According to a jewellery expert, the Duchess of Cambridge has two preferred pieces. One is her most valuable jewel but surprisingly, her personal favourite is the most affordable piece she owns.
Ben Jarrett, a jewellery expert at H&T, explained most people believe Kate’s most valuable piece is her engagement ring which belonged to Princess Diana.
The ring is indeed one of her favourite jewels and probably the “jewellery in her collection with the most personal meaning,” said the expert.
“Not only does the ring hold a special place in her heart in regards to Prince William and their marriage, but it also pays homage to the late Princess Diana.
“Wearing Diana’s ring perhaps brings her a sense of closeness to her mother-in-law and her children’s grandmother, whom Kate didn’t get the chance to meet.”
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Prince William proposed to Kate in 2010, when he presented her with the stunning sapphire and diamond ring.
The expert explained that although the Duchess has other pieces that belonged to Diana, she is rarely seen wearing them. “Whilst Kate has often worn jewellery owned and worn by the late Princess Diana, she tends to save these pieces for special events.
“Not only are they some of the most extravagant pieces in the royal collection, but they may also hold a higher personal value to both Kate and William who perhaps wish to keep them for rarer occasions as a result,” Ben said.
About Diana’s ring, he explained: “The ring features a 12-carat oval blue sapphire, cut into facets, and surrounded by fourteen solitaire diamonds. The setting is made from 18K white gold.
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“On their tenth anniversary, we estimate that the ring is now worth £390,000 based on the value of the stone and band.
“Although with the ring being an iconic cultural piece it could fetch hundreds of thousands more if it ever reached auction.”
However, he claimed the Duchess’ favourite piece is another one much closer to her heart.
For her wedding day in April 2011, Kate wore a stunning tiara, which she combined with a pair of pear-cut diamond drop earrings from Robinson Pelham.
The elegant earrings were gifted to her by her parents and the Duchess decided to wear them on the special day honouring her family side.
The jewellery expert explained: “The pear-cut diamond drop earrings the Duchess wore on her wedding day may not be the most extravagant piece in her collection however may be priceless to Kate as they were a gift from her parents.
“With her wedding to Prince William being one the biggest royal weddings ever, having a piece of her parents with her may have been a comfort and signify her holding on to her Middleton identity despite becoming a royal.”
On her wedding day, Kate borrowed the Cartier Halo Tiara from the Queen.
George VI commissioned Cartier to make it for his wife in 1936 and it was given to the Queen as an 18th-birthday present.
The tiara has an estimated price between £750,000 and £1,250,000.
However, the Duchess has been seen many times wearing more affordable jewellery like the red earrings she donned to support England during the Euros.
The expert explained that “her choice to wear a more affordable brand is also in keeping with her attitudes towards mixing high end and high street fashion as a modern royal.”
