On Sunday—just as the Paris Olympics drew to a close—the Prince and Princess of Wales posted a video congratulating all the athletes from Great Britain. “From all of us watching at home, congratulations to team GB,” Kate Middleton said as William—sporting an uncharacteristic shadow of stubble—stood beside her. (The unofficial spokesperson of the games, Snoop Dogg, also made a cameo.)
The princess wore an outfit laced with sartorial symbolism. First was her Breton shirt—a clear nod to the host country and its rich fashion history. In the 19th century, the striped tops were worn by the French Navy as it made them easier to spot in the water. Fast forward a century later, the fashion world embraced the design. Chic Parisians wore them during their seaside holidays in Cannes and St. Tropez, and soon, they became a wardrobe staple. It was a sensible and smart choice by Kate: designer French fashions may have seemed overly extravagant to a country dealing with a cost of living crisis. Yet the simple Breton shirt simultaneously paid homage to France while also feeling appropriate to wear back in Britain.
Then, there was her ring. The internet took particular note of the piece of jewelry: while Kate frequently wears her sapphire and diamond engagement ring, in the video, she instead wore a subtle gold band lined with gemstones.
Immediately, speculation arose about its origins. Many believed it was a ring Prince William originally gave Kate Middleton while they were students at St. Andrew’s University. The ring was lined with pearls and garnets, the respective birthstones of William and Kate. For years before their engagement, she wore the ring on her middle finger.
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Others, however, believed it might be a new eternity band. (Kensington Palace declined to comment on the ring’s origins when asked by The Telegraph.) Yet whether the ring is new or old, it’s clearly a sweet throwback to the couple’s university days. Either Kate unearthed the sentimental piece from her jewelry box or William perhaps gave her an upgraded version that paid homage to the ring he gave her decades ago, in the early days of their romance.
Her choice to wear the pared-back design instead of her engagement ring is also telling. The latter is, yes, beautiful and priceless. It’s also likely quite difficult to wear day-to-day, especially for a woman with three children. While we can’t be sure what goes on behind closed doors, there’s a good chance the princess doesn’t wear the 12-carat piece constantly while around the house.
Since the video looks like it was shot on an iPhone while at home—it’s said the couple is currently vacationing at Anmer Hall—Middleton is probably wearing the jewelry she actually wears every day. And that just so happens to be the pieces that already have a very special ring to them.
