The Princess of Wales's engagement ring is one of the most famous pieces of jewellery in the world, which makes it even more noticeable when the senior royal swaps it for something else.
In yesterday's video released to mark the end of her chemotherapy and her gradual return to public duties, Kate Middleton looked relaxed and happy as she and her family wandered through woodland around the family estate, Anmer Hall, in footage that is probably the most off-duty we've seen the couple since their days at the University of St Andrews. It makes sense, then, that she chose to wear the eternity ring that was reportedly a gift from her future husband when they were students in Scotland.
She was also wearing the ring when she appeared as part of video message to personally congratulate Team GB. And it was this appearance that first prompted fans to notice the fact that her wedding finger was occupied by a different ring, a gold band set with alternating garnets and pearls.
The ring belongs to quite the collection, including that engagement ring: the 12-carat sapphire that was famously first given to Princess Diana, Middleton's late mother-in-law, upon her engagement to Prince Charles (as he was then). Created by Garrard & Co back in 1981, it is thought to have cost around £28,000, and was initially referred to in the press as the 'commoner's sapphire,' a barbed reference to the fact that the ring was not a bespoke design.
The sapphire ring is one of a trio that she typically wears day to day, along with her wedding band wrought from a special nugget of Welsh gold. As for the other pieces stashed in her jewellery box? From the gifts she received from Prince William, way back in the early days of their relationship, to the citrine gem that made an unexpected reappearance at the wedding of her brother-in-law Prince Harry, these appear to be her favourites...
SEE: Kate Middleton's Rings
1 of 7The sapphire engagement ring
The most recognisable piece in Kate Middleton's enviable jewellery collection has to be her engagement ring, which famously belonged to her late mother-in-law Diana, Princess of Wales. The Prince of Wales proposed with the 12-carat sapphire ring set in 18-carat gold, encrusted with 14 solitaire diamonds, on a trip to Kenya, and later revealed that he carried the valuable heirloom around in a rucksack for three weeks beforehand. 'Obviously, [Diana]'s not going to be around to share in any of the fun and excitement of it all, so this is my way of keeping her close,' he explained after the engagement was announced.
2 of 7The citrine ring
Middleton's yellow citrine ring caught our attention at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding. Though it appeared to be a new addition to her collection, with many outlets speculating that the piece was a 'push present' following the birth of Prince Louis in April, it also bears more than a slight a resemblance to a similar style which the royal was last pictured wearing in 2009. Given Middleton's fondness for recycling older pieces from her wardrobe, it makes sense that she'd adopt a similar approach with her jewellery box.
3 of 7The rose gold band
Prince William gave his then-girlfriend this understated Victorian rose-gold band while they were studying at the University of St Andrews, and she was photographed wearing it at her graduation ceremony in the summer of 2005. Thought to be the first piece of jewellery she received from her future husband, it carries a special significance, set with pearls (Prince William's birthstone) and garnets (Middleton's). Until the video message to Team GB, the royal hadn't been spotted wearing it since her engagement announcement.
4 of 7The gold wedding ring
In keeping with royal tradition dating back nearly a century, Middleton's wedding ring was crafted from a chunk of Welsh gold by Mayfair-based jewellers Wartski, which was given to the Prince of Wales by his late grandmother following the announcement of his engagement.
5 of 7The white gold and diamond eternity ring
Eagle-eyed royal fans might have noticed that Middleton typically layers not one but three rings on her wedding finger. In addition to the gold band and her engagement sapphire, the Princess of Wales now wears an eternity ring, specifically the Eclipse diamond eternity ring, made from 18-carat white gold, by Annoushka. It's thought that the band was a gift from her husband, marking the birth of their first child Prince George.
6 of 7The ruby ring
The Princess of Wales gave this striking ruby ring its first outing when she touched down in Warsaw as part of the royal tour of Poland. She paired it with a white peplum coat from go-to brand Alexander McQueen and matching ruby pendant and earrings, echoing the colours of the Polish flag. As yet, the ring has not been attributed to a specific jeweller.
7 of 7The bow-shaped ring
Take a (very) close look at this photo, taken at the 100 Women In Hedge Funds Gala back in 2013, and you might notice that Middleton is wearing a different ring on her right hand (as well as her engagement sapphire on the left). Further inspection shows that the piece is an unusual bow shape; it's thought that it might be part of an Art Deco-style jewellery set (also comprising a cluster bracelet and some drop earrings) given to Kate Middleton by her father-in-law as a wedding gift. The Princess of Wales doesn't appear to have given this ring a repeat outing since.