What Prompted Kate Middleton to Choose a New Ring to Replace Her Iconic Sapphire Engagement Ring?

As the positive news of Katherine Middleton’s completion of chemotherapy and cancer-free streak sank in Monday, questions about her ongoing recovery were replaced by one big question about the video she used to announce the news. There was, of course, no precedent. In times gone by, the only updates about royal health were delivered either on an easel in the courtyard of Buckingham Palace or via a rather curt announcement on the BBC.

So it’s fair to say there’s never been a more massive and abrupt shift in the tone of royal messaging than the one signaled by the Princess’s astonishingly intimate Instagram cancer recovery photo, directed by Will War. So happy that she’s completed chemo, which must have been exhausting and worrying, Catherine looks beautiful and natural. But it wasn’t just the joyous news that hyped up fans, as the royal sported a brand new outfit—wearing a new designer for the first time as well as the eternity ring she had when congratulating Team GB at the Olympic Games earlier this summer with one of her most iconic engagement rings of all time.

The Princess of Wales can’t remove her jewelry without sparking speculation amongst fans. Weeks ago, Katherine was spotted without her heirloom from Prince William’s late mother, Princess Diana. And now, as she celebrated completing a course of preventative chemotherapy, the Princess has once again swapped her sapphire and diamond ring for an eternity band featuring the same stones.

In one clip, she was wandering through a field in a boho dress by Veronica Beard and running her hands through the long grass, offering a glimpse of her left hand. While many guessed the Princess was definitely wearing a new ring, others thought it to be a promise ring. This piece was given by Catherine’s husband to her in 2005. It features their birthstones—garnet for Catherine and a pearl for William.

Perhaps she lost a lot of weight and her iconic engagement ring needs to be resized during the cancer treatment. There are several practical reasons why someone might need to take off their rings. Chemotherapy can cause fluid retention in the hands, which might make rings tight and difficult. Since patients are at a high risk for getting infectious diseases during chemotherapy, removing rings can help prevent skin infections. I wonder if she needs a fresh start from wearing Diana’s ring—something for this next phase in her life.

Anyway, I hope this doesn’t mean the iconic engagement ring disappears forever. Where her engagement ring formerly sat were stacked bands, including her Welsh gold wedding band, her diamond eternity ring (thought to be a gift from Prince William following the birth of Prince George), and another thin band alongside her new sapphire and diamond accessory.

Sapphire gemstones not only have a special connection to Princess Diana (since she chose her engagement ring because it matched her eyes), but they are also said to symbolize power and strength and have healing properties. Perhaps even more poignant in their durability, as their ability to withstand scratches could be linked to Kate’s resilience in her cancer journey. Finally, sapphires are the birthstone for September, which is the month when Catherine announced the end of her cancer treatment and, therefore, a big milestone for her health.

Meanwhile, Kate wore Veronica Beard’s Castella floral-print Ram midi dress in ivory, which she paired with her beloved white Veja trainers. She accessorized her boho-chic ensemble with Kiki McDonough’s green amethyst pearl drop earrings and a personalized necklace with the initials of Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louie by Daniela Draper.

Green amethyst, also called prasiolite, has a hidden meaning that made her elegant choice perfect for her earnest appearance. Importantly for her, green amethyst also helps someone’s emotions and pains to be heard and understood. It’s a constant reminder that we must go forward with love in our hearts and spread it to all the supportive ones around us. The Princess of Wales kept her makeup fresh and minimal, and she wore her luscious locks down in her signature wavy blow-dry.

Royal fans were delighted about her latest news, taking to social media to praise her beautiful dress worn by a beautiful woman.