Princess Kate 'replaced' her sapphire engagement ring to 'help disperse any rumours'

The absence of the precious jewel, which once belonged to Princess Diana, has sparked curiosity among royal watchers.

Jewellery expert Ella Citron-Thompkins from Diamonds Factory has offered insights into the possible reasons behind this change.

According to Citron-Thompkins, the princess may have chosen to leave her ring at home due to "comfort or practicality".

Alternatively, the expert suggests that the ring could be undergoing cleaning or resizing. In place of her engagement ring, Kate has been seen wearing an eternity band, which is described as more subtle and understated.

Citron-Thompkins elaborated on the significance of Kate's choice to wear eternity bands: "The Princess of Wales may have chosen to wear the eternity brands to represent her relationship with Prince William surpassing several major milestones - like anniversaries or births - or as a show of love and commitment."

The expert further suggested that this could be interpreted as "a subtle nod to the public by Kate and William that they are in love more than ever."

These eternity rings are described as gold bands adorned with small gemstones, possibly garnets or sapphires. Citron-Thompkins drew a comparison to the promise ring Prince William gave Kate during their university days.

She continued to tell The Express: "This looks to resemble the promise ring that Prince William gave Kate at university when they first started dating; this was a rose-gold Victorian band embellished with pearls and garnets: representing both their birthstones."

The absence of Princess Kate's engagement ring is not an unusual occurrence, according to Citron-Thompkins.

She added: "It is not the first time that the infamous Princess Diana ring has been missing during an outing, and it could simply be that it is being cleaned or resized, and Princess Kate has used the eternity rings in its place to help disperse any rumours."

The expert also highlighted the extraordinary nature of Kate's engagement ring: "The princess's engagement ring is quite extraordinary and very precious, so it may be that she prefers to keep it safe at home for most engagements."

This practical approach suggests that the princess is mindful of preserving the iconic piece of jewellery, while still showcasing her commitment through the wearing of eternity bands.

The eternity ring worn by Princess Kate is not only symbolic but also practical. Citron-Thompkins described it as "a more subtle and understated band compared to her sizable engagement ring."

This ring is believed to be gold, set with small gemstones that could be either garnets or sapphires.

If the stones are indeed sapphires, the expert suggests it would be "the perfect homage to the ring it replaced."

This choice of jewellery allows the Princess of Wales to maintain a visual representation of her commitment while potentially protecting her more valuable engagement ring.

The expert's insights offer a reassuring perspective on the absence of the iconic ring, suggesting that it's a practical decision rather than cause for concern.