The Duchess of Edinburgh knows how to keep her cool in a heatwave – and that's with ice cream! Prince Edward's wife was pictured tucking into a cone of ice cream at day one of the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival.
When HELLO! shared the images on Instagram, instead of all eyes being on Sophie's mouthwatering snack, attention was turned to her ring finger, where no wedding ring could be seen.
Fans started questioning what they saw, with one writing: "Didn't realise she never wore a wedding ring," and another asking: "Where are her rings?"
Other comments on the photo were praising Sophie, with one reading: "The most underrated working royal. She’s one of the best and yet so discreet and smart!" and another: "Very stylish and elegant."
Sophie does, in fact, have an engagement ring and wedding ring which are normally on her finger. However, it is not the first time that she's ditched her traditional rings.
© PA Images via Getty ImagesLast year we saw Sophie swap out her pair of rings for different alternatives, including an 'Africa' ring from Giulia Barela with a price tag of £128.
It could be the fact that the soaring heat has made the rings unwearable as it is common for fingers to swell when temperatures are high.
Sophie also removed the ring on various visits throughout the coronavirus pandemic, for hygiene reasons.
What's Sophie's engagement ring like?
© GettyEdward presented Sophie with a gorgeous ring in 1999, following a six-year relationship. It is reported to be worth an estimated £105,000 ($149,000) and at the time he joked: "Have you got your dark glasses on? If it catches the sun, you'll be blinded."
It's a trilogy ring that features a two-carat central oval diamond flanked by two heart-shaped diamonds, and it is normally layered next to Sophie's Welsh gold wedding band, made from the same Clogau nugget as royals such as Princess Anne and the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Royal engagement ring prices
If you thought £105,000 was pricey for an engagement ring, just wait until you learn that there are a few other royal ladies with rocks on their fingers holding even bigger price tags.
Princess Eugenie's rare oval-cut Padparadscha sapphire surrounded by a halo of diamonds, from Jack Brooksbank, is worth a dazzling £120,000.
© Photo: Getty ImagesZara Tindall's is a single solitaire diamond on a split platinum band with several pavé set diamonds and is believed to be worth around £140,000.
Coming in tops is the iconic family heirloom – the late Princess Diana's 12-carat, oval-cut jewel that's now been passed down to Princess Kate.
