Kate Middleton steps out without her engagement ring during high-profile engagement

Kate Middleton stepped out without her stunning sapphire engagement ring for part of a high-profile engagement in Merseyside. 

• The Princess of Wales briefly wore just her wedding ring during part of her first engagement of 2023 and the first since Prince Harry’s memoir was published.
• Kate Middleton has occasionally opted to take her engagement ring off for certain visits before and there could be a very good reason. 
• This royal news comes as the Duchess of Gloucester stepped up her fashion game in a cozy cream coat and roll neck - and we have a feeling Sophie Wessex would approve! 

The Prince and Princess of Wales have made their first appearance in 2023 since Prince Harry’s memoir, Spare, was officially released on January 10. The future King and Queen Consort visited the new Royal Liverpool University of Hospital. With all eyes on them amid the shocking allegations made in Spare, including the claim that Prince Harry felt Prince William was “gone forever” after he and Kate married, they opted for outfits in matching shades of blue and green. Kate Middleton’s style trademark of a cozy dress and coat were perfect for the January weather. 

However, eagle-eyed fans might also have spotted that Kate Middleton stepped out briefly without her engagement ring during this high-profile visit to Merseyside. 

Although she was pictured arriving and leaving wearing her sparkling sapphire, she was also snapped with just her Welsh gold wedding band inside the hospital. She was photographed using hand sanitizer before entering a ward and walking along the corridors of the hospital without her iconic ring which was one of Princess Diana’s jewelry items. 

The Princess of Wales kept on the matching sapphire and diamond earrings that coordinate perfectly with the ring and someone likely looked after it for her during her time not wearing it. 

This isn’t the first time that Kate has temporarily removed her engagement ring - or even just attended a public event without it. Back in the summer of 2022 she watched some Commonwealth Games events in Birmingham with Prince William and Princess Charlotte wearing just her wedding ring. 

And she also briefly removed her engagement ring when she took part in a sailing competition during a visit to Plymouth in August that year. She’s also done so in the past for visits to hospitals and according to Hello! (opens in new tab), it’s reportedly due to her wanting to avoid any kind of hygiene hazard whilst on wards.

This would certainly make sense and could be the reason she was briefly seen without her engagement ring again in the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, showing her conscientiousness. She and Prince William paid a visit to Merseyside to express their gratitude to those working in the healthcare and mental health support fields for all they do during the winter months

The Prince and Princess of Wales’ visit marked their first public appearance not only of the year but amid the revelations made by the Duke of Sussex in Spare. The Royal Family haven’t officially commented on the book and there’s also been sad news for King Charles and Prince William after the loss of the prince’s godfather and King’s second cousin, King Constantine of Greece.

King Charles has now stepped out for the first time since Spare’s publication as he undertook an engagement in Aberdeenshire in Scotland and showcased his dedication to his royal duties.