of Prestige Flowers pointed out that Kate’s bridal bouquet in 2011 was filled with meaningful flowers.
The bouquet consisted of lily of the valleys, hyacinths, ivy and myrtle.
Elise suggested that William may continue the tradition by gifting Kate a bouquet of these flowers this year as a nod to their wedding and enduring love.
The couple married in 2011 and will be celebrating their 14th wedding anniversary this year.
“All would be fitting to feature in a Valentine’s Day arrangement as a nod to their wonderful wedding almost 14 years ago,” Elise told HELLO!.
“Hyacinths are known to represent steadfast love. Ivy symbolises marriage, friendship and also affection. Myrtle, a favourite for royal wedding bouquets, also means love and hope. The elegant lily of the valley means happiness.”
Kate has previously joked about William’s gift-giving habits.
During a public outing in January 2023, florist Neil Ashcroft asked if William would be buying her roses for Valentine’s Day. But Kate responded with a laugh.
“I don’t think he will do!” she said.
William’s sentimental gesture to Kate as they spent Valentine’s Day apart
However, in 2012, when William and Kate spent their first Valentine’s as a married couple apart, he still sent her a card and flowers. How sweet!
They spent it apart due to William being deployed to the Falkland Islands as part of his role as an RAF search and rescue pilot.
King Charles and Queen Camilla’s Valentine’s Day gifts
King Charles and Queen Camilla have also had their fair share of romantic gifts.
The monarch has long been known for his romantic gestures. Last year, former royal butler Grant Harrold shared insights into his love for Camilla.
Speaking to Express about the most romantic royal, Grant revealed that Charles always goes the extra mile for his wife.
He said: “The king is very traditional and old-fashioned. He wouldn’t miss an opportunity to express his love for Camilla, just like he did for Diana at the time.”
The former butler also revealed a sweet personal detail about Charles and Camilla’s shared love of films, recalling one particular romantic gesture.
He said: “When I worked with the king, he once asked me to give him a film for him and Camilla to watch together. And I gave them a copy of Some Like It Hot with Marilyn Monroe.”
He added that Charles and Camilla are big fans of romantic comedies: “I wouldn’t be surprised if Camilla was a fan of a lot of rom-coms. They enjoy films as a way to unwind together.”
Read more: Prince William and Princess Kate share beautiful and intimate photo to mark Valentine’s Day
Are you celebrating Valentine’s Day? If so, how are you marking the occasion? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @RoyalInsiderOfficial.
