In 2021, an independent inquiry led by Lord Dyson found that the BBC used deceptive methods to secure its landmark interview with Princess Diana in 1995. Prince William responded publicly, expressing deep concern over the way his mother had been treated and how the interview had contributed to the unraveling of her trust in institutions. His words at the time were pointed but composed. He thanked Lord Dyson and said it was welcome that the BBC accepted the findings in full. That moment seemed to offer some form of closure, at least publicly.
But what if closure wasn’t the end of the story? What if the answers Prince William had quietly been searching for—about his mother, her life, her choices, and her fears—were never buried in reports or press coverage, but instead hidden somewhere no one had thought to look?
In early 2024, Kensington Palace, which has long served as both a royal residence and administrative centre, was undergoing scheduled renovations. It wasn’t unusual. Buildings of that age and importance often require careful upkeep. But during this particular round of work, something unexpected surfaced—something that would alter William’s understanding of his mother’s final year.

Why Kate Middleton Didn’t Wear a Signature Accessory at Her Royal Marsden Hospital Visit

The Princess of Wales is known to leave this heirloom at home for hospital tours

Kate Middleton at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London on Jan. 14.Credit : Chris Jackson/Getty

Kate Middleton was without an accessory staple for her emotional visit this week to the London hospital where she received cancer treatment, likely in light of the nature of the engagement.

On Jan. 14, the Princess of Wales, 43, made an unannounced appearance at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Chelsea, London, returning to the medical center where she privately underwent treatment in 2024, a detail announced that day. A Kensington Palace spokesman said of the outing, “The princess wanted to make the journey to both show her gratitude to the incredible team, but also highlight the world leading care and treatment the Marsden provides.”

For her appearance, Kate noticeably didn’t wear her engagement ring.

One of Princess Kate’s style signatures is the sapphire and diamond engagement ring from Prince William, which previously belonged to his late mother, Princess Diana. The 18-carat ring is a true statement piece, and one Kate has been known to remove during hospital visits. Some medical centers have policies on minimal jewelry, with a hand-washing requisite before visiting wards. Princess Kate has taken off her heirloom engagement ring for hospital tours before, making her Royal Marsden trip no different.

Kate Middleton at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London on Jan. 14.Chris Jackson/Getty

The Princess of Wales did, however, skip her engagement ring, seemingly as a fashion statement, a few times in 2024, including in last year’s Mother’s Day picture with her kids, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6. It was also off in an August video in which she and Prince William congratulated Great Britain on their success at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

As seen in that clip and the subsequent September video in which she announced that she’d completed chemotherapy, Kate instead wore a stack of rings with what appears to be a new eternity band. In those instances, the princess appeared to wear her Welsh gold wedding ring, a white gold and diamond Annoushka eternity band that William gave her after George was born in 2013, a mystery third ring and what looks to be another eternity band of dark gems and diamonds.

Kate Middleton and Katherine Field at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London on Jan. 14.Chris Jackson/Getty

“The ring that Kate wore is definitely a newer addition to her jewelry box. It’s a slim, sparkling eternity-style band with alternating light and dark gemstones,” Lauren Kiehna, founder of The Court Jeweller blog, told PEOPLE at the time.

“Many of these eternity bands reflect family relationships. Given that her children’s birthstones are rubies, emeralds and diamonds, it wouldn’t surprise me if the gems set in the new ring are linked to George, Charlotte and Louis,” Kiehna added about what the accessory’s deeper meaning may be.

Kate Middleton and Prince George in a video issued on Sept. 9, 2024 (left); Middleton’s hand in a video issued on Sept. 9, 2024 (right).The Prince and Princess of Wales/YouTube (2)

The Princess of Wales did wear her dazzling engagement ring for most of her few formal outings in 2024, from Trooping the Colour in June (her first public event after announcing that March that she was undergoing treatment for cancer) to Wimbledon in July. It was also on for the Festival of Remembrance in November and her Together at Christmas carol service in December.

Princess Kate’s latest appearance without her engagement ring may also hint at a new proclivity of only wearing it for her most formal royal events, as she didn’t put it on for a surprise visit to Southport with Prince William in October 2024. There, they showed support for the community grieving in the wake of a mass stabbing attack at a Taylor Swift-themed yoga and dance class that July, with Kate opting instead for her ring stack.

Also announced on the day of Princess Kate’s visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital this week was her and Prince William’s decision to become Joint Patrons of the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. The Royal Marsden opened in 1851 as the world’s first hospital dedicated to cancer diagnosis, treatment, research and education, and the hub is world-renowned for its care.

Kate Middleton at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London on Jan. 14.CHRIS JACKSON/POOL/AFP via Getty

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Prince William had previously served as president of the Royal Marsden since 2007, a position which his mother Princess Diana also held. Though Princess Diana was forced to relinquish most of her charity patronages and military appointments after she and the future King Charles divorced in 1996, her role with the Royal Marsden Hospital was one of the six causes she kept her official role with in her life after the palace.

Princess Diana with Christopher Balfour and Lord Hindlip at a private viewing and reception at Christies for the auction in aid of the Aids Crisis Trust and the Royal Marsden Hospital Cancer Fund.Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty

Reflecting her close relationship with the Royal Marsden, the hospital was one of Diana’s “favorite charities” that benefitted from her charitable auction of 80 dresses from her closet through Christie’s in New York City in June 1997, the New York Times reported then.

Princess Diana tragically died two months later following a car accident in Paris that August at age 36.