“Ask for Harry”: The new way to get engagement rings through airport security secretly

Planning a romantic marriage proposal abroad but worried about how you’ll get the engagement ring through airport security? You are not alone. After polling our 12.9K social media following, we uncovered that 76% of proposers feel stressed when going through airport security with their partner and a hidden ring.

Yes, you can take an engagement ring with you, but it must be in your hand luggage. Never put the ring in checked luggage as these bags can get lost, delayed or occasionally searched by staff.

Also, don't keep the ring in your pocket. It will trigger the body scanner or metal detector, forcing you to empty your pockets into a plastic tray right under your partner’s nose.

A single engagement ring will not typically trigger the walk-through metal detector. However, the X-ray machine will see the metal band.

• The diamond fact: Diamonds are made of carbon and are "radiolucent," meaning they are virtually invisible to X-rays.

• The band fact: The gold or platinum band will appear as a small dark shape. Security is used to seeing jewellery – they only pull bags if they see liquids, electronics or large dense masses.

To make sure nothing gets in the way of your special moment, we’ve created “Ask for Harry” with support from London Luton Airport – a new campaign launched to keep engagement rings in your luggage (and your proposal!) a secret from your partner.

Now, secret proposers can simply use the incognito phrase to stealthily alert airport staff that you’re carrying a hidden engagement ring*. Simply ask, "Does Harry still work here?" at security to let the airport staff know you’re carrying an engagement ring. Although nothing is exempt when doing a thorough bag check, this will help ensure staff know you’ll need a smooth, surprise-proof baggage check. Keep your proposal under wraps!

The initiative follows results from our 2024 Marriage Proposal Report, which revealed that 53% of UK couples choose to pop the question during romantic getaways abroad. Glistening shorelines of Mediterranean countries like Italy and Greece topped the list of most popular proposal destinations.

With more couples passing through the departure lounge to get engaged, the need for the safe concealment of rings is increasing. Our social poll showed an incredible 9 in 10 (90%) proposers currently hide their ring either in their hand luggage or in their pocket at the airport. A risky move that’s left 75% of proposers wishing there was a better way to secretly let airport security know when they have a ring hidden in their bag.

With support from London Luton Airport, the new campaign, “Ask for Harry” ensures the special moment happens in the dreamy getaway you planned and not in an airport queue!

Laura Suttie, an engagement ring expert from Queensmith, is hoping more airports adopt the initiative: "At Queensmith, we believe everyone should have the proposal of their dreams and supporting our customers on their journey to the altar is at the heart of what we do.”

"That’s why we’ve teamed up with London Luton Airport to launch ‘Ask for Harry’, taking the fear out of the logistics of popping the big question abroad. and allows people to focus on enjoying what we hope will be one of the best moments of their lives."

Did you know some airports offer a "romance" service?

• Pre-notification: Airports like East Midlands have previously offered a "Secret Code" service. You email the team in advance and then when you arrive, you give the code word, and they will subtly separate you from your partner into a different queue.

• Check your departure airport: Even if they don't have a formal program, you can sometimes "scout ahead" and let a staff member know your situation while your partner is busy with their boarding pass.

As part of the “Ask for Harry” initiative, we spoke to our customers who faced the nerve-wracking challenge of keeping their engagement ring hidden while going through airport security.

One story comes from James Copeland from Middlesbrough, who shared how the fear of security blowing his cover added an extra layer of stress to his proposal plans, he says: “I always planned for the worst-case scenario. My biggest fear at airport security was losing the ring if my luggage went missing, so I decided to keep it in my hand luggage. But this added a whole new layer of worry.

“Kitty often asks me to carry extra liquids, as well as having snacks in my bag, so I knew there was a chance she could accidentally see the ring. To hide it, I tucked the box inside a pair of socks, hoping she'd think it was just extra clothes.

“My worry was that if the ring was discovered in my hand luggage I would then have to propose in the middle of the terminal, still in the UK, and not on our planned trip to Niagara Falls!”

Another story comes from John Stevenson from Chelmsford, who offered his top advice for anyone travelling with an engagement ring through the airport.

“I was very nervous going through airport security, especially as I had to do it more than once on the trip. My main concern was that the security staff would open my bag in front of Emma and the surprise would be ruined. I ensured I was in a separate queue and that Emma went through before me just in case my bag beeped.

“The internal panic when my bag went through the machine was intense... quickly followed by the relief when nothing happened. That happened four separate times! I would also constantly check if the ring was still in my bag as I had concealed it in an outer pocket. I felt as though I was doing something illegal!

“Make sure you're insured! As long as you've planned your proposal spot and are careful when travelling, you’ll be fine. Security staff are usually very understanding in these cases; after all, they see this kind of thing daily.

My one piece of advice? Stay calm. Acting nervous at the airport is a dead giveaway to your partner!”

Clare Armstrong, Head of Guest Experience at London Luton Airport, said: “Every day, we are part of couples’ special moments - whether they’re jetting off on their honeymoon, celebrating anniversaries or reuniting at arrivals.

"Our goal is always to provide a smooth and welcoming experience for everyone travelling through the airport. The last thing we want is to spoil a well-planned proposal by accidentally revealing the surprise before they even board the plane.

“That’s why we’re so excited for Queensmith’s “Ask for Harry”, helping make the proposal journey a little easier for our passengers. After all, there are far more romantic places to pop the question than our security hall!"

Alongside “Ask for Harry”, the experts at Queensmith have provided three top tips for taking an engagement ring through security for an overseas proposal:

If you follow all the hand luggage requirements and regulations advised by the airport you’re flying from, such as liquids being under 100ml, iPads, laptops and any other large electricals out of your bags if needed, your bag is unlikely to be pulled up for a search.

Make sure you listen carefully to the instructions given by the staff.

Politely let your partner go ahead of you in the security line. That way, they'll be too occupied with filling up their security tray to notice yours. If the opportunity arises, see if you can join a separate line to them!

If your bag is pulled over for further inspection, suggest your partner go ahead and grab a coffee. And remember to ask, "Does Harry still work here?" (if you're at Luton Airport) to let the security staff know they should inspect your bag discreetly.

Not only will this save you from days spent stressing whether your partner will find the ring, but it will also mean you can spend most of the holiday celebrating.

While the first day of a holiday is usually reserved for resting and getting over jet lag, the second day is the perfect option – you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy your engagement bubble together!

If the worst happens and your bag is flagged when going through airport security, we suggest these three tips:

1. Stay calm: Panic looks like guilt to security.

2. The distraction script: Say to your partner: "I think I left my Kindle/Water/Keys in the bottom. You go ahead and find a coffee spot/check the gate, I'll be two minutes."

3. Private screening: You have the right to request a private screening. Ask the officer quietly.

In general, you do not need to declare an engagement ring at customs as it is a personal good. Customs declarations are typically required for goods arriving unaccompanied or for items exceeding duty-free allowances.

Here are a few key points to consider:

• Personal goods: If you purchased the engagement ring in your home country and will bring it back after your trip abroad, it is considered a personal good. Therefore, you are not required to declare it.

• Customs inspection: In the unlikely event that you are searched at customs and questioned about the ring, simply explain its purpose. Customs officers are likely familiar with this scenario.

• Proof of ownership: For peace of mind, you can take additional steps such as registering the ring before you leave the country or taking a photo of yourself with the ring to prove it was not acquired abroad. You should also keep copies of receipts, appraisals and any certificates of authenticity.

• Insurance and inspection: It is also advisable to have the ring inspected and insured before your trip to protect against any potential loss or damage. Travel insurance for an engagement ring helps you cover any loss, theft or damage while travelling.

If travelling with your high-value engagement ring is still a concern, then why not consider a holiday engagement ring?

Have you ever had your engagement ring discovered at airport security, or accidentally blown your cover before the big proposal?

Whether it was a funny mishap, a heart-stopping moment, or a surprise that still worked out perfectly, we want to know all about it! Share your experiences with us via this Google form.