Why the Duchess of Cambridge didn't wear her engagement ring yesterday

The Duchess of Cambridge made a typically stylish appearance yesterday in a bright red Boden coat, but she was without one vital accessory – her famous engagement ring.

The 36-year-old royal was visiting Great Ormond Street Hospital to open the latest phase of the institution’s redevelopment scheme.

But eager-eyed fans were quick to spot that Kate wasn’t wearing her sapphire engagement ring, which once belonged to Princess Diana and instead wore just her simple gold wedding band.

The Duchess is rarely seen without her sparkler, which lead to some speculate that the reason the royal had left it off had something to do with her pregnancy.

According to the NHS ankles, feet and fingers often swell a little in pregnancy as your body is holding more water than usual.

Some women find they have to remove their rings towards the end of their pregnancy as their fingers increase in size.

The Duchess of Cambridge has around four months left of her third pregnancy, so swollen fingers could well be something she’s suffering from.

But actually, that isn’t the reason she chose to forgo her engagement ring yesterday.

In fact her decision not to wear the ring was actually driven by practical reasons, namely that she was following the hospital’s policy on minimal jewellery.

According to People, the Duchess had to wash her hands before entering the treatment areas, so removing her jewellery was recommended.

Kate did actually put the ring back on after the morning visit, and was seen wearing it at her next event with the Wimbledon Junior Tennis Initiative.

The Duchess’ beautiful Garrard Sapphire ring with diamond halo originally belonged to Princess Diana, and was bought by Prince Charles for his fiancé in 1981.

“Kate’s ring is a 12 carat oval sapphire surrounded by 14 brilliant cut diamonds, and made in 18ct white gold and Meghan’s is in 18ct Yellow gold,” said David Law from David Law Jewellery.

“Based upon Bank of England’s inflation figured Kate’s ring when presented to Diana cost £28,000 and would now be worth £100,000. But today’s true estimated cost is nearer £300,000,” David explains.

Interestingly it was Prince Harry who originally chose the Duchess of Cambridge’s engagement ring as a keepsake from his mother’s collection.

According to sources, when Princess Diana died in 1997, Prince William and Prince Harry were reportedly taken to Kensington Palace to each chose a something from their mother’s belongings.

The Daily Star reported that Harry chose the iconic engagement ring, and William his mother’s Cartier watch.

But the pair came to an agreement that whoever got engaged first would use their mother’s ring. And of course that was William and Kate.

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