What's a girl to do? There you are, on a lovely holiday in Kenya, and your bloke - after seven long years - finally pops the question, fishes in his rucksack and presents you with the ring.
You gasp and your eyes fill with tears, you utter a breathless 'yes'
and then you look at the ring and it's his mother's.
An 18-carat white gold ring with an oval sapphire that caught the eye of the blushing young Lady Diana Spencer in 1981.
She was offered a tray of jewels and told to take her pick and, just like a magpie, she snapped up the shiniest and her fate was sealed.
Lady Diana and the Prince of Wales were wed, thus beginning one of the most ill-fated and joyless unions ever.
Diana, as we well know, died young and although Prince William had the best of intentions in wanting to show his fiancee just how important she is in his life by linking her with his mother, I hope Catherine Middleton is not superstitious.
It's hard to see how any good portents can be associated with the whopping great rock.
If Chuck and Di had had a long and loving marriage before death claimed her too early, sure. If you were close to your mother-in-law to be and it gave her great happiness, fine. But like this, it just seems a bit creepy.
Creepy or not, William is reverting to family tradition. When Charles offered Diana the tray of rings it was the first time a royal bride had been offered a ring that could be bought over the counter. Perhaps all the troubles began there.
Queen Elizabeth's platinum and diamond ring was crafted from diamonds from a tiara belonging to the mother of her fiance Prince Philip.
And her mother's was also fashioned from old family gems. So maybe it will all work out in the end.
Certainly the other omens look good. Kate and William flatted together and were friends before becoming lovers. She's seen how mad his family can be and has experienced the horror of being followed by the paparazzi so it won't be as invasive and intrusive as it was for Diana.
All everyone can do is wish them well.
<i>Kerre Woodham</i>: Royal ring-in is a bit creepy
Opinion by
What's a girl to do? There you are, on a lovely holiday in Kenya, and your bloke - after seven long years - finally pops the question, fishes in his rucksack and presents you with the ring.
You gasp and your eyes fill with tears, you utter a breathless 'yes'
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