Loose Women's Janet Street Porter blasts Pippa Middleton's 'grotesque' engagement ring

The Loose Women panelist said Middleton should have donated the cost of the ring to charity
Emma Powell20 July 2016
The Weekender

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Janet Street-Porter has hit out at Pippa Middleton’s engagement ring, branding the jewellery “vulgar”.

The Loose Women panellist said it was “grotesque” to wear a ring that is estimated to be worth £250k.

Middleton was pictured wearing the diamond band on Tuesday after confirming her engagement to hedge fund manager James Matthews.

Discussing the pictures, Street-Porter said: “I think it’s like looking at something out of the dark ages when a woman leaves her house with her hand in that contorted position. That ring says handcuffs to me.”

Street-Porter – who has been married four times – said the younger sibling of the Duchess of Cambridge should have donated the cost of the ring to charity.

“They know they’re going to get married so why waste the money on the ring,” she told viewers.

“That ring is valued at £250k and I think that’s grotesque in this day and age. I think it’s really vulgar. They could give that money to charity – that would be a great gesture.”

Street-Porter acknowledged Middleton's charity work, but added she should set an example.

Pippa Middleton - In pictures

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"She had an opportunity to say 'I'm a modern woman, I don't need a big diamond clunker on my hand'," she said.

June Sarpong said she agreed, but argued that the author should be allowed to flaunt it.

“It would be nice to give the money to charity, but it's all relative,” she said before adding: “She's engaged she's excited why shouldn't she be allowed to flaunt it.

Matthews reportedly proposed to Middleton during a romantic Lake District getaway.

The wedding is said to be taking place in Bucklebury, near Newbury where the Middleton’s parents Carole and Michael live.

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