Kate Middleton’s new ‘eternity ring’ speaks volumes on ‘huge shift’ with Prince William

The Princess of Wales’ health challenges have meant joint engagements with her husband Prince William have been few and far between so far this year.

But yesterday, they chalked up their first official outing of 2024 together when they paid an emotional visit to Southport – Kate’s first public engagement since the end of her chemotherapy treatment.

She made a last-minute decision to join William on the visit to the Merseyside town where she delivered hugs and a heartfelt “thank you” to the emergency workers called to the fatal Southport stabbings after meeting the families of the three little girls who were killed.

Both the prince and princess spent 90 minutes chatting privately with the families of Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, after making an unannounced trip to see them. For the moving outing, Kate opted to wear an autumnal red polka dress teamed with a brown coat and heels. And fans were quick to note how William’s outfit co-ordinated as he wore a deep red jumper in the same hue.

And royal expert and historian Dr Tessa Dunlop believes the matching outfits were very telling. She told the Mirror: “Moved by the appalling tragedy that unfolded in Stockport three months ago, she tore up her recovery rulebook and accompanied William on his trip north. Kate’s own lived experience gave her a new gravitas, neatly reflected in the muted autumnal colours she wore, and understated eternity ring that has replaced Diana’s showy engagement sapphire.

“The elegant ensemble underlined the princess’s sincerity in front of those at the coalface of national tragedy, with William’s matching berry-coloured jersey speaking to the couple’s newfound togetherness.”