Kate Middleton wore a pair of new glittering hoop earrings as she visited the Royal Marsden Hospital in South Kensington in her first solo engagement since she was diagnosed with cancer. From the outset, it was clear that this would be a deeply personal engagement. The outing came as she revealed that she had undergone her preventative chemotherapy treatment at the very same, world-famous hospital.
It was perhaps significant, therefore, that Kate chose this occasion to wear a new piece of jewellery for the first time: a pair of Cartier ‘Trinity’ hoops, which feature three intertwined bands in 18-carat white, yellow and rose gold, and which retail for just over £3,000. The iconic ‘Trinity’ collection by the French label celebrated its 100th anniversary last year and has a legion of famous fans: Grace Kelly loved her classic ring, as did Romy Schneider; actress Jacqueline Bisset, meanwhile, was often seen in a chunky bracelet from the range.
Most poignantly perhaps, the choice could perhaps be seen as a nod to her mother-in-law, Princess Diana. The late Princess of Wales was fond of the ‘Trinity’ collection and owned a classic ring, which she wore on her little finger.
Stories abound about the origins of the design. Some point to its ancient Celtic roots, while others claim that the interlocking bands are descended from Russian wedding rings. Whatever the truth behind the fables, the legends persist – and the marriage of the three metals, combining different entities into one, has picked up its own symbolism. Indeed, those three hoops have come to represent endless meanings: past, present and future, for instance, as well as love, loyalty and friendship. After the difficult year she has endured, either of these interpretations would feel particularly apt for the Princess of Wales.
One has to wonder whether such a meaningful new piece of jewellery is a sentimental gift, perhaps from Kate’s husband, Prince William. The Prince penned a touching, surprisingly intimate tribute to his wife on social media for her birthday, praising the ‘remarkable strength’ she had shown over the last year and her role as ‘the most incredible wife and mother’. It’s possible that these new earrings are a birthday present, especially as Kate has demonstrated a liking for the ‘Trinity’ collection in the past.
The late Princess Diana – who wore a ‘Trinity’ ring on her little finger – popularised the range in Britain, making it especially special that her daughter-in-law has chosen to make it something of her own trademark. For this is not the first time that the Princess has chosen to wear the range: in 2012, she wore Cartier’s long and chunky ‘Trinity’ necklace for a visit to the National Portrait Gallery, which she donned again during a trip to New York in 2014. She has the matching, glittering earrings, too, which she wore with a royal blue dress for a special banquet at Kensington Palace to mark SportsAid’s 40th year in 2016.
Kate also has a more subtle set from the collection, including a small ‘Trinity’ necklace which she was first seen wearing during a visit to Paris in 2017. On that occasion, she also wore the matching studs, each of which are set with a brilliant-cut diamond. The Princess has long been a fan of literal dressing and perhaps – given that she teamed her Cartier set with a full Chanel look of tweed dress, black belt and burgundy bag – she was making a subtle nod to the famous designers of her host nation.
Given Kate’s penchant for imbuing her looks with meaning, it doesn’t seem unlikely that she would choose to wear earrings with sentimental meaning for an engagement that was so highly personal. And as she made her way through the main entrance of the Royal Marsden, wrapped up in brown winter coat, a Morgan small handbag by Asprey, and deep red polo neck with a matching skirt, Kate Middleton was overhead speaking openly about how the hospital had played host to her cancer treatment over the past 12 months: ‘I was just saying, coming in the front entrance here, having made so many quiet, private visits, actually it’s quite nice.’
Later, Kate shared on Instagram that she has gone into remission, detailing how it had ‘taken time’ to adjust to ‘the new normal’. She continued, ‘My heartfelt thanks goes to all those who have quietly walked alongside William and me as we have navigated everything.’ Catherine, 43, has also been announced as joint patron of the Royal Marsden Hospital alongside Prince William, who has held the role of President since 2007, a position previously held by his mother. The Princess of Wales was the picture of compassion as she offered a shoulder of support to fellow patients and extended her own personal thanks to staff members for their ‘exceptional care, support, and compassion’ throughout her own cancer journey.
