Sure, diamonds are a girl's best friend [1], and no one does amazing jewelry like the royal family [2], but when it comes to feelings that stand the test of time, nothing says "I love you" more than crossing oceans, giving up a career, turning up in a helicopter, or tearing up the rulebook on tradition. Valentine's Day is just around the corner, so take a look at some of the royal family's most romantic gestures through the years.
Prince Philip
The diamond engagement ring that Prince Philip gave to the queen was a traditional declaration of love, but it was his wedding day gesture that meant so much more. The queen's father, King George VI, had become ill from his nicotine habit, and knowing how deeply upset his bride-to-be was, Philip gave up smoking on the morning of his wedding. He also gave up a promising military career in order to forever be a support to the woman he loved.
The Queen
When the queen and Prince Philip married, he was unhappy that she didn't take his name. At the time, she chose to keep "Windsor." However, 13 years later in 1960, she decided that their children's surname would become a hyphenate of his and her last names — meaning they are all now Mountbatten-Windsor. In the same year, the queen paid further tribute to her husband when she chose the name Andrew for their new son. He was named after Philip's late father, Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark.
King Edward VII
One of the most famous romantic gestures of all time . . . Edward was in a relationship with the socialite Wallis Simpson, but because she was divorced he could never marry her and still be king. When his father, King George V, passed away, Edward had a decision to make, and he chose love over his throne, abdicating 11 months later and before he was crowned.
Prince William
When William and Kate were courting, he famously once landed his helicopter in the field next to her parents' house. Then on their first royal tour in Canada, when William was demonstrating how to crash-land a helicopter on water, he banked it around in front of Kate as a tribute to his new bride. However, possibly the most romantic gesture he has made was when he stated that there would be no prenuptial agreement when they married.
Sarah Ferguson
When Sarah was having her wedding dress made in 1986, she requested that an "A" for Andrew be embroidered into the train of her wedding dress, along with waves in tribute to her new husband's naval career.
Prince Edward
Another wedding day sign of love was engineered by Prince Edward, who helped design the black and white pearl necklace and earrings that were a gift to his bride.
Queen Victoria
Another royal love story from the history books comes courtesy of Queen Victoria and her beloved Prince Albert. When he passed away from typhoid in 1861, she wore mourning black for the remaining 40 years of her life and had the Albert Memorial in Hyde Park and the Royal Albert Hall built in his honor.
Prince Harry
Back in 2006, Harry flew the 6,000 miles to Cape Town, South Africa, specially for then-girlfriend Chelsy Davy's 21st birthday party. He also wore a t-shirt he'd had made reading "Official bodyguard of Miss CD."