The royal family boasts a stunning collection of jewelry, and we always look forward to seeing what special piece they’ll showcase at each royal engagement. Like a fine wine, some engagement rings only get better with age, and that’s certainly true for Princess Katherine’s exquisite bling. Her engagement ring from Prince William has increased ten-fold in value since it was purchased in 1981 by Prince Charles for his then-fiancée, Princess Diana.
Last Thursday night, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended a reception at Parliament House before returning to England on Friday. This means we’ll soon have to say goodbye to the embarrassment of riches that comes with the princess's outfits, George's adorable facial expressions, and William's awkward jokes.
In a surprising turn, Catherine chose not to wear her usual favorite designers, Jenny Packham or Alexander McQueen. Instead, she opted for a chic white dress by Texas-born designer Leela Rose. She completed her look with a black clutch and matching heels. In a departure from her typical glossy curls, she styled her hair up into a sophisticated chignon.
While Prince Harry could no longer offer his wife the original ring he chose, he selflessly passed on their mother’s ring to William when he proposed to Middleton in 2010. This act of kindness perfectly reflects Diana’s spirit, and it’s Catherine’s quiet confidence as a style icon that makes the ring even more special.
Over the years, Catherine has said little publicly about the ring or Diana. Her first public acknowledgment of becoming the caretaker of Princess Diana’s engagement ring came during her initial extended interview with Prince William on the day their own engagement was announced. The impressive Middleton sparkler ranks among the world’s 20 most famous engagement rings, originally valued at £28,000. The 12-carat sapphire, surrounded by four diamonds, is now worth an estimated £300,000.
The inherited piece has significantly increased in value due to its sentimental importance and is worth three times more than Queen Elizabeth II's engagement ring, which is reportedly valued at £100,000. The princess has shared that the ring is “very, very special,” emphasizing how important it is for Diana to remain a part of her grandchildren’s lives, including Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
Interestingly, the royal mother of three is said to have secretly altered her engagement ring after Prince William proposed with it in Kenya. The Duchess of Cambridge adjusted the ring to prevent it from slipping off her finger.
A brief glimpse of the Prince and Princess of Wales during their summer holiday in Balmoral revealed something noteworthy: Catherine was noticeably without her stunning sapphire and diamond engagement ring. In its place, she wore a promise ring that William had given her while they were students at St. Andrews University in Scotland. This piece is a rose gold Victorian band embellished with garnets and pearls, with garnets being her birthstone and pearls being William's.
While it’s unclear when Catherine acquired her lovely eternity band, some fans speculate it might have been a gift from William to mark their 13th wedding anniversary on April 29th, as this is the first sighting of the piece. Kensington Palace declined to comment on the ring's origin story, but the low-key swap seems to suit the princess's personal style well.
Catherine has famously never been one for the expansive range of jewelry available in the royal vault. The promise ring is much more practical for casual summer days spent chasing after the kids. Moreover, if this is indeed a new gift from Prince William, a promise ring is a thoughtful choice, especially after a challenging year for his wife.
It also has the potential to spark a major trend; after all, eternity rings are both modern and accessible, with options for personalization that prioritize sentimentality. The bottom line is that they are better suited for everyday wear.
