The Real Reason Kate Middleton’s Engagement Ring Goes MIA Sometimes

As one would expect, the British Royal family owns a vast jewellery collection. Some pieces are truly iconic and known worldwide. Kate Middleton's sapphire engagement ring certainly doesn't need an introduction. However, you might enjoy learning about the ring's fascinating history.

The exquisite gem-bearing ring was a present from then-Prince Charles to Diana Spencer for their engagement in 1981. As you may know, the marriage didn't last, and some fifteen years later, the Prince and Princess of Wales finalised their divorce.

According to their settlement agreement, Diana could keep her jewellery, including the sapphire ring, but couldn't sell or give it away. Instead, the divorced Princess had to pass everything down to her sons, Princes William and Harry, who inherited the pieces after her tragic death in 1997.

The thing about this particular ring is that Kate doesn't always wear it. In fact, the Princess of Wales generally tends not to put it on when attending public events, and, as it turns out, there is a good reason for that.

Primarily, Kate Middleton doesn't want to damage the historic ring in any way, which is why she takes the precaution of mostly keeping it at home, according to professionals at Steven Stone.

Whenever the Princess of Wales participates in any activity that puts the precious engagement ring at risk, she opts not to wear it. And in addition to preventing damage, leaving the ring behind also has the added benefit of making it impossible to accidentally lose it.

Furthermore, Kate Middleton prefers not to wear the ring on hospital visits. It's a sign of good taste and respect for the sick, as well as a perfectly reasonable precaution against contamination.

Given how complex the ring is to clean and its eye-watering price of around $500,000, it's understandable why the future queen takes such good care of it. But perhaps most importantly, she does it for her husband, Prince William, to whom his mother's engagement ring must have a huge sentimental value.

Source: Steven Stone Crisscut Magazine