Kate Middleton ditches engagement ring as she returns to royal duties wearing 'eternity band'
Kate Middleton has made a surprise public return to royal duties, but it wasn’t just her unplanned appearance which caught attention. The Princess of Wales was spotted without her iconic engagement ring, instead sporting a dazzling eternity-style band during her latest outing with Prince William in Southport.
In what is thought to be a last-minute decision to accompany her husband, Kate, 42, joined husband William to meet emergency responders and grieving families affected by the tragic stabbings earlier this summer. The couple offered heartfelt words of comfort and support to both the families of the victims and the emergency workers who responded to the devastating incident which shook the nation.
It marked Kate's first official public engagement following the joyful news that she had completed her chemotherapy treatment earlier this year.
READ MORE:Nick Knowles given devastating news just one day before Strictly Come Dancing live show
READ MORE:Good Morning Britain host announces they're stepping down and won't return until next year
In most royal appearances before her diagnosis, Kate was rarely seen without her engagement ring - featuring the famous blue sapphire that once belonged to Princess Diana. But, during her return to the spotlight yesterday, the princess opted to swap her engagement ring for an elegant eternity band, stacked alongside her gold wedding ring.
The new ring, set with sapphires and diamonds, is similar in style to her engagement ring, making it a subtle change to her jewellery. It’s not the first time we’ve seen the new ring, however.
Royal fans have noticed Kate wearing the ring before, in a video shared earlier this summer congratulating Team GB athletes following the Paris Olympics. She was also spotted wearing it in an emotional update where she announced that she had completed her chemotherapy treatment.
Since Kate was first seen wearing the new ring, fans have speculated that it might have special significance, and could possibly be a gift from Prince William , 42, to mark a new chapter in Kate’s life post-treatment.
During the visit in Southport , William and Kate met privately with the families of Bebe King, 6, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9, all of whom were horrifically killed during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in late July.
The royal couple spent 30 minutes speaking with the bereaved families before joining emergency workers at Southport Community Centre, where they listened to the responders’ accounts of the tragic day and thanked them for their heroic efforts.
Kate offered personal thanks to the responders, saying: "I can’t underestimate how grateful the families are for the support you provided. On behalf of them, thank you."
After the visit, William and Kate took to social media to post about the meeting, writing: "Meeting the community today has been a powerful reminder of the importance of supporting one another in the wake of unimaginable tragedy."
Kate has been gradually returning to public life, with a lighter schedule of royal duties, after announcing in a video four weeks ago that she had completed her chemotherapy. She has also been involved in other private engagements, including a surprise visit to a ballet performance in London.
Sign up to OK!'s daily newsletter to get updates sent to your inbox for free
