After eight years together, Prince William and Kate Middleton are officially engaged to be married. And earlier today, the beaming couple proudly showed off Kate’s sparkler — the 18-carat sapphire and diamond ring that belonged to Will’s late mother, Princess Diana.

During an interview with Tom Bradby of ITV News in England, the dashing Prince was asked about the family heirloom. “I thought it was quite nice because obviously she’s not really around to share in any of the fun excitement of all this,” the Prince said of his mum. “So this is my way of keeping her sort of close to it all.”

…And our heart just melted.