Royal fans spot subtle difference in Kate Middleton’s outfit at Festival of Remembrance – as she wears beloved ring in public for the first time in months

The Princess of Wales donned Princess Diana’s engagement ring in public for the first time in months at the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday night.

In recent appearances, Kate, 42, has worn a stunning gold ‘eternity’ band, thought to be a gift from the Prince of Wales and set with diamonds and sapphires, instead of her late mother-in-law’s jewellery.

But for her highest-profile appearance since undergoing cancer treatment, the royal opted to wear Prince William’s mother’s ring, which boasts a 12-carat Ceylon sapphire surrounded by a cluster of 14 solitaire diamonds set in white gold.

The mother-of-three, who stepped back into the public eye to honour lost servicemen and women this weekend, wore a stylish mid-length black dress with a deep v-neck collar as she arrived at the Kensington venue with her husband. 

A beaming Kate, who wore her shoulder-length hair down, also wore a pair of large drop pearl and diamond earrings once owned by Diana. 

Royal fans were delighted by Kate’s decision to wear her engagement ring once again, with one person writing on X: ‘The hair, the makeup, the iconic ring, the outfit, welcome back my favourite Princess.’

Another said: ‘I think it is lovely to see the Princess of Wales and her beautiful engagement ring.’

A third enthusiastic individual added: ‘The Princes of Wales looks beautiful tonight! And the ring is back!’

Princess Diana’s ring was designed by the crown jeweller Garrard and inspired by the sapphire and diamond cluster brooch that was made for Prince Albert in 1840, which he went on to gift Queen Victoria as a wedding present and she wore it as her ‘something blue’.

At the time, it was referred to as the ‘commoner’s sapphire’ as the ring was available in the Garrard’s catalogue, meaning that anyone could have purchased it for £47,000.

But Princess Diana loved her engagement ring so much that she continued to wear it after her divorce from Prince Charles in 1996 – and it seems the Princess of Wales is just as fond of it. 

Meanwhile, Princess Diana received her beautiful earrings them from Collingwood Jewellers in London as a wedding gift ahead of her marriage to Charles in 1981.

Princess Diana wore the pair on her wedding day, as part of her going away outfit.

In recent appearances, Kate, 42, has worn a stunning gold ‘eternity’ band, thought to be a gift from the Prince of Wales and set with diamonds and sapphires, instead of her late mother-in-law’s jewellery

But for her highest-profile appearance since undergoing cancer treatment, the royal opted to wear Prince William ‘s mother’s ring, which boasts a 12-carat Ceylon sapphire surrounded by a cluster of 14 solitaire diamonds set in white gold

Reaction: Royal fans were delighted by Kate’s decision to wear her engagement ring once again

On Saturday, Kate’s gold winged brooch also saw her paying tribute to her own side of the family. 

Last year, the royal was named the Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm, Colonel-in-Chief of the 1 Queen’s Dragoon Guards, and the Royal Honorary Air Commodore of the Royal Air Force Coningsby.

Kate’s paternal grandfather Peter Middleton served as a fighter pilot during the Second World War. 

Captain Middleton died at the age of 90 just days before the Prince and Princess announced their engagement in 2010. 

Footage taken outside the venue showed the Princess of Wales stepping out of the royal car with Prince William repeatedly putting his arm behind her in a gesture of support. 

At last year’s event, Kate wore a pearl necklace and matching earrings that belonged to Queen Elizabeth II alongside a brooch of 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards, to which she was appointed Colonel-in-Chief last August. 

Kate was the most senior female Royal in attendance on Saturday after Buckingham Palace confirmed the Queen – who is unwell with a chest infection – would not attend the event, nor the Remembrance Day service at the Cenotaph on Sunday. 

A Palace spokesperson said that while her decision to not attend is ‘a source of great disappointment to The Queen, she will mark the occasion privately at home’.

Kate’s ring originally belonged to William’s late mother Princess Diana and cost £28,500 in 1981

Kate also donned Diana’s engagement ring, which features an oval 12-carat Ceylon sapphire surrounded by a cluster of 14 solitaire diamonds set in white gold

The Duke of Kent, seen behind King Charles III, and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, standing behind Princess Anne, were also spotted in the Royal Box 

Kate clapped enthusiastically next to husband Prince William, with the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester standing behind them 

Ever on trend, Kate wore a mid-length black dress with a deep v-neck collar, accompanied by a stylish black clutch purse

His Majesty, who became Patron of the Royal British Legion earlier this year, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, as well as Princess Anne arrived earlier on Saturday at the central London venue. 

The Duke of Kent, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucestershire and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence were seated in the Royal Box, as those who put their lives on the line for King and Country were celebrated.

Once the event got underway, the King received a standing ovation as he took his seat, accompanied by a royal fanfare from state trumpeters of the household division.

Hosted by Adrian Lester, several British music icons took to the stage to honour the servicemen and women, including Sir Tom Jones, Alexandra Burke, Jack Savoretti and many more.