Proposals

When proposing, which knee do you kneel on? 

When proposing, which knee do you kneel on? 

If you’re thinking about proposing, you might be wondering about the logistics of how you do so – it’s not something that’s often talked about! Here, we run through the logistics of proposing – which knee to kneel on, and which hand to hold the ring box in. 

Which knee do you kneel on when proposing, and why? 

Traditionally, you should kneel on the left knee – like a knight. Your right knee should remain up, and the ring box should be in your left hand, which you then open with your right hand. However, most people are right-side dominant, and kneeling on your left knee might actually feel awkward (and the very last thing you want to be doing is falling over while proposing!) 

We suggest trying the move out on your own, to see if it feels natural. If it does, great! If it doesn’t, try the other side. Your partner is very unlikely to notice (or to care!) about which knee you get down on, so we would suggest choosing whichever knee feels more stable to kneel on and opening the ring box with the opposite hand. 

What else should you think about when proposing? 

More important than the knee you kneel on – here’s what you should think about beforehand; 

  • The ring (of course!) 
  • Where are you proposing and why? Think: is it their favourite restaurant, or a significant place for you as a couple? 
  • Who will capture the moment? Do you have a friend, family member or photographer waiting in the wings with a camera? 
  • How will you keep it a surprise? Many people want to look their best for their engagement. How will you subtly imply it’s an occasion they might want to dress up for, while still keeping it a surprise? 

Got everything prepared – but the ring?

So you’ve got your plan in place – but if you’ve not decided on the ring yet, take a look at our selection of beautiful engagement rings for inspiration. And remember, you can always talk to our friendly team for advice!