Why has Kate Middleton started wearing this ring again? It's not part of royal collection

Kate Middleton has been a full-time working royal since her wedding to Prince William on 29 April 2011 and she is often seen out performing royal duties on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II, 93. The Duchess of Cambridge has a number of stylish outfits and will usually dress these up with stunning pieces of jewellery, including many bits from the royal collection. Recently, she has been spotted wearing a citrine ring which she first debuted in 2008 and it is not part of the royal collection. By wearing the ring again, Kate could be giving a key insight into her role as a royal, Ben Johnson, Managing Director at Miltons Diamonds, told Express.co.uk.

The Duchess drew attention when she wore the jewelled ring to attend Wimbledon earlier this year and the citrine stone design could be worth thousands of pounds, Ben explained.

He said: “The ring looks like a very large citrine stone to me and judging by the size of it could be worth anything from £5,000 up to £20,000.

“Media reports have suggested that this ring is a new addition to the Duchess of Cambridge’s collection, but there is proof she owned it already, as she was photographed wearing it on a night out with Pippa in 2008.”

The Duchess first wore the ring over a decade ago and started wearing it again at Wimbledon in 2015 before showing it off earlier this year.

By wearing an old ring from her private collection, Kate could be rekindling her love for the personal piece.

“If the Duchess did own this prior to her marriage, perhaps she has re-kindled love for her own pieces,” Ben told Express.co.uk.

“It could be of sentimental value as a piece of jewellery that is hers alone and not borrowed from the Royal family’s collection.”

What’s more, by choosing to wear the piece, the Duchess could be given a hint about her role in the Royal Family.

“The citrine rock could also be making a reappearance because of what the stone is said to represent,” Ben explained.

“It is widely claimed that the citrine crystal emanates optimism and can be used to direct personal will and decisiveness.

“This would explain the motivation behind Kate’s decision to wear it on occasions when she is not accompanied by the Duke of Cambridge, attending events on her own terms.

“She is an experienced royal now, capable and independent.”

Over the past year, Kate’s sister-in-law, Meghan Markle, has been spotted wearing a new ring which gives a nod to the Royal Family.

She has worn two similar gold rings which are in the style of a signet ring, a popular look among royals.

Both the rings were also designed by British jewellers meaning she gave a nod to her new home of the UK. 

Meghan’s engagement ring also gave a key detail about her unique role in the Royal Family, an expert revealed. 

How did Kate Middleton become a royal?

Early life

Kate Middleton, or Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, was born on 9 January 1982 at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, England.

She was born to Michael and Carole Middleton, a former flight dispatcher and air hostess. The couple founded a party supplies company, Party Pieces, in 1987 – now estimated to be worth £30 million.

Kate has a younger sister Pippa Matthews, 34, and a younger brother James Middleton, 31.

Education

Kate and her family moved to Amman, Jordan, in 1984, where the future Duchess was educated at an English-speaking nursery school.

After moving back to Berkshire the family sent Kate to private school, St Andrews School. She went on to briefly study at Downe House before moving onto Marlborough College where she boarded.

For university the young Kate attended the University of St Andrews in Fife, Scotland. Here she was awarded an undergraduate MA (2:1 Hons) in history of art.

Relationship with Prince William

Kate met Prince William when they were both studying at St Andrews, and both living in St Salvator’s Hall. Famously, William reportedly took a fancy to Kate after she wore a see-through dress during a fashion show.

In 2003 the couple began dating and lived together during their second year of university.

The couple split in April 2007, however, in October they were back together.

Wedding

Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton with his late mother Princess Diana’s engagement ring in October 2010. The couple were holidaying in Kenya at the time.

On 29 April 2011 they married at Westminster Abbey with a whopping 26 million watching the event live.

Kate wore an Alexander McQueen dress worth a reported £250,000 on the big day.

Kate assumed the title “Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge” and also become the Duchess of Cambridge on the day.