Kate’s engagement ring, which once belonged to Diana, has become one of the most famous pieces in the royal jewelry collection. After her wedding in 2011, Kate added a classic gold band to it. Despite this, the Prince of Wales, unlike his brother Harry, has never worn a wedding band.
William’s decision not to wear a wedding band has drawn a lot of comments. A month before the wedding, the palace of St. Jakuba announced that the prince will not receive the ring during the ceremony in Westminster Abbey. The reason was solely the personal preferences of William, who was never a fan of wearing jewelry.
According to a source from the palace, quoted by The Mirror, Prince William is not a fan of jewelry and has never worn it, so even after the wedding he did not want to give up his habits. Everything was based on his individual style. In 2018, royal commentator Eloise Parker emphasized in an interview with Marie Claire that there is no tradition in the royal family for men to wear wedding bands. She pointed out that although women traditionally wear both an engagement ring and a wedding band, Prince Philip and Prince William did not follow this tradition.
Parker also noted that with weddings broadcast around the world, there is no questioning the marital status of members of the royal family. Prince Philip, who was the husband of Queen Elizabeth II. more than seven decades, he also did not wear a wedding band. William’s father, King Charles, wears a signet ring on the little finger of his left hand.
King Charles prefers a classic gold band, while Prince Harry chose a modern smooth platinum ring. He and Meghan Markle had their wedding jewelery made by royal jewelers Cleave and Company. Meghan Markle’s ring was made from a Welsh gold bar gifted to her by the Queen, and Harry’s band was platinum with a textured finish. Both rings were created in the Cleave workshop.
The tradition of women wearing wedding rings dates back to ancient Egypt, but men began to commonly follow this tradition only in the second half of the 20th century. The breakthrough came during World War II, when many soldiers wore wedding bands as a symbol of connection with family back home. The wedding ring is traditionally worn on the fourth finger of the left hand. This habit is based on old beliefs, according to which this finger vein – vena amoris, i.e. “vein of love” – leads directly to the heart.
This article comes from the Ringier publishing partner website. The content and data contained in it were taken without editorial intervention.
