Royal fans spot subtle differences in Kate Middleton’s Festival of Remembrance outfit – as she wears her beloved ring in public for the first time in months
The Princess of Wales wore Princess Diana’s engagement ring in public for the first time in months during the Festival of Remembrance in the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday evening.
At recent appearances, Kate, 42, has worn a stunning gold ‘eternity’ band, believed to be a gift from the Prince of Wales and set with diamonds and sapphires, in place of her late mother-in-law’s jewellery.
But for her most striking appearance since undergoing cancer treatment, the royal opted to wear Prince William’s mother’s ring, which features a 12-carat Ceylon sapphire surrounded by a cluster of 14 solitaire diamonds set in white gold.
The mother of threewho stepped back into the public eye this weekend to honor lost servicemen and women, wore a stylish midi-length black dress with a deep V-neck collar as she arrived at the Kensington venue with her husband.
A beaming Kate, who wore her shoulder-length hair down, also wore a pair of large pearl and diamond earrings that once belonged to Diana.
The Princess of Wales wore Princess Diana’s engagement ring during the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday evening
Royal fans raved about Kate’s decision to wear her engagement ring again, with one person writing on X: “The hair, the make-up, the iconic ring, the outfit, welcome back my favorite princess.”
Another said: ‘Love seeing the Princess of Wales and her beautiful engagement ring.’
A third excited person added: ‘The Princes of Wales look beautiful tonight! And the ring is back!’
Princess Diana’s ring was designed by Crown Jeweler Garrard and inspired by the sapphire and diamond brooch made for Prince Albert in 1840, which he then gave to Queen Victoria as a wedding gift and she wore it as her ‘something blue’. .
At the time it was referred to as the ‘common sapphire’ because the ring was available in Garrard’s catalogue, meaning anyone could have bought it for £47,000.
But Princess Diana loved her engagement ring so much that she continued to wear it after her divorce from Prince Charles in 1996 – and it seems the Princess of Wales loves it just as much.
Meanwhile, Princess Diana received her beautiful earrings from Collingwood Jewelers in London as a wedding gift ahead of her wedding to Charles in 1981.
Princess Diana wore the pair on her wedding day as part of her farewell outfit.
At recent appearances, Kate, 42, has worn a stunning gold ‘eternity’ band, believed to be a gift from the Prince of Wales and set with diamonds and sapphires, in place of her late mother-in-law’s jewellery.
But for her most striking appearance since undergoing cancer treatment, the royal opted to wear Prince William’s mother’s ring, which boasts a 12-carat Ceylon sapphire surrounded by a cluster of 14 solitaire diamonds set in white gold.
Reaction: Royal fans were thrilled with Kate’s decision to wear her engagement ring again
On Saturday, Kate’s gold winged brooch also saw her pay tribute to her own side of the family.
Last year the royal was appointed Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm, Colonel-in-Chief of the 1 Queen’s Dragoon Guards and Royal Honorary Air Commodore of the Royal Air Force Coningsby.
Kate’s paternal grandfather, Peter Middleton, served as a fighter pilot during World War II.
Captain Middleton died at the age of 90, just days before the prince and princess announced their engagement in 2010.
Footage taken outside the venue showed the Princess of Wales stepping out of the royal car as Prince William repeatedly put his arm behind her in a show of support.
At last year’s event, Kate wore a pearl necklace and matching earrings that belonged to Queen Elizabeth II, alongside a brooch from the 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards, for which she was appointed colonel-in-chief last August.
Kate became the oldest female Royal to attend on Saturday after Buckingham Palace confirmed the Queen – who is unwell with a respiratory infection – would not attend the event, nor the Remembrance Day service at the Cenotaph on Sunday.
A Palace spokesperson said that while her decision not to attend is “a source of great disappointment to the Queen, she will celebrate the occasion privately at home.”
Kate’s ring was originally owned by William’s late mother, Princess Diana, and cost £28,500 in 1981
Kate also wore Diana’s engagement ring, which features an oval 12-carat Ceylon sapphire surrounded by a cluster of 14 solitaire diamonds set in white gold
The Duke of Kent, seen behind King Charles III, and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, standing behind Princess Anne, were also spotted in the Royal Box
Kate clapped enthusiastically next to husband Prince William, while the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester stood behind them
Always trendy, Kate wore a midi-length black dress with a deep V-neck collar, accessorized with a stylish black clutch
His Majesty, who became patron of the Royal British Legion earlier this year, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, and Princess Anne arrived at the central London venue earlier on Saturday.
The Duke of Kent, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucestershire and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence sat in the royal box as those who risked their lives for King and Country were celebrated.
Once the event got underway, the King received a standing ovation as he took his seat, accompanied by a royal brass band from the State Trumpeters of the Household Department.
Led by Adrian Lester, several British music icons took to the stage to honor the military, including Sir Tom Jones, Alexandra Burke, Jack Savoretti and many more.
