Model and presenter Alexa Chung has confirmed her engagement to actor Tom Sturridge, ending three years of public speculation that began when she was first spotted wearing a ring in June 2023. Discussing the commitment in More Or Less magazine, Chung revealed her antique Tudor table-cut diamond ring carries an uncanny royal history linked to Henry VIII’s wives.
What You Need to Know About the Engagement
- The Confirmation: Alexa Chung has officially broken her silence on her engagement to Tom Sturridge, following initial rumors that sparked in June 2023 and reignited at Paris Fashion Week in 2024.
- The Ring: The engagement ring is an authentic Tudor-era piece featuring a table-cut diamond, selected by Sturridge because of Chung’s love for vintage items.
- The History: Chung noted that similar rings are worn by figures like Anne Boleyn in portraits at the National Portrait Gallery in London.
From Wimbledon Debuts to Paris Fashion Week Rumors
The public relationship between Chung and Sturridge first stepped into the spotlight in July 2022, when the couple was photographed sharing a kiss at Wimbledon. For months, media speculation regarding their marital status remained entirely unconfirmed. Tabloids and fashion chroniclers tracked every appearance closely, noting when Chung left a birthday party in June 2023 wearing a prominent band on her left hand. Speculation flared up again the following year when photographers captured the ring during Paris Fashion Week.
Until now, neither publicist addressed the persistent whispers. Breaking her silence, Chung discussed the provenance of the jewelry directly with More Or Less magazine. Sturridge, a 40-year-old actor known for his work in The Sandman, previously shared a four-year relationship with actress Sienna Miller from 2011 to 2015. Miller and Sturridge share a 14-year-old daughter named Marlowe, and Miller is currently engaged to actor Oli Green.
The Tudor History and the Hairstylist’s Warning
The antique piece deviates entirely from the traditional modern solitaire diamond. Chung explained that Sturridge sourced the specific piece because he knows her deep appreciation for historical artifacts. “My engagement ring is a Tudor,” Chung told More Or Less magazine. “Tom knows how what an avid lover of vintage and antiques I am, so he found me a magnificent Tudor ring.”
The design utilizes an ancient table-cut style, characterized by the absence of a raised upper point. The model noted a chilling historical parallel during a visit to the National Portrait Gallery in London. “When I went to the National Portrait Gallery and looked at images of Anne Boleyn and all the other people who perished at the hands of Henry VIII, a lot of them had these rings on,” she stated. Anne Boleyn served as the second wife of the King of England before he ordered her execution in 1536.
The conversation around the artifact took a bizarre turn in Paris. While sitting in a salon chair getting her hair styled before a fashion show, her friend and hairstylist Alexandri noticed the antique band. According to Chung’s account reported by 20 Minutes, the stylist blurted out, “Oh my god, I think your ring is haunted.” The stylist promptly removed the jewelry from her finger, blowing on it and whispering protective wishes around the band. Chung deflected the superstition with characteristic wit, remarking, “I hope that my ring isn’t haunted. Or do I? Because that’s iconic.”
| Milestone | Details |
|---|---|
| Public Debut | July 2022 at Wimbledon |
| Initial Engagement Rumors | June 2023 (spotted with ring) |
| Rumor Reignition | Paris Fashion Week (2024) |
Chung’s romantic history includes high-profile relationships with Arctic Monkeys frontman Alex Turner from 2007 to 2011, and actor Alexander Skarsgård nearly a decade ago.
