Princess Kate has quietly shifted from wearing her iconic £300,000 sapphire engagement ring to a more practical stack of eternity rings worth approximately £10,000.
This change has been noticed at several recent public appearances, marking a notable departure from the famous heirloom that once belonged to Princess Diana.
The 12-carat oval Ceylon sapphire, encircled by 14 solitaire diamonds, has become increasingly absent from Kate's hand during informal outings and active engagements.
In its place, she has adopted a collection of four meaningful rings that reflect a more understated approach to royal jewellery.
Princess Kate has quietly shifted from wearing her iconic £300,000 sapphire engagement ring to a more practical stack of eternity rings worth approximately £10,000.
Getty
This transition represents both practical considerations and a personal evolution in how the Princess expresses her style and family commitments through her jewellery choices.
Prince William proposed to Kate in 2011 with the dazzling heirloom originally purchased by Prince Charles for Princess Diana in 1981 for £28,000.
The ring, designed by London jeweller Garrard, is now valued at over £300,000. The Princess has valid reasons for choosing not to wear such a valuable and delicate piece regularly.
Comfort and practicality are key factors, particularly during active engagements like her recent appearance in a Scouts promotional video.
The 12-carat oval Ceylon sapphire, encircled by 14 solitaire diamonds, has become increasingly absent from Kate's hand during informal outings and active engagements.
Getty
Kate has also been known to remove her engagement ring during hospital visits, likely due to health and safety protocols. The ring's significant value and delicate design make it understandable that she would opt for alternatives during informal outings.
Kate's new stack comprises four carefully chosen pieces, each with its own significance.
The most valuable is a Cartier 'Étincelle' band featuring 19 brilliant-cut diamonds and 19 matching sapphires, estimated at £4,700 and believed to be a thirteenth wedding anniversary gift from William.
A slim white diamond band worth approximately £1,000 adds understated elegance to the collection. Maxwell Stone notes that the delicate design is "a thoughtfully chosen piece, complementing her other rings while maintaining a refined simplicity."
Her diamond eternity ring, valued at £1,500, was gifted by William following Prince George's birth. From Annoushka's Eclipse collection, it features 0.23 carats of diamonds in 18-carat white gold.
Kate's new stack comprises four carefully chosen pieces, each with its own significance.
Getty
Completing the stack is her Welsh yellow gold wedding band, estimated at £2,300, continuing a royal tradition shared by the Queen Mother and Queen Elizabeth II.
Maxwell Stone told MailOnline: "Kate's choice of rings suggests that she values subtlety and meaning over grandeur, while still maintaining an air of elegance and sophistication."
He added: "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."
The rings showcase her preference for classic, timeless pieces that reflect her dual role as mother and wife.
Stone observed that "they've been carefully chosen to be meaningful rather than overtly luxurious, which aligns with her image of grace, modesty and a strong connection to family."