Kate Middleton Expands Five-Ring Wedding Stack with Diamond-and-Sapphire Eternity Band
Princess of Wales blends Diana-era heirloom with newer pieces during Wales visit, signaling a modern, personal approach to royal jewelry
The Princess of Wales wore five rings on her wedding finger during a visit to schoolchildren in Wales, a striking display that underscored her habit of stacking jewelry with personal meaning. Central to the stack is the late Princess Diana’s 12-carat sapphire engagement ring, historically paired with a band of Welsh gold, a combination Middleton has worn for most of the past 15 years.
The newest addition is a diamond-and-sapphire eternity band from royal jewelers G. Collins & Sons, first spotted over the summer and now part of Middleton’s ongoing sparkling stack. Two other rings round out the set: an Annoushka diamond eternity ring believed to have been a gift from Prince William after the birth of Prince George, and a simple platinum band that appears to feature small diamonds. Last week, Middleton wore all five rings — including her sapphire engagement ring — to the Duchess of Kent’s funeral.
The five-ring arrangement features a mix of metals, with pieces seen in both silver- and gold-toned hues. Observers say the blend is unusual for a royal lot but reflects a modern sensibility. The stacking has been described in some outlets as a quiet evolution in royal jewelry, signaling a shift toward personal symbolism over formal adherence to tradition.
Among Middleton’s recent outings, the wedding-ring ensemble has drawn particular attention as the princess balances sentimentality with practical messaging. The sapphire-and-diamond eternity band is thought to commemorate the completion of her chemotherapy treatment last year, a personal milestone that has been acknowledged in royal-media coverage. The ring’s placement alongside the engagement ring points to a broader narrative: one of continuity, resilience, and personal meaning threaded through a public role.
Stylistically, the stack’s two-toned look is notable for its modern edge. It sits alongside other recent accessories that emphasize family and memory, such as a gold necklace adorned with her children’s initials worn on a visit to a family-run weaving mill in Suffolk. The juxtaposition of heirloom pieces with contemporary designs mirrors Middleton’s public persona: rooted in legacy but unafraid to adapt for the moment.
At Wimbledon this summer, Middleton pared back to four rings, though she did add a Cartier Bleu timepiece — a 2014 anniversary gift from Prince William — to complete the look. That moment underscored a broader pattern: she exercises jewelry as a form of communication, choosing pieces that align with the setting and the message she wishes to convey about a given event.
Some commentators have described the five-ring stack as emblematic of a broader royal shift toward personal symbolism in jewelry. The Daily Mail, for example, highlighted the change as a quiet evolution in royal jewelry that leans toward modern, personal meanings rather than strict formality. In Middleton’s hands, rings become a storytelling device rather than mere ornament, a habit that aligns with her longstanding preference for sentimental, practical pieces.
The narrative around her jewelry also reflects strategic choices about visibility and focus. When Diana’s sapphire ring remains a familiar anchor, Middleton’s inclusion of other pieces can reframe attention toward the occasion itself — from commemorations to everyday engagements with communities. In this light, the five-ring stack serves as a visual meditation on memory, family, and public service, rather than simply a display of luxury.
As the Princess of Wales continues to balance royal tradition with personal symbolism, her evolving jewelry story offers a glimpse into how public figures curate meaning through adornment. The combination of a storied heirloom, a fresh eternity band, and carefully chosen supporting pieces suggests a deliberate, ongoing conversation with history, family, and the moments she shares with the public.
In sum, Middleton’s approach to her five-ring stack — blending Diana-era significance with contemporary pieces and personal symbolism — continues to captivate observers and encapsulates a modern royal jewelry narrative that remains deeply human and attentively observed. The princess’s ability to speak volumes without words — through the careful curation of color, metal, and meaning — remains a hallmark of her public persona.