News of Prince Williams and Kate’s engagement brought greet cheer to England and the rest of the world – just what we needed to lift us amidst news of the double dip recession, falling house prices, increasing taxes, and hike in VAT. For a few industries, the engagement brought new business.

Kate’s engagement ring, the dazzling oval blue ring has a 12 carat Ceylon saphire with solitaire diamonds in 18 carat white gold. Princess Diana chose the ring out of a selection presented by the Crown jewellers Garrard. As it was no a bespoke ring, it is available to the public. In 1981, at the time of Princess Diana’s engagement, it cost £28,000. It is now valued at a £250,000 because of its connections to the princess.

On a touching note, it has been reported that Prince Harry picked out the ring after his mother’s death as one of the items he was allowed to keep from his mother. Prince Williams was reported to have picked his mother’s favourite watch. It was only fitting that Prince Williams gave Kate his mother’s ring to keep his mother’s spirit on the occasion and to avoid the extravagance of a new ring in austere Britain.

Garrard still sells the ring and other imitation jewellers are copying the style. It has been reported that the royal engagement increased interest in the ring by 800%

Kate also set fashion tongues wagging with her choice of a blue Issa dress that matched her ring perfectly. The dress, appropriately named ‘lucky’ is designed by Brazilian designer Daniella Issa Helayel. It is currently being sold for £399 at Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Fenwick and Matches. The dress is a silky jersey that fits snuggly in all the right curves and yetseems demure enough for a princess. It appears this dress has been sold out and the designer has received much publicity.

There are whispers that the designer has also been tipped to create a wedding dress for Kate. Issa politely declined to comment, showing the potential to be the perfect royal dress maker!