Lily Collins Reunited with Stolen £65k Engagement Ring After Three-Year Ordeal
In a heartwarming turn of events, actress Lily Collins has finally been reunited with her precious engagement ring, nearly three years after it was stolen from an upscale Los Angeles spa. The Emily in Paris star took to Instagram on Friday to share the joyous news, posting a photo of the distinctive rose-cut diamond back on her finger.
The Theft and Recovery
The theft occurred in 2023 during Collins' stay at the West Hollywood EDITION Hotel on Sunset Boulevard. The 36-year-old actress had placed the engagement ring—specially designed by her husband, filmmaker Charlie McDowell—in storage at the venue. When she returned, she discovered her belongings had been swiped, with no signs of forced entry.
Collins expressed immense gratitude to @joethejewelerchicago, a Chicago-based jeweller who played a crucial role in recovering the ring. "So grateful to @joethejewelerchicago for helping recover my original engagement ring after it was stolen almost three years ago," she wrote. "Having this home means SO much to us. I'm still speechless it's back on my finger."
The Ring's Significance and Value
The engagement ring holds deep sentimental value for Collins, as it was personally designed by McDowell in collaboration with Irene Neuwirth Jewellery. Described as an "exceptionally rare" piece, it features a light pink rose-cut diamond, estimated to weigh between 2 to 3 carats. This style of diamond appears larger due to its flatter cut compared to traditional modern diamonds.
Private jeweller Bonnie Dudeney provided expert insight to HELLO!, noting that the ring would likely command a retail price upwards of £65,000. Collins had previously spoken of her heartbreak over the loss on Live with Kelly and Ryan, emphasising the ring's unique design and emotional importance.
Collins and McDowell's Relationship Timeline
Collins and McDowell—son of actor Malcolm McDowell—met on the set of his film Gilded Rage in 2019 and confirmed their engagement in September 2020. They exchanged vows in an intimate wedding ceremony at Dunton Hot Springs, Colorado, in September 2021. The couple welcomed their daughter, Tove, via surrogate in January 2023.
Both Collins and McDowell have had notable past relationships. McDowell was previously in a long-term relationship with actress Rooney Mara and dated Emilia Clarke and Hilary Duff. Collins, daughter of pop star Phil Collins, had a brief fling with her Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile co-star Zac Efron in 2012.
Future Plans: A Move to London
Amidst this personal milestone, Collins and McDowell are planning a significant life change. Sources indicate they are preparing to move from Los Angeles to London with their year-old daughter, Tove. Collins has been eyeing a return to Britain since "falling in love" with London during her 12-week run in the West End thriller Barcelona over Christmas in 2024.
A source told Daily Mail: "Lily grew up in the English countryside with many happy memories and she wants the same for her daughter. But instead of the countryside, she has fallen in love with London because that's where she has lots of friends and family. She is particularly taken with the north, like Hampstead and Queen's Park." Collins hopes to make the move permanent as she considers school options for Tove, blending her career with family life in a new setting.
