Why Kate Middleton’s sapphire ring still matters. Dates, values and hidden meanings that turn a royal jewel into a living tribute.
One jewel says everything without a word. On Catherine, Princess of Wales, it glints blue and carries a story of love, loss and continuity that still captivates global audiences.
That jewel is the sapphire engagement ring first worn by Diana, Princess of Wales in 1981 and placed on Catherine’s finger when her engagement to Prince William was announced on 16 November 2010. It has become the most symbolic piece in her jewelry box, a quiet signal of legacy each time it catches the light.
Kate Middleton’s Sapphire Engagement Ring: History and meaning
Chosen by Diana from Garrard’s catalog in 1981, the ring features an oval Ceylon sapphire surrounded by a halo of diamonds. Its fame is not only about design. It links two generations of Princesses of Wales and a public memory that began with a fairytale wedding and was reshaped by grief in 1997.
When Prince William proposed in Kenya in October 2010, he used the same ring. In their engagement interview, he said: “It was my way of making sure my mother didn’t miss out on today and the excitement and the fact that we’re going to spend the rest of our lives together.” That single sentence instantly recast a fashion favorite as a family heirloom with purpose.
Numbers, dates and value: what experts report
The ring’s original price in 1981 was reported at about £28,000, a figure widely cited in British media archives. Experts now estimate its value in the hundreds of thousands of pounds, commonly in the £300,000 to £400,000 range depending on sapphire quality and provenance. The stone is typically described as around 12 carats, encircled by 14 solitaire diamonds, set in white gold by Garrard, the former Crown Jeweller.
Two dates frame its modern meaning: 1997, the year of Diana’s death, and 2010, when the ring reappeared as an engagement symbol. Each public outing since then reinforces that timeline and explains the intense audience attention whenever Catherine wears it at high profile moments.
Beyond the ring: other symbolic jewels Kate Middleton chooses
Symbolism is a language Catherine speaks fluently through accessories. Pearls, traditionally associated with mourning in royal circles, appear at remembrance events. On 17 April 2021 at the funeral of Prince Philip, she wore a four strand pearl choker with a diamond clasp from Queen Elizabeth II’s collection, previously loaned to Diana in the early 1980s.
Her earrings often nod to heritage. The Collingwood pearl drops, a favorite of Diana, have accompanied ceremonies tied to service and remembrance, including Remembrance Sunday in November 2023. That choice reads as continuity rather than fashion.
Regimental emblems carry another layer. Appointed Colonel of the Irish Guards in December 2022, Catherine has worn the shamrock brooch at the St Patrick’s Day parade on 17 March 2023, a visual salute to the regiment she represents. For pageantry events like Trooping the Colour, she has also selected sapphire and diamond earrings from Diana’s collection, a coordinated echo of the engagement ring’s deep blue.
How to decode royal jewelry symbolism at a glance
Royal accessories often do more than decorate. A few familar checks help readers read the message without overthinking it.
- Provenance matters: if a piece belonged to Princess Diana or Queen Elizabeth II, expect a gesture toward continuity or tribute.
- Match the moment: pearls for remembrance, regimental brooches for military ceremonies, sapphires and diamonds for state or family milestones.
- Dates tell the story: note anniversaries or firsts, such as a new patronage or a return to an important balcony appearance.
- Color signals intent: deep blues often align with formal duty and unity, green with Ireland or St Patrick’s Day, poppy motifs with remembrance in November.
- Repeat wear equals message: if Catherine repeats a specific piece at parallel events, the meaning is deliberate rather than trend led.
Put simply, Catherine’s jewelry choices create a bridge between private sentiment and public duty. The sapphire ring sits at the center of that bridge. Its origin in 1981, its reappearance in 2010 and its continued presence today explain why a single flash of blue still carries the weight of a royal story that everyone recognizes on sight.