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Trouble in Paradise? Kate Middleton Ditches Her Engagement Ring That Once Belonged to Diana

When Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton in 2010, he did so with a deeply sentimental piece of jewelry: his late mother Princess Diana's sapphire ring. The stunning engagement ring was part of Diana's collection, inherited by William and Prince Harry after her passing in 1997. While the ring holds an emotional value for William, it appears that Middleton has chosen not to wear it. The Princess of Wales has reportedly ditched the priceless heirloom, swapping it for her eternity rings. 

Jewelry expert Ella Citron-Thompkins argued that Middleton may have stopped wearing Diana's ring for 'comfort or practicality.' She told the Daily Express, "The Princess of Wales may have chosen to wear the eternity brands to represent her relationship with Prince William surpassing several major milestones like anniversaries or births or as a show of love and commitment." She added that Middleton's decision to skip the engagement ring is "a subtle nod to the public by Kate and Will that they are in love more than ever." The expert noted that her reason for leaving the ring at home may also be for cleaning or resizing. In such cases, she suggested, Middleton opts for her eternity rings to possibly avoid stirring speculation about her marriage.

Citron-Thompskins reasoned that it could also be to "keep it safe at home." The expert explained the key differences between engagement and eternity rings. She said, "The eternity rings look to be a more subtle and understated band compared to her sizable engagement ring. The style of the rings seems to be gold composed with small gemstones, which are either garnets or sapphires." As per the Daily Mail, her eternity ring stack is estimated to be worth around $13,500. It includes a sapphire and diamond band (estimated at approximately $6,000), a white diamond band (estimated at approximately $1,000), a diamond eternity ring (estimated at approximately $2,000), and a Welsh gold wedding band (estimated at approximately $3,000).

Meanwhile, jewelry expert Steven Stone opined that Middleton's eternity rings not only pay a nod to William but also are a tribute to her family. He said, "The rings showcase her affinity for classic, timeless pieces that reflect her role as both a mother and wife." He added, "They’ve been carefully chosen to be meaningful rather than overtly luxurious, which aligns with her image of grace and modesty." A source also told the publication, "Though her engagement ring has been seen less frequently, her continued display of commitment to Prince William through her eternity rings speaks to her desire for personal and understated expressions of love." 

As for Middleton's iconic engagement ring, it features a 12-carat oval blue Ceylon sapphire wrapped by 14 solitaire diamonds. Crafted by Garrard, the design was inspired by an 1840 sapphire-and‑diamond brooch commissioned for Queen Victoria by Prince Albert. The 14-karat diamonds are set in a sparkling halo of 18-karat white gold. Middleton later had platinum beads added inside the band for a snug fit.