The Princess of Wales stunned onlookers this week with a spectacular five-ring stack, including a priceless piece that previously belonged to the late Princess Diana
A flying visit to Northern Ireland this week saw the Princess of Wales begging to be allowed to drive a fire engine through the streets of Belfast “at full speed” with flashing lights and wailing siren.
But while Kate Middleton’s request was politely refused, she managed to attract the attention of onlookers in a more subtle way by flashing a piece of jewellery worth more than most people’s houses.
The princess is renowned for her cost-effective wardrobe, and she kept to that tradition for her Belfast trip with a bespoke green Alexander McQueen coat she first wore back in 2020.
But she dressed the Sarah Burton creation up with a stunning five-ring stack incorporating both her wedding and engagement rings.
The full stack, which experts have valued to be worth at least $527k (around £393,000) includes the famous 12-carat sapphire engagement ring that previously belonged to the late Princess Diana.
Other elements of the remarkable ring stack are Kate’s Welsh gold wedding ring, two eternity rings given by her husband Prince William, and a fifth – as yet unidentified – ring apparently made of platinum.
Both of Kate’s eternity bands were reportedly created by society jewellers G. Collins & Sons.
Angie Kennedy, vice president of merchandising for luxury jewellery brand Zalles, told Elle Magazine that the Kate’s engagement ring alone is priceless due to its historical value: “When Diana selected this ring herself back in 1981, she broke royal tradition-it wasn’t custom-made but chosen from a jeweller’s catalogue.
“That choice was very forward-thinking and in line with what we see brides doing today: picking a ring that reflects their personal taste. The bold Ceylon sapphire centre stone, paired with a halo of diamonds, made coloured gemstones and halo styles highly desirable.”
The ring was bought from royal jewellers Garrard & Co., who today sell similar items for between £14,000 and £21,000. However Angie Kennedy puts the value of Kate’s ring far higher than that.
“Experts estimate the diamonds together weigh about six carats, with each stone close to half a carat,” she said, estimating its value at somewhere around $500,000 (£375k)., “Of course, its history and royal connection make Kate’s specific ring truly priceless.”
The value of Kate’s engagement ring dwarfs that of its companion eternity rings, which would likely retail for between £3750 and £11,000 apiece.
When she appeared at Wimbledon during 2025, the princess was only wearing four of the rings, and she had been known to leave her bulky engagement ring at home for some occasions, too.
Royal-watcher Christine Ross, co-host of The Royal Dress Code podcast, told Town and Country Magazine that Princess Catherine seems to be taking a less formal approach to her wardrobe since last year’s health scare. “While she may have scrutinised and analysed every fashion decision in the past, one could assume that she is funnelling less energy into minute details and more energy into how she feels day to day.
“Some days she feels like wearing a more relaxed stack of rings, and other days she dons the iconic and historic sapphire engagement ring.”
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