The Princess of Wales made her first official solo appearance in more than a year - and it proved to be an emotional one. Kate, 43, visited the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, where it emerged she received her chemotherapy treatment following her cancer diagnosis. The princess, who later revealed for the first time that she is in remission, visited the hospital to thank staff for their care and to meet patients currently going through treatment.
As she reassured patients and shared her experiences of her cancer journey with them, it became clear that Kate had opted against wearing her dazzling sapphire engagement ring that once belonged to Princess Diana for the visit. And it is likely there was a very important reason why she left the jewellery at home - as rings with large stones are believed to be an infection risk. Many healthcare professionals only wear plain band-style rings for this reason - and on previous official visits to hospitals, Kate has not worn her ring.
Instead, Kate was yesterday seen wearing a new eternity ring she was first spotted wearing last summer. It was first glimpsed in a video shared by William and Kate to congratulate Team GB following the Paris Olympics. She was also spotted wearing it in the emotional video where she gave an update on her cancer journey and revealed her chemotherapy treatment was over and during a poignant trip to Southport in October.
At the time, royal fans speculated the new ring was a potential gift from William and wondered if the new jewellery may be the sign of a 'fresh start' for the princess, now she has finished her treatment and is designed to mark "the next phase of her life".
