KATE Middleton’s 12-carat engagement ring is instantly recognisable for many royal fans, partly as it used to belong to Princess Diana.
But Kate’s sister Pippa Middleton also has a jaw-dropping sparkler – although it comes with some “challenges.”
The younger sister of Princess Kate was proposed to by wealthy hedge fund manager James Matthews in 2016, after less than a year of dating.
To seal the deal, James – brother of Made in Chelsea star Spencer Matthews – popped the question with a three-carat diamond engagement ring.
Pippa’s ring has some royal ties too, it turns out, as the sparkler features an “Asscher-cut”, which was invented in 1902 by Joseph Asscher, founder of what is now known as the Royal Asscher Diamond Company.
The prestigious diamond brand has provided jewellery for Queen Juliana of the Netherlands.
The ring had a price tag to rival Kate’s, with the octagonal diamond ring reportedly costing around £250,000 – and will keep Pippa busy.
Caring for a royal ring can be tricky according to Ben Roberts, Managing Director of Clogau – the brand responsible for the Welsh gold that the royals have used to create their wedding rings since 1923 (when Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, who became The Queen Mother, married the Duke of York, later King George VI).
Speaking about Kate’s 12-carat sapphire engagement ring, he told Hello! magazine: “Even without any alterations, caring for an heirloom of such value comes with its own challenges.
“Kate and her team will need to employ careful maintenance, with regular inspections and in-depth evaluations, gentle cleaning to restore sheen, and, if necessary, expert repairs to ensure its longevity.
“That way, she can continue to wear it every day and maintain a constant connection to the past while grounding her in the present as a beloved senior member of the Royal Family.”
Pippa and James married on 20 May, 2017, with a £250,000 budget for the big day.
The pair shunned a lavish ceremony in favour of a more intimate, family affair in Pippa’s home village.
She wore a spectacular dress by designer Giles Deacon, that featured cap sleeves and an elegant high neckline and is said to have cost upward of £40,000.
The couple wed at St Mark’s Church in Englefield in Berkshire and resident priest the Reverand Nick Wynee-Jones officiated.
The church dates back to the 12th century and was extensively restored by Sir George Gilbert Scott in 1857.
The £6million Middleton family home in nearby Bucklebury hosted the wedding reception.
A £100,000 glass marquee was built at the family home and it had space for more than 350 guests.
The guests also enjoyed a fly-by from aircraft including a World War Two Spitfire.
Designer Giles Deacon designed the lace gown Pippa wore to marry James Matthews. He was spotted visiting Pippa and her mother Carole just before Christmas, holding a garment bag.
KATE Middleton is extremely close to her family, including mum Carole and sister Pippa.
And when Prince William’s wife becomes Queen one day, her beloved family members could be in line for some special honours.
Royal author Phil Dampier told Fabulous that Pippa Middleton could be given a similar role to Queen Camilla’s younger sister, Annabel Elliott, who is one of her six “companions”.
He said: “I certainly think there could be a role for Pippa as a lady-in-waiting or companion type role.
“This needs to be someone the then Queen can trust and rely on, and who better than her sister?
“Pippa has some commercial interests but I’m sure by the time Kate becomes Queen she would be happy to fulfil that role if required.
“It’s not necessarily a full time job so she would be available.
“We all know what a sensation she was at their wedding in 2011 and since then she has kept a relatively low profile and of course is happily married.”
Another person he thought could be in line for a “companion” position is Kate’s stylist and close friend Natasha Archer, as she is “someone else she trusts and would be ideal for a supportive post.”
Meanwhile, Kate and Prince William announced their engagement in 2010, with the royal proposing with his mother’s ring in Kenya.
At the time of its creation, the ring was worth £28,000, according to Marie Claire.
Vintage ring expert Sam Mee estimates that these days its value is more like £390,000.
However, given the historical significance it now holds, some believe it is actually priceless.
For his proposal, Prince Harry used stones from Princess Diana’s collection to create a ring for Meghan Markle.
Prince Harry popped the question in 2017 with a classic gold band set with three diamonds, although Meghan later upgraded the ring to feature a diamond-studded band, valued at £150,000.
