Why Princess Diana’s jewellery might start appearing in public more
When the new Duchess of Sussex stepped out of Windsor Castle in her wedding reception frock, royal fans were quick to notice the dazzling aquamarine ring she had adorned on her finger.
Now that Meghan Markle is officially a royal and part of the family, precious jewels that once belonged to Prince Harry’s mother, Princess Diana, may start to come out of the vault on a more regular basis, according to jewellery expert Ella Kay, from The Court Jeweler.
Princess Diana’s precious collection – which includes dazzling diamonds and enormous sapphires – has remained more or less hidden in the years since her tragic death in 1997.
However, Ella predicts that Prince Harry’s newly married status may result in the reappearance of many of his mother’s beloved jewels – which have not been seen in public for decades – not only on his new wife Meghan, but also on his sister-in-law Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge.
“The royal wills are all sealed,” Ella explained to GoodHousekeeping.com. “They’re not made public, so we don’t know who exactly got what or what happened to it,” referring to Princess Diana’s estate upon her death 20 years ago.
That said, some sentimental jewellery pieces – such as Duchess Kate’s sapphire engagement ring and the diamond’s in Duchess Meghan’s engagement ring – hint that Princess Diana’s sons William and Harry were a part of a special plan when it came to sharing her estate.
"It wouldn't surprise me if they kept back the lion's share of jewellery until both of the princes were married so that they could split it," Ella added.
"Harry hadn't needed it so far but I can imagine them saying, 'We don't want Kate to start wearing it all,' because there would be nothing left [for Harry's wife]."
While some of Princess Diana’s beloved jewellery has already made a public appearance on Kate and Meghan – including a pair of drop pearl earrings Kate wore back in January – there is one item in particular Ella is hoping makes its public debut again.
"The one that I cannot wait to see back — or that I'm hoping will be worn — is a sapphire cluster with diamonds all around it like Kate's engagement ring, but it's the size of an egg," she says. "The Queen Mother gave it to [Princess Diana] as a wedding gift. It was originally a brooch, but Diana set it in a pearl choker."
Scroll through the gallery above to see some of the precious jewels once owned by Princess Diana that both Meghan and Kate have been seen wearing.