Kate Middleton left engagement ring at home for Charing Cross Hospital visit

People reports that the Princess of Wales left her engagement ring at home when she and Prince William made an unannounced visit to Charing Cross Hospital on Jan. 8, 2026.

For the stop — their first royal appearance of the new year as joint patrons of NHS Charities Together — Princess Kate wore a tailored maroon suit and burgundy blouse but opted for only her Welsh gold wedding band rather than the stack of rings she began layering in 2024 and continued wearing in 2025. The visit aimed to spotlight NHS staff and volunteers who are meeting increased demand during the winter months.

The report says the pared-back jewelry may reflect common hospital policy to keep rings to a minimum to reduce the spread of germs. It notes she has skipped her sapphire engagement ring and a white gold Annoushka ring for past hospital visits in 2018 and 2020, though the rule is not ironclad — she wore a sparkly stack while touring The Royal Marsden in January 2025 and had rings on during a July visit to the RHS Wellbeing Garden at Colchester Hospital. Whether she will again wear her engagement ring on future hospital stops was not stated.

Key Topics

Culture, Kate Middleton, Prince William, Charing Cross Hospital, Nhs Charities Together, Welsh Gold Ring