PREACH IT! Nice engagement ring, Kate and Wills -- just don't stand next to Hilary Duff

Cor blimey, would you just look at the shiny rock that our handsome prince has placed on milady's finger!

We speak, of course, of the well-nigh crown jewel that Prince William, second in line for the British throne, has given as an engagement ring to longtime love Kate Middleton. It's a sapphire surrounded by diamonds, and it's a family heirloom -- William's dad, Prince Charles, first presented it to Lady Diana Spencer to celebrate their own engagement back in 1981.

The rock is currently supposed to be worth about 127,000 quid, or a little more than $265,000 at Tuesday's exchange rate. And it belongs to people who have a history of vacationing in castles
surrounded by Corgis, which adds a certain glam value, if not dollar value.

But the cherished creation is not the most lavish of engagement rings -- not in the world of celebrity. Sure, Jessica Simpson's brand-new rock (which she may or may not have purchased for herself) is worth a mere $100,000. But country star Carrie Underwood, who married hockey player Mike Fisher in July, got a ring worth a reported $800,000.

And Khloe Kardashian was said to have received a $850,000 ring when she got engaged to basketballer Lamar Odom; fortunately it's only the wedding ring she's had trouble keeping on her finger in a crowd.

But here’s the kicker: Hilary Duff. The onetime Disney star, who got engaged in February, reportedly got a $1-million ring upon her betrothal to hockey player Mike Comrie. And that was in addition to the $100,000-plus Mercedes SUV with a bow on top she got for her 20th birthday.

Duff and Comrie tied the knot in August.

RELATED:

Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson are engaged

Prince William and Kate Middleton are engaged [pictures]

Hilary Duff marries hockey player Mike Comrie in Montecito

-- Leslie Gornstein

Ring photos, from top: Kate Middleton's heirloom, Hilary Duff's rock and Kourtney Kardashian's sparkler. Credits, from top: Arthur Edwards / AFP/Getty Images; Jason Kempin / Getty Images; Neilson Barnard / Getty Images

Bottom photo: Kate Middleton and Prince William in the State Apartments of London's St. James Palace on Nov. 15, 2010. Photo: Chris Jackson / Getty Images

Comments

[Mary Ann]

Hilary's engagement ring is HUGE!! 1. Hilary. 2. Khloe 3. Kate

I don't know about anyone else but as a girl, I'd feel weird w/ a ring of a person that has passed away especially when that person's marriage did not go well. though I'm sure it would be a scandal if he got her a new ring.

[parker]

Yeah her ring is MASSIVE. I went to Hilary's book signing and I heard her hubby helped design the ring! Gotta say he has a good eye! She was very lovely and she deserves all the carats.

[jayson]

All I can say is "wow!"
The price of the rings are truly unbelievable!
I love Kate Middleton's engagement ring not for its worth but for its value because It is a family heirloom.

[Dude]

All consenting sex is paid for. Doesn't matter if she's in the church choir.