It is over 14 years on since the glorious occasion of Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding – but have you ever noticed how the Prince of Wales doesn’t wear a wedding ring?
This in contrast to his brother Prince Harry and father King Charles, who both have wedding bands. Noticeably, the king, 76, chooses to wear his wedding ring underneath his signet ring on his little finger.
There is also a long tradition of royal wedding rings being forged from Welsh gold ever since the late Queen Mother’s wedding in 1923. Jewellers Clogau have provided royal rings from a gold mine in Dolgellau for decades upon decades, with the Crown Estate involved in the commercial dealings of the mine from 1860.
Princess Kate’s stunning wedding rings
The now Princess of Wales’ stunning engagement ring made headlines in the months before her April 2011 nuptials, as it previously belonged to Prince William’s mother Princess Diana.
He explained at the time he made use of her ring – a 12-carat, oval-cut Ceylon blue sapphire from Sri Lanka, surrounded by 14 round-cut solitaire diamonds – as he wanted to ensure his late mother “didn’t miss out on today”.
Prince William also told ITV News: “It’s my mother’s engagement ring. So I thought it was quite nice because, obviously, she’s not going to be around to share in any of the fun and excitement of all this.”
He added: “This is my way of keeping her sort of close to it all.”
In recent months, Kate has been spotted wearing what appears to be an eternity band, stacking it with her Welsh gold wedding ring.
She has also worn a white gold and diamond Annoushka ring following Prince George’s birth in 2013. But she hasn’t always been wearing her engagement ring in public.
And Prince William hasn’t worn a band relating to his wedding at all.
Ahead of William and Kate Middleton’s big day, that was not an unexpected development.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson told reporters in advance: “There is only going to be one ring, in accordance with the couple’s wishes.”
It is believed this is a style decision for Prince William, with reports suggesting he might also find it impractical as a busy working royal.
It’s all down to personal preference.
Furthermore, an unnamed source is said to have told the Mirror: “He’s not one for jewellery. He’s never worn any. He decided he didn’t want to wear one now. It’s all down to personal preference.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wedding anniversary
But when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle married exactly seven years ago today on May 19 2018, observers witnessed the now Duchess of Sussex place a ring on her husband’s finger moments after accepting one from him.
Prince Harry’s chosen band was also a departure from tradition, however. He decided on a textured platinum band – and not the standard Welsh gold pick.
However, according to reports, other male royals have also chosen not to have a wedding band when marrying.
As well as Prince William, both Prince Andrew – now divorced from Sarah Ferguson – and Prince Edward (married to Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh) also reportedly went ringless, as did their father Prince Philip.
