Princess Catherine is showing the nation that her recovery from cancer is going well and that she’s feeling more confident about returning to work. In a positive sign of her progress after completing chemotherapy, she made her first public appearance of the year. But one question has been on royal fans' minds: where is the Princess of Wales' engagement ring?
For weeks, speculation has surrounded the absence of her iconic sapphire engagement ring, which once belonged to Diana, Princess of Wales. During her latest outing, Catherine once again fueled curiosity by wearing a collection of sparkling jewelry — none of which included the famous sapphire. The mystery deepens: Is her missing ring an accidental slip-up or a subtle message?
The story behind the ring is well-known. Diana selected the 12-carat sapphire and diamond sparkler from a tray of options offered by royal jeweler Garrard. Although it’s considered the most iconic engagement ring in the world, Diana reportedly didn’t even like it. Since 2010, the ring has been worn by Catherine, passed down when Prince William proposed. At the time, he wanted to lock down what he described as "the greatest thing to ever happen to the royal family." Yet today, the priceless piece has not been seen for months. Could this be a practical decision, or is Catherine finally stepping out from the long shadow cast by the ring's original owner?
On Thursday afternoon, Catherine paired her Welsh gold wedding ring with her Anoushka eternity band, likely a gift from William following Prince George's birth. These rings regularly appear on her left hand, but they were joined by two newer additions: the sapphire and diamond eternity band she debuted in August to congratulate Team GB, and a new eternity ring. None of these choices explain the missing engagement ring, though. Why has Catherine stopped wearing one of the world’s most famous symbols of royal matrimony?
While it’s unclear where the new ring came from, some have speculated that her eternity band could be a more practical, everyday alternative to the iconic engagement ring. This could make sense, as it features the same precious stones. Catherine has rarely been seen without the sapphire since her 13-year marriage began, except during hospital visits for health and safety reasons. Its disappearance first became noticeable in March, in a photo released to mark Mother's Day, sparking a wave of speculation. Just a week later, Catherine revealed that she had been diagnosed with cancer during abdominal surgery, further fueling curiosity about the ring’s absence.
Conspiracy theories quickly spread, with some suggesting there was something more to the story than a simple health-related choice. In June, during the Trooping the Colour event, Catherine’s engagement ring reappeared, much to the relief of onlookers. The ring remained firmly in place the following month at Wimbledon. However, in August, during a video to celebrate the Olympics, the ring was once again missing. By September, when Catherine appeared in a video announcing the end of her chemotherapy, the sapphire was still absent.
This week, during her appearance in Southport, the ring remained missing. On a day carefully calculated to signal her return to royal duties, Catherine’s decision not to wear the ring stood out. Her focus was clearly on duty and service, not on making a statement with her jewelry. It was a somber day when she joined Prince William in Southport at the last minute, showing support, empathy, and compassion for the local community following a horrific knife attack in July. Her appearance was reminiscent of her other royal engagements — poised, composed, and focused on paying her respects.
It’s a hugely positive sign that the Princess of Wales is starting to regain her strength after an incredibly difficult few months. Clearly determined to return to some sense of normalcy, her work remains a key part of her recovery journey.
