Kate Middleton made her first royal appearance of 2025 at The Royal Marsden Hospital, where she was treated for cancer last year. Fans noticed her iconic engagement ring was missing, likely due to comfort and health reasons. She expressed gratitude for the hospital’s care and announced her new role as Joint Patron, highlighting her journey and remission status.

Kate Middleton recently stirred headlines with her first royal appearance of 2025 at The Royal Marsden Hospital in London, where she had received cancer treatment the previous year. This year has begun on a much more positive note compared to 2024, which was tough for Kate with her cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy.

The Princess of Wales, who turned 43 last week, showcased her signature style with a chic monochromatic outfit featuring a burgundy turtleneck sweater, matching skirt, and brown checkered coat.

However, what caught the attention of royal fans was the absence of one key accessory: her iconic engagement ring!

Importance of her engagement ring

Kate Middleton’s engagement ring, a stunning 14 diamonds encircling a 12-carat oval blue Ceylon sapphire piece that once belonged to Prince William’s late mother, Princess Diana, was noticeably absent from her finger. Instead, she wore an elegant eternity band adorned with diamonds and sapphires alongside her gold wedding ring. This change sparked curiosity among fans, especially since the engagement ring had been featured in a birthday post just a week earlier.

Possible reason behind not wearing the ring

This is not the first instance of Kate opting to forgo her famous engagement ring. In a video update, she first showcased the eternity band last summer while discussing her cancer journey. According to royal historian Lauren Kiehna, via The Court Jeweller, she likely swapped it because the engagement ring though stunning as it is, wasn’t fitting comfortably during that time.
While it is unclear if Kate wore her engagement ring on Christmas Day, it was certainly present during her carol service appearance when she was seen wearing gloves. Given that she was visiting a hospital, it is plausible that health and safety considerations influenced her decision to remove the ring.

It’s not the first time Kate’s engagement ring hasn’t appeared during hospital visits. Kensington Palace also told HELLO earlier that she often takes off her jewellery when seeing children in the wards to avoid any hygiene risks.
Just a few days ago, giving her fans an update on her health the Princess of Wales took to X and posted, “I wanted to take the opportunity to say thank you to The Royal Marsden for looking after me so well during the past year. My heartfelt thanks goes to all those who have quietly walked alongside William and me as we have navigated everything. We couldn’t have asked for more. The care and advice we have received throughout my time as a patient has been exceptional. In my new role as Joint Patron of The Royal Marsden, my hope is that by supporting groundbreaking research and clinical excellence, as well as promoting patient and family wellbeing, we might save many more lives, and transform the experience of all those impacted by cancer. It is a relief to now be in remission and I remain focused on recovery. As anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis will know, it takes time to adjust to a new normal. I am however looking forward to a fulfilling year ahead. There is much to look forward to. Thank you to everyone for your continued support.”
While fans may miss seeing the ring on her finger, the reasons behind its absence highlight both personal comfort and health considerations. As she continues to resume her royal duties and overcome personal challenges, Kate remains an enduring symbol of grace and resilience.