Ever since Kate Middleton was given the engagement ring once owned by Princess Diana, interest in this iconic piece has been revitalized. Initially a constant at nearly every public event since their engagement announcement in November 2010, Kate has now started changing things up.
Kate Middleton Is Seen More Frequently Without Her Engagement Ring
Since resuming her royal duties earlier this year, Kate seems to have embraced a new style for her ring finger during public appearances, occasionally swapping her engagement ring for a different sapphire and diamond band.
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Kate Middleton and Prince William posing for photos after announcing their engagement.
The new sapphire and diamond eternity style ring gained attention when Kate appeared in a video praising Team GB athletes for their performance at the Olympics last August. Speculation arose that the ring was a gift from Prince William, though Kensington Palace did not confirm this.
Initially thought to be a one-time switch, Kate wore the eternity style band again in a personal video marking the end of her chemotherapy last September.
Kate sported her new rings stacked at the Meadow Street Community Garden and Woodland on February 26, 2025.
A close-up of Kate’s new rings stack.
Upon her return to public engagements, she consistently wore this new ring set for various meetings and visits, including interactions with families affected by the Southport bombings, a trip to the Royal Marsden, a visit to the National Portrait Gallery with school children, a prison visit for mothers and babies, and a day out in Pontypridd.
For specific events, she continued to wear her engagement ring, such as commemorative occasions, state visits, Christmas concerts, Holocaust Memorial Day observances, and visits to places like the Tŷ Hasan hospice in Wales.
Kate during a visit to TA Hafan, a children’s hospice in Sully, near Cardiff.
Feeling Matters
‘The princess has taken on a more relaxed approach to fashion, and this could be a result of that shift in perspective,’ noted Christine Ross, royal expert and co-host of The Royal Dress Code podcast, as reported by Town & Country.
‘Previously, every sartorial decision may have been meticulously analyzed, but now she appears to be focusing more on how she feels each day. Some days call for a more casual ring set, while others warrant the iconic and historical sapphire engagement ring.’
