here's arguably no engagement ring as famous as that given to Kate Middleton by Prince William. The 12-carat oval-cut Ceylon sapphire carries hugely sentimental value to the royal family; it previously belonged to Princess Diana, before being inherited by Prince William.
As spectacular as Kate's engagement ring is, its sheer size and brilliance doesn't make it the most practical piece to wear, so understandably, it's not one that the royal opts to showcase every day. Often, the Princess of Wales will wear a varying combination of her eternity rings in its place, but this past week, the mother-of-three was seen styling her engagement ring in a brand new way.
While attending the Wimbledon finals over the weekend, the Princess of Wales slipped her engagement ring on top of a triple stack of eternity rings, demonstrating a sweet symbol of unity.
Each of Kate's eternity rings is believed to carry its own sentimental meaning. The white-gold pavé-set band, encrusted with diamonds, was a touching gift from Prince William following the birth of their first son, Prince George. The second, Kate's subtle gold wedding ring, was nestled next to her most recent addition: a sparkling sapphire and diamond eternity band, which features 19 of each gemstone in alternating order.
The eye-catching ring first appeared on Kate's finger last year following her return to royal duties after her chemotherapy treatment for cancer. While the reason behind the ring hasn't been confirmed — there's speculation it was a gift from William for their 13th wedding anniversary — it's a piece she's rarely been seen without in the year since she first wore it, inferring that the piece carries its own special meaning.
It's also emblematic that the Princess of Wales has chosen to wear all four of her rings to an event which she holds close to her heart — Kate has served as a patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club since 2016 — and one of the few royal engagements she has been able to attend with her family this year as she faces the challenges of remission.
Kate's influence on jewellery trends, from her famous engagement ring to her favourite affordable earrings, is undeniable — and we're betting it won't be long before we see statement ring stacking return to the fore.