Princess Kate wore a five-ring stack worth more than 500,000 on her Northern Ireland visit this week, with her famous 12-carat sapphire engagement ring taking pride of place
Michael Moran Audience Writer
14:33, 16 Oct 2025
Catherine, Princess of Wales(Image: YUI MOK, POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
A brief trip to Northern Ireland this week witnessed the Princess of Wales pleading to be permitted to pilot a fire engine through Belfast’s streets “at full speed” with blazing lights and a howling siren.
However, whilst Kate Middleton’s appeal was courteously declined, she succeeded in capturing spectators’ focus in a more understated manner by displaying a piece of jewellery valued at more than most people’s homes.
The princess is celebrated for her budget-conscious wardrobe, and she maintained that approach for her Belfast excursion with a tailored green Alexander McQueen coat she initially donned in 2020.
Yet she elevated the Sarah Burton design with a magnificent five-ring collection featuring both her wedding and engagement bands.
Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales(Image: Max Mumby/Indigo, Getty Images)
The complete collection, which specialists have estimated to be valued at no less than $527,000 (approximately £393,000), features the renowned 12-carat sapphire engagement ring that formerly belonged to the late Princess Diana, reports Belfast Live.
Additional components of the extraordinary ring collection are Kate’s Welsh gold wedding band, two eternity rings presented by her spouse Prince William, and a fifth–currently unidentified–ring seemingly crafted from platinum.
Both of Kate’s eternity bands were allegedly fashioned by high-society jewellers G. Collins and Sons.
Kate Middleton(Image: WPA Pool, Getty Images)
Angie Kennedy, vice president of merchandising for luxury jewellery brand Zalles, revealed to Elle Magazine that Kate’s engagement ring is priceless due to its historical significance: “When Diana selected this ring herself back in 1981, she broke royal tradition — it wasn’t custom-made but chosen from a jeweller’s catalogue.
“That choice was very forward-thinking and in line with what we see brides doing today: picking a ring that reflects their personal taste. The bold Ceylon sapphire centre stone, paired with a halo of diamonds, made coloured gemstones and halo styles highly desirable.”
Princess Kate(Image: Max Mumby/Indigo, Getty Images)
The ring was purchased from Royal Jewellers Garrard & Co., who currently sell similar items for between £14,000 and £21,000. However, Angie Kennedy values Kate’s ring far above that.
“Experts estimate the diamonds together weigh about six carats, with each stone close to half a carat,” she said, estimating its value at around $500,000 (£375,000). “Of course, its history and royal connection make Kate’s specific ring truly priceless.”
The worth of Kate’s engagement ring significantly overshadows that of its companion eternity rings, which would likely retail for between £3,750 and £11,000 each.
During her appearance at Wimbledon in 2025, the princess was only wearing four of the rings, and she has been known to leave her bulky engagement ring at home on some occasions as well.
Catherine, Princess of Wales (Image: Max Mumby/Indigo, Getty Images)
Royal enthusiast Christine Ross, co-host of The Royal Dress Code podcast, revealed to Town and Country Magazine that Princess Catherine appears to be adopting a less formal approach to her wardrobe, since last year’s health scare. “While she may have scrutinised and analysed every fashion decision in the past, one could assume that she is funnelling less energy into minute details and more energy into how she feels day to day.
“Some days she wears a relaxed stack of rings; other days, she dons the iconic sapphire engagement ring.”