Kate's Wedding Bands: A Closer Look

Princess Kate does have a wedding band, but she was not wearing it in a photo released for Mother's Day in 2024. The photo, taken by her husband, Prince William, shows Kate with her three children. In the picture, Kate is dressed casually, wearing jeans, boots, a sweater, and a jacket, and is notably not wearing any jewellery, including her wedding band and engagement ring. This sparked speculation about the state of her marriage, with some close to the couple expressing confusion about her decision to release a photo without her wedding band. However, it is common for Kate to remove her rings during physical activities and hospital visits, and she may have also needed to take them off before her abdominal surgery in January.

Princess Kate's wedding band is made from Welsh gold

Clarence House has been tight-lipped about the precise source of the Welsh gold for Kate's wedding band. In a statement, the palace announced that the wedding ring "will be made of Welsh gold" and that "there are no further details on which mine the gold was mined from." The gold used for Kate's ring was given to Prince William by the Queen shortly after the couple's engagement and had been in the family's possession for several years.

The Welsh gold wedding band tradition dates back to the marriage of Prince William's great-grandparents, Elizabeth Bowes Lyon and the future George VI. The simple gold band complements Princess Kate's bold engagement ring, almost hidden under the lustrous sapphire as a private token of their love and commitment. The Duchess of Cambridge's wedding ring was handcrafted by royal jewellers Wartski, who finely polished and gently rounded the rare pure Welsh gold for a comfortable fit.

Princess Kate's Welsh gold wedding band is a beautiful symbol of her commitment to Prince William and a tribute to the long-standing traditions of the royal family.

She also wears an eternity ring, gifted by Prince William

Princess Kate's eternity ring is a diamond band, crafted from brilliant-cut micro pavé white diamonds. The ring is thought to be the Eclipse Diamond Eternity Ring from Annoushka's Eclipse collection. It is available with a variety of diamonds and other stones and is priced at £820, or roughly $1400.

Princess Kate has been wearing the eternity ring on and off since the early days of her courtship with Prince William. The ring is rumoured to have been purchased by Prince William himself. It is made from garnets, which are Princess Kate's birthstone, and pearls, which are Prince William's birthstone.

The eternity ring is one of many pieces of jewellery given to Princess Kate by Prince William. Others include her engagement ring, which once belonged to Princess Diana, and a pair of sapphire and diamond earrings, which also belonged to Princess Diana.

Kate's engagement ring is an heirloom from Princess Diana

Kate Middleton's engagement ring is a stunning 12-carat oval Ceylon sapphire surrounded by 14 solitaire diamonds, created by British jeweller Garrard. This ring holds immense sentimental value as it was previously owned by Princess Diana, who first revealed the ring to the world on her engagement to Prince Charles. The ring's history and allure are deeply rooted in its association with Princess Diana, making it one of the most famous pieces of jewellery in modern times.

The choice of a sapphire engagement ring for Princess Diana was inspired by Queen Victoria's beloved sapphire-and-diamond brooch, which was also crafted by Garrard. In 1840, Prince Albert commissioned this exquisite brooch for his future wife, Queen Victoria, who cherished it deeply and wore it on her wedding day as her "something blue." Queen Victoria designated the brooch as a Crown heirloom in her will, ensuring its place in the royal collection.

The sapphire cluster ring that captured the hearts of many when Princess Diana wore it, later became a symbol of love and commitment for Kate Middleton. Upon Princess Diana's passing, her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, each chose two of her possessions as keepsakes. It is said that Prince Harry selected her sapphire engagement ring, but when he recognised the depth of his brother's love for Kate, he selflessly gave the heirloom to Prince William.

The engagement ring that once adorned Princess Diana's finger now holds immense significance for Kate Middleton. The ring's history, stretching back to the 19th century, and its connection to Princess Diana, make it a cherished heirloom within the royal family. The deep, royal blue hue of the sapphire and the surrounding halo of diamonds create a distinctive and gorgeous style that continues to inspire countless brides worldwide.

Kate Middleton's engagement ring is not just a symbol of her love and commitment to Prince William but also a tribute to her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana. The ring's journey from Queen Victoria to Princess Diana and now to Kate Middleton showcases the enduring allure of sapphires within the royal family and their special place in history.

She often removes her engagement ring during physical activities

Princess Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, is rarely seen without her iconic engagement ring, which once belonged to the late Princess Diana. The ring is a 12-carat, oval Ceylon blue sapphire, surrounded by a halo of 14 diamonds and set in 18-karat white gold. It is valued at over £300,000 today. However, there have been a few instances where she has chosen to remove her engagement ring, particularly during physical activities or sports.

For instance, in 2022, Princess Kate took part in a sailing race with Team Great Britain and was notably not wearing her engagement ring during the event. This is not the first time she has opted to leave her ring behind when engaging in physical activities. The Princess is known to prioritise her health and safety, as well as that of others, when participating in sports or visiting medical facilities. For example, when visiting hospitals, such as the Evelina London Children's Hospital, Princess Kate removes her ring to uphold health and safety standards and avoid any potential hygiene hazards.

The maintenance and upkeep of the heirloom ring also play a role in her decision to occasionally forgo wearing it. Ben Roberts, the managing director of Clogau, the company that provides the Welsh gold often used in British royals' engagement rings, revealed that wearing an heirloom like Princess Kate's ring requires constant care and attention. Roberts explained that "Kate and her team will need to employ careful maintenance with regular inspections and in-depth evaluations, gentle cleaning to restore sheen, and if necessary, expert repairs to ensure its longevity." Therefore, it is understandable that she may choose to leave the ring behind during physical activities to ensure its preservation and avoid any potential damage.

Furthermore, Princess Kate's decision to remove her ring during physical activities could also be influenced by her comfort and practicality. An engagement ring, especially one of such value and size, could potentially hinder her performance or cause discomfort during physical endeavours. By removing the ring, she ensures that she can fully focus on the task at hand without any distractions or restrictions. This practical approach demonstrates her commitment to excellence in all her endeavours, whether they are official royal duties or recreational activities.

In conclusion, while Princess Kate is often seen wearing her stunning engagement ring, there are times when she chooses to remove it, especially during physical activities. Her decision to do so is likely influenced by a combination of factors, including health and safety considerations, ring maintenance, and personal comfort. By prioritising these aspects, Princess Kate ensures that she can fully immerse herself in the activities she participates in while also preserving the legacy of her beloved engagement ring.

Kate's abdominal surgery may have caused swelling, preventing her from wearing her wedding band

Princess Kate Middleton's abdominal surgery may have caused swelling, preventing her from wearing her wedding band. The Princess of Wales underwent a "planned abdominal procedure" at The London Clinic in January 2024. Although the surgery was initially understood to be non-cancerous, subsequent tests revealed that cancer was present. As a result, Princess Kate began a course of preventative chemotherapy.

The Princess of Wales has been absent from public duties since her surgery, and there has been much speculation about her health and whereabouts. In a photo released for Mother's Day in March 2024, Princess Kate was not wearing her wedding band, which sparked further speculation and rumours of issues in her marriage to Prince William. However, it is common practice for patients to remove jewellery before surgery, and swelling during recovery could have prevented her from wearing her ring.

In addition to health-related reasons, Princess Kate may have refrained from wearing her wedding band due to safety concerns. She has a history of removing her jewellery during physical activities and when visiting hospitals to comply with health and safety regulations. The absence of her wedding band in the Mother's Day photo could also be attributed to a preference for a low-key look or experimentation with photography editing techniques.

While the swelling from the surgery may have contributed to her decision, Princess Kate's focus on her recovery and privacy during this time is understandable.

Frequently asked questions