Kate Middleton Trades Princess Diana's Engagement Ring for 'Sparkling' New Eternity Band in Latest Video

Mar. 15, 2025

(Left) Kate Middleton and Prince George in a video issued on Sept. 9, 2024; (Right) A close view of Kate Middleton’s hand in the video issued on Sept. 9, 2024.Photo:The Prince and Princess of Wales/YouTube (2)

A Message from Catherine, The Princess of Wales | September 2024

The Prince and Princess of Wales/YouTube (2)

Kate Middletonwore what appears to be anew eternity bandagain in a video announcing she hascompleted chemotherapy treatment.

“The ring that Kate wore is definitely a newer addition to her jewelry box. It’s a slim, sparkling eternity-style band with alternating light and dark gemstones,” Lauren Kiehna, founder ofThe Court Jewellerblog, tells PEOPLE. Kate was first spotted wearing the ring in an Aug. 11 video in which she and William congratulated Great Britain on their success at the 2024Paris Olympics.

Princess Charlotte and Kate Middleton in the video issued on Sept. 9, 2024.The Prince and Princess of Wales/YouTube

Kate Middleton and Princess Charlotte

The Prince and Princess of Wales/YouTube

The Princess of Wales styled the eternity band the same way across both the August and September videos, stacking it with what looks like herWelsh gold wedding bandand the white gold and diamondAnnoushka ringshe started wearing shortly after the birth of their first child, Prince George, in 2013, widely believed to be a gift from Prince William.

“Many of these eternity bands reflect family relationships. Given that her children’s birthstones are rubies, emeralds and diamonds, it wouldn’t surprise me if the gems set in the new ring are linked to George, Charlotte and Louis,” Kiehna says about what the accessory’s deeper meaning may be.

Missing in both instances was her18-carat sapphire engagement ringthat previously belonged toPrincess Diana, which William proposed with in 2010 to keep his late mother “close to it all.” Giving context around why Princess Kate may have removed her megawatt engagement ring, Kiehna notes that “royal women wear their engagement rings in different ways, just like the rest of us.”

Princess Diana; Kate Middleton in 2011.Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images; Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Diana, Princess of Wales' engagement ring, wedding ring; Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge presents medals to members of the Irish Guards at the Victoria Barracks

“Some, likeQueen Elizabeth, wear their engagement rings daily for their entire lives. Others, like Queen Mathilde and Queen Mary, switch out their engagement rings for other rings on a regular basis. And some, like Queen Letizia, haven’t been spotted wearing their engagement rings for years,” she says.

“The two videos showing Kate wearing the new eternity band were both filmed in casual, private moments. It wouldn’t surprise me if she sometimes chooses not to wear her most important jewels in those kinds of settings, reserving her grander engagement ring for more public occasions,” the writer and historian speculates.

Prince Louis, Prince William, Kate Middleton, Princess Charlotte and Prince George in a video issued on Sept. 9, 2024.Will Warr

A MESSAGE FROM CATHERINE, THE PRINCESS OF WALES

Will Warr

Some wondered if the eternity band Kate debuted in the Aug. 11 video was the same piece of jewelry as the “promise ring” she reportedly received from Prince William while they were dating, but a closer look shows it is clearly not.

The new ring in her jewelry box features larger gems on a bigger band, while the sentimental memento said to be from William has only a few stones.

(Left) Kate Middleton and Prince William in a video issued on Aug. 11, 2024; (Right) Kate Middleton on her graduation day from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland on June 23, 2005.The Prince and Princess of Wales/Instagram; Indigo/Getty

Kate Middleton and Prince William in a surprise video message; Kate Middleton attends her graduation ceremony at the University of St. Andrews

The Prince and Princess of Wales/Instagram; Indigo/Getty

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Fan blogDress Like a Duchesspreviously reported that Prince William gave Kate a rose gold ring with her birthstone, garnets and his June birthstone, pearls, during their courtship. The future princess slipped it on for graduation from the University of St. Andrews in 2005 and has been photographed in it rarely since.

source: people.com