In a recent heartwarming video celebrating the end of her chemotherapy treatment, Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, and her family enjoy a sunny day outdoors, dressed in casual yet elegant attire. Notably, Kate isn’t wearing her famous sapphire engagement ring—an iconic piece passed down from Princess Diana—but instead displays a new eternity band, sparking curiosity.
The 18-carat sapphire ring is a significant and bold piece of jewelry, but its absence from the video is not surprising. According to Lauren Kiehna, founder of The Court Jeweller blog, it’s common for royal women, like everyone else, to change their jewelry based on the occasion.
Kiehna explained that sometimes women opt for more understated pieces during intimate or casual moments. In this instance, Kate’s choice of the eternity band aligns with her relaxed setting in the video, where she prioritizes a less grandiose piece.
The new eternity ring has been seen before, particularly in a video made by Kate and Prince William to congratulate British athletes on their achievements at the 2024 Paris Olympics. This slim, sparkling band features alternating light and dark gemstones, offering a modern and sophisticated look.
Experts speculate that the ring’s design holds personal significance, likely reflecting family connections. Kiehna suggests that the gems might be linked to Kate and William’s three children, as their birthstones—ruby, emerald, and diamond—are similar to those often used in eternity bands.
In both the Olympic congratulatory video and the most recent clip, Kate wears this new band alongside two other rings: her traditional Welsh gold wedding band and another gold and diamond ring. The latter was a gift from Prince William after the birth of their eldest child, Prince George.
Together, these stacked rings provide a meaningful and stylish touch, representing different aspects of Kate’s life—her marriage, her motherhood, and now her personal journey through illness and recovery.
Kate’s decision to leave her sapphire engagement ring at home, at least for these casual videos, allows her to wear something more understated but still deeply symbolic. The sapphire ring, as grand as it is, doesn’t always suit every occasion, particularly in relaxed or intimate settings. The eternity band, however, is delicate and personal, fitting seamlessly into these moments while still maintaining a level of elegance befitting her royal status.
The absence of the sapphire engagement ring has, of course, sparked much conversation. The ring itself carries immense historical and sentimental value, having originally belonged to Princess Diana. When Prince William proposed to Kate in 2010, he chose this ring specifically to keep his mother’s memory close to their family.
Since then, it has been a public symbol of their relationship and a nod to Princess Diana’s enduring legacy. However, its grand size and significance make it a more formal piece, typically reserved for royal appearances and events.
The eternity ring, in contrast, seems to be a more practical and personal addition to Kate’s jewelry collection. Eternity bands are often given to mark significant milestones, such as anniversaries or the birth of a child, making them a popular choice for many women, including royals. With Kate’s close connection to her children, it’s reasonable to assume that this ring carries sentimental value tied to her role as a mother.
As the princess continues her recovery from illness, she is expected to resume more royal duties in the fall. Fans and royal watchers alike are eager to see more of her jewelry collection in upcoming events. Kate has always been known for her elegant yet approachable style, and her jewelry choices often reflect this balance.
Whether she’s wearing a grand, historically significant piece like the sapphire ring or a modern, meaningful eternity band, each item she selects carries both beauty and personal significance.
In the meantime, the eternity band will likely continue to make appearances in her more relaxed, personal moments, while the sapphire ring will return for grander, formal events. Both pieces, in their own way, symbolize different aspects of Kate’s life—the public and the private, the grand and the intimate—fitting seamlessly into her role as a modern royal and mother.
