The Princess of Wales was pictured attending church for the first time since her cancer announcement. Photos and details concerning her appearance have been shared, and fans think there is something amiss.
On Sunday, August 25, paparazzi snapped photos of Princess Catherine on her way to attend a church service at Crathie Kirk in Balmoral. The excursion comes after the Princess of Wales was seen at Trooping the Colour and months after she publicly announced that she had been diagnosed with cancer.
User comment about Princess Catherine, posted on August 25, 2024 | Source: X/@Gillian_Killen
Joining the beloved senior royal was her husband, Prince William, who was spotted in the driver’s seat of the black Land Rover the couple rode in together.
For their church service outing, Princess Catherine looked radiant and stylish in a $1,120.38 (£849) full-length Marlborough trench coat by Holland and Cooper.
To complete her ensemble, the princess donned a $143.70 (€128.55) “The Suffolk Fedora” from Hicks & Brown embellished with a feather on the side. She accessorized her outfit with pretty dangling earrings.
Her beau, on the other hand, looked dapper in a classy black suit, crisp white formal dress shirt, and a sleek tie to finish off his distinguished look.
According to a news outlet, the royal duo’s firstborn son, Prince George, was also seen sitting in the back seat of their car. In the back passenger seats of a separate vehicle, King Charles III and Queen Camilla were photographed on their way to the service as well.
Queen Camilla and King Charles III leaving Clarence House in London, England on February 6, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
The same outlet also reported that Princess Catherine and Prince William had joined the King and Queen of England in Scotland for the royal family’s summer holiday in the Scottish Highlands—a retreat that is a tradition for the British royals.
Upon reading about Princess Catherine’s church outing, many social media users took to online platforms to express their opinions. Most asserted how the Princess appeared to be unhappy. Some even claimed that something seemed off between her and Prince William as well.
Prince William and Princess Catherine at a Ceremonial Welcome for South Korea’s President in central London, England on November 21, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
“Look how sad her eyes are,” pointed out an observer. Another echoed, “She doesn’t look happy,” while someone else noted, “He looks so unhappy and she is done (just surviving).” Adding to the speculation about the status of the Wales royals as a couple, a user on X questioned, “They’ve separated haven’t they [?]”
Prince William and Princess Catherine at a Memorial Service for Gerald Grosvenor, 6th Duke of Westminster in Chester, England on November 28, 2016 | Source: Getty Images
“Ever since she was diagnosed with cancer William is rarely seen by her side,” remarked a Facebooker. Another added, “So sad eyes closed a snooping long lens camera always hiding tragic!”
On the other hand, some people were simply happy to see Princess Catherine and Prince William out and about. “How lovely to see them both looking so well and happy,” swooned a fan. Similarly, another gushed, “She looks lovely may they all have a wonderful vacation together.”
Prince William and Princess Catherine at Trooping the Colour in London, England on June 15, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Regardless of what some may believe, Prince William and Princess Catherine are still going strong and were spotted together not too long before this recent church service outing. Earlier this month (August), the duo joined forces to pay tribute to all of Team Great Britain’s athletes who competed at the Paris Olympics.
Prince William and Princess Catherine at a service to commemorate the life of the late Queen Elizabeth II in St Davids, Wales on September 8, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
They appeared in a video alongside an array of famous icons to sing the athletes’ praises. However, many found themselves transfixed with a certain shiny piece of jewelry glimmering on the princess’ left hand.
User comment about Princess Catherine’s new ring, posted on August 11, 2024 | Source: X/@BishopPaulMK
Kicking things off with legendary rap mogul Snoop Dogg, the Prince and Princess of Wales’ video shone a spotlight on the amazing feats and accomplishments Team Great Britain achieved throughout the Games.
Snoop Dogg at the Women’s Breaking dance competition during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France on August 9, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
“From all of us watching at home congratulations to Team GB,” Princess Catherine expressed as she stood next to her beau, Prince William. “Well done on all you’ve achieved, you’ve been an inspiration to us all,” added the prince from their Norfolk holiday home.
Princess Catherine and Prince William congratulating Team GB athletes in a video, posted on August 12, 2024 | Source: Instagram/princeandprincessofwales
Although the prince and princess were joined by big sports stars like David Beckham and famous TV hosts and broadcasters like Gabby Logan and Clare Balding, the public focused their attention on the royal couple.
David Beckham congratulating Team GB athletes in a video, posted on August 12, 2024 | Source: Instagram/princeandprincessofwales
For the congratulatory dedication, Princess Catherine looked radiant in a chic Ralph Lauren top and left her dark locks loose. Prince William, who looked handsome with his stubble, sported a custom Team GB Adidas shirt.
Princess Catherine and Prince William. | Source: Instagram/princeandprincessofwales
“Well done @teamgb, what an incredible journey! Every athlete showed immense dedication, heart, and passion. You made us all so proud! Here’s to celebrating every triumph at @paris2024 and looking forward to more from @paralympicsgb_official later in the summer 🇬🇧🥇,” penned the prince and princess in their heartfelt caption.
Team GB’s bronze medalists for the Men’s 4 x 400m Relay during the medal ceremony at the Paris Olympics in Paris, France on August 10, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
While their feature in the video was as quick as lightning, Princess Catherine’s ring finger did not go unnoticed by eagle-eyed netizens. A stunning gold band set with gemstones delicately sat on her wedding ring finger.
Princess Catherine and Prince William. | Source: Instagram/princeandprincessofwales
This ring was quickly noticed as different from Princess Catherine’s sapphire and diamond engagement ring that once belonged to her husband’s legendary late mother, Princess Diana.
A close-up of Princess Catherine’s ring finger, posted on August 12, 2024 | Source: Instagram/princeandprincessofwales
Initially, many netizens believed the new ring to be the promise ring she had received as a gift from Prince William. At the time Prince William gifted the ring to Princess Catherine, he was still her boyfriend, while the two were still students at St Andrews University.
Prince William and Princess Catherine at a field game in Eton, England on March 18, 2006 | Source: Getty Images
“Oh? Catherine was clearly wearing her wedding ring in the 📹, but not her engagement ring. Instead, she was wearing one that looks new or that we hadn’t seen before. On Tumblr, there was initial speculation that it might be the ring William gave Catherine with their birthstones,” asserted a social media user.
According to a media outlet, this ring is set in a rose-gold Victorian band and features both Princess Catherine and Prince William’s birthstones.
While the prince’s birthstone is a pearl because his birthday is in June, the princess’ birthstone is a garnet to represent her birth month—January.
Prince William and Princess Catherine at a Christmas Party for families and children of deployed personnel in London, England on December 4, 2018 | Source: Getty Images
The garnets on the promise ring that Princess Catherine wore on the day of her graduation are reported to represent commitment. On the other hand, the pearls symbolize purity and innocence. A Steven Stone jewelry expert dubbed the ring “priceless,” particularly because of its sentimental significance.
Princess Catherine arriving at a graduation ceremony at St Andrews University in St Andrew’s, Scotland on June 15, 2005 | Source: Getty Images
On the other hand, some people were under the impression that the ring Princess Catherine was seen wearing in the video was not her promise ring but an eternity ring. This cohort of the public also noted how they spotted diamonds and sapphires as opposed to pearls and garnets.
Princess Catherine visiting Nottingham Trent University in Nottingham, England on October 11, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
Reportedly, this ring was gifted to Princess Catherine by Prince William to commemorate the birth of Prince George. “It’s an eternity ring,” stated an online observer of the ring that was seen in the video message.
Princess Catherine and Prince William holding their son Prince George after he was born at St Mary’s Hospital in London, England on July 23, 2013 | Source: Getty Images
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“Catherine is wearing a new ring on her engagement wedding band finger. Is this the Sapphire Eternity band William gifted to Kate [a] few years ago? When not working, it’s a nice idea not to wear her very large engagement sapphire ring. Espec on vacation,” commented someone on X alongside a close-up photo of the ring.
Princess Catherine spotted out in St. Andrews, Scotland on June 23, 2005 | Source: Getty Images
Whether the ring is indeed the eternity ring or the promise ring Prince William gifted his wife years ago is still up for debate. However, there was no mistaking that the ring is clearly different from Princess Catherine’s engagement one.
A close-up of Princess Catherine’s engagement ring during the Royal Variety Performance in London, England on November 30, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
Her beautiful engagement ring is deemed a “symbol of remembrance, love, and legacy.” It features a 12-carat opal-cut sapphire, which is bolstered by 14 round-cut diamonds. Reported as a favorite of the late Princess of Wales, Princess Diana left it to her sons following her demise in 1997.
Prince William and Princess Diana during an official photo call in Auckland, New Zealand on April 18, 1983 | Source: Getty Images
Interestingly, media outlets stipulate that the sapphire ring had originally belonged to Prince Harry, but the Duke of Sussex decided to give it to his older brother after Prince William proposed to Princess Catherine.
Prince William and Prince Harry arriving for the unveiling of a statue of their late mother Princess Diana in London, England on July 1, 2021 | Source: Getty Images
Of the new ring Princess Catherine was recently seen wearing, one social media user observed, “It’s so pretty! Much better (I’ve never thought the Diana ring was pretty – sorry! 😬).” Hate it or love it, the late Princess Diana’s sapphire ring stems from a rich history that goes beyond its beauty and appeal.
Princess Diana at an event in 1991. | Source: Getty Images
After Prince William had used it to propose to Princess Catherine in 2010, he divulged the significant sentimentality behind the ring.
“I thought it was quite nice cause uhm, obviously she’s not gonna be around to share any of the fun and excitement of it all […] This is my way of keeping her sort of close to it all,” expressed the prince about his late mother, in a past interview.