Millions of viewers around the world held their breath as they watched Prince William squeeze the custom wedding band onto Kate Middleton’s finger at their wedding in 2011.
But viewers were surprised to see that the gesture was not reciprocated when William was not given a ring on the day and he has not been spotted with one since.
While it is now common practice for both the bride and groom to give each other a ring as a sign of their eternal devotion, a royal aide explained that Prince William’s decision not to wear a ring was ‘simply down to personal preference’.
‘It was something the couple discussed but Prince William isn’t one for jewellery – he doesn’t even wear a signet ring – and decided he didn’t want to,’ they added.
Prince William chose not to receive a wedding ring for his marriage to Kate Middleton in 2011
Prince Harry was given a platinum band with a textured finish during his wedding to Meghan Markle in 2018
Prince William’s decision not to wear a wedding ring is ‘simply down to personal preferece’ according to a royal aide
Kate’s simple, gold wedding band, which the couple helped to design, was fashioned from a nugget of royal-owned Welsh gold given to William by his grandmother the Queen.
Prince William’s decision follows the example of his late grandfather, Prince Philip and his uncle Prince Andrew, who also chose not to wear a wedding ring.
His brother Prince Harry however took a modern approach, with both him and his wife Meghan Markle giving each other rings at their wedding in 2018.
Both were made by Cleave and Company, the official royal jewellers who also crafted Meghan’s engagement ring which features a central diamond from Botswana surrounded by two diamonds from Diana’s collection.
While Meghan’s band was made from Welsh gold as is traditional for royal brides, Harry’s ring was a platinum band with a textured finish.
In a statement, the Palace said: ‘Ms Markle’s ring has been fashioned from a piece of Welsh Gold, gifted by Her Majesty The Queen.
‘Prince Harry’s ring will be a Platinum Band with a textured finish. Both rings were crafted in the Cleave workshop.
‘The rings will be carried to St George’s Chapel on the day of the Wedding by The Duke of Cambridge, in his capacity as Best Man.’
Harry father, King Charles also opted to wear a wedding ring for both his marriage to Princess Diana and Camilla.
After his wedding to Camilla in 2005, Charles chose to wear his wedding ring on his little finger underneath his signet ring which, bearing the fleur-de-lys crest of the Prince of Wales, was believed to be a gift from his parents.
Meghan’s engagement ring featured a gold band with three diamonds, a large square cut jewel in the centre set off by two diamonds at the side, although Meghan redesigned the band in 2019
Both Harry and Meghan’s wedding bands were made by Cleave and Company, who also crafted Meghan’s engagement ring
He continued to wear the wedding ring given to him by Diana until the day after his engagement to Camilla.
The custom of men wearing wedding rings is said to be relatively recent, gaining popularity during the Second World War when servicemen chose the accessory to remind them of their wives and families at home.
As men’s jewellery became more commonplace, so did the practice of men wearing a wedding ring.
David Miller, formerly director of Debrett’s, a leading authority on etiquette, said: ‘Wearing a wedding ring used to be uncommon for men but now it is quite accepted practice.
‘That said, it really is a matter of personal choice and members of the Royal Family often chose to wear it with a signet ring on the little finger of their left hand.’
However at the time of Prince William’s wedding, a royal source explained: ‘It is quite common for men in that strata of society not to wear a traditional wedding band.
Charles wore his wedding band underneath his signet ring on his little finger, which featured the fleur-de-lys crest of the Prince of Wales
Kate Middleton was given a ring made from Welsh gold at her wedding, as is tradition for royal brides
‘If they do, they tend to wear it with their family signet ring but William doesn’t have one of those.’
Meanwhile, the custom of royal brides having ring made from Welsh gold was started by the Queen Mother in 1923.
One nugget of gold from the Clogau St David’s mine was used to make the Queen Mother’s wedding ring, the Queen’s in 1947, Princess Margaret’s in 1960, the Princess Royal’s in 1973 and that of Diana, Princess of Wales in 1981.
To replnish the diminishing supply, the British Royal Legion presented the Queen with a 36-gram (1.3oz) piece of 21-carat Welsh gold for future rings in 1981.
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