The Princess of Wales’ emotional National Three Peaks Challenge was filled with powerful symbolism, and it wasn’t just the mountains she conquered that told a story.
As Kate shared new photographs from the final moments of the gruelling challenge, royal watchers couldn’t help but notice the carefully chosen jewellery she wore to celebrate the deeply personal achievement.
Arriving at the finish line, the Princess wore her famous wedding stack, her favourite garnet drop earrings and what appeared to be a handmade friendship bracelet believed to have been created by Princess Charlotte, a combination that experts say perfectly reflected the significance of the moment.
According to jewellery expert Oliver Hobart, Creative Director at 925E, Kate’s accessories were chosen with sentiment firmly in mind.
“What makes Kate’s jewellery choices during the National Three Peaks Challenge so compelling is that they appear to have been driven by sentiment rather than status,” Oliver tells HELLO!.
© The Prince and Princess of Wales“Following such a significant milestone in her recovery, she chose pieces that symbolise family, resilience and personal identity, demonstrating that jewellery often carries emotional weight far beyond its financial value.
“Milestone moments naturally encourage people to reach for jewellery that tells their own story, and we’re increasingly seeing consumers build collections around memories and meaning rather than simply following trends.”
The Princess’s jewellery offered a striking contrast between royal heirlooms and everyday keepsakes.
Kate’s iconic sapphire engagement ring, once belonging to Princess Diana, is now estimated to be worth more than £300,000, while her Welsh gold wedding band and diamond eternity ring represent another significant investment.
Yet sitting alongside those precious pieces were a pair of Spells of Love garnet earrings, retailing for just £89, and what is believed to be a woven friendship bracelet handmade by her daughter. “From a valuation perspective, it’s a fascinating combination,” Oliver explains.
“Her iconic sapphire engagement ring is estimated to be worth well in excess of £300,000 today, while her Welsh gold wedding band and diamond eternity ring together represent another significant investment.
“Yet alongside those sits a pair of Spells of Love garnet earrings retailing for £89 and what appears to be a simple woven friendship bracelet that, it is said, was made by Princess Charlotte, which would be virtually priceless from a sentimental perspective despite having very little monetary value.”
According to the expert, that balance reflects a broader shift in how people view jewellery today. “Luxury is no longer defined purely by the value of the gemstones or precious metals,” he says.
“Instead, people are becoming far more interested in pieces that carry personal stories, whether that’s a birthstone representing a birth month, a wedding ring symbolising commitment, an inherited heirloom or something handmade. The emotional significance has become just as important as the craftsmanship.”
© James MiddletonKate’s choice of earrings was equally meaningful. The Princess has worn the Spells of Love garnet earrings on numerous occasions since first debuting them in 2023, and Oliver believes their symbolism made them the perfect choice for such a poignant occasion.
“Her garnet Spells of Love earrings are another thoughtful and go-to choice for Kate, a piece she has returned to on multiple occasions since first wearing them in 2023,” he says.
“As Kate’s birthstone, garnet has long been associated with strength, protection and perseverance, making them particularly fitting for an endurance challenge that marked such an important chapter in her personal journey.
“Crafted from 18K gold vermeil on sterling silver with an ethically sourced stone, they are the kind of piece that feels both considered and wearable, and that balance is exactly why Kate keeps reaching for them.”
The Princess completed the National Three Peaks Challenge in support of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, scaling Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell Pike in England and Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) in Wales over 24 hours.
Following the challenge, she reunited with Prince William, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, her parents Carole and Michael Middleton, and brother James Middleton at the finish line, making the jewellery she chose to wear even more poignant.
As Oliver concludes: “Perhaps the most powerful aspect of Kate’s jewellery choices is that they demonstrate how seamlessly fine jewellery and everyday sentimental pieces can coexist.
“Wearing heirloom-worthy rings alongside what appears to be a handmade friendship bracelet sends the message that the pieces we treasure most aren’t always the most expensive.
“Increasingly, modern jewellery collections are built around moments, relationships and memories, and that’s something people from every budget can relate to.”
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