Kate Middleton’s sweet tribute to Princess Diana in latest 40th birthday portraits

The Duchess of Cambridge has paid tribute to her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, by making sure the Princess of Wales’ engagement ring and pearl earrings were on display in her new 40th birthday portraits.

• Kensington Palace released three new portraits to mark Kate Middleton’s 40th birthday.
• Eagle-eyed royal fans noticed Princess Diana’s diamonds.
• In other Royal News, Sophie Wessex's proposal from Edward echoed Princess Diana and Sarah Ferguson's.

Three new portraits of Kate Middleton have been released to mark the Duchess of Cambridge’s 40th birthday. 

In them, the Duchess made sure she paid homage to her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, by ensuring her sapphire engagement ring—which nearly belonged to someone else—was on full display.

Kate, 40, is dressed in an ethereal white gown for one of the stunning black and white shots, and the ring cannot be missed—standing out against the white of Kate’s dress.

She also donned Princess Diana's pearl earrings for two of the pictures.

It comes just days after Kate was compared to the late Princess of Wales by royal biographer, Ingrid Seward.

Speaking on True Royalty TV’s The Royal Beat, she said, “She chats away. She talks a lot, and she has suddenly become more like Diana actually."

"Really chatting with people and engaging with them in a personal way, telling them little bits about herself."

Ingrid also revealed to The Mirror earlier in the week, "She is patient, and has the ability to listen."

"And she has discovered she has this ability with people, she is very good with the very young and the very old. That is like Diana was."

Although Kate was never able to meet Princess Diana before her tragic death in 1997, we know the Cambridge family do their utmost to keep her memory alive.

Back on Mother’s Day, Kate Middleton gave royal fans a rare insight into how they remember the late Princess Diana.

Paying homage to those who find the holiday a “particularly challenging day” due to bereavement, Kate revealed how the children write their “granny” a card every year.

Alongside pictures of their drawings, the Duchess wrote, “This year Mother’s Day will be different once again."

“Many of us will be apart from our loved ones, but looking forward to a time in the not too distant future when we can give our mother a hug again."

“But for those experiencing bereavement, today may be particularly challenging."

Each year on Mother’s Day, George, Charlotte and Louis make cards remembering their Granny, Diana, for William.

“Whatever your circumstances, we are thinking of you this Mother’s Day.”

And it wasn’t just Princess Diana Kate paid tribute to in the portraits. The Duchess also paid homage to the Queen.

It didn’t take long for eagle-eyed fans to spot the pearl drop earrings Kate is wearing once belonged to Her Majesty.