Why Prince William doesn't wear a wedding ring unlike wife Kate Middleton | HELLO! (2024)

Many eyes have been on Princess Kate since her much-debated Mother's Day photo last weekend with a certain detail sticking out. The Princess of Wales, 42, opted to leave her iconic sapphire and diamond engagement ring and her gold wedding band off.

Questions around the Princess' lack of rings were answered by her representatives with the Mirror reporting that, "Kate’s office simply responded to questions about her ring by stating the royal was 'at home' when the photo was taken."

Why Prince William doesn't wear a wedding ring unlike wife Kate Middleton | HELLO! (1)© Getty

In public, the royal is never seen without her ring, however, the same is not true of her husband. Many have wondered why Prince William opts not to wear his ring, despite his brother Prince Harry always sporting his.

Why Prince William doesn't wear a wedding ring unlike wife Kate Middleton | HELLO! (2)© Getty

The answer is simple - the Prince of Wales does not like jewellery of any kind and that has always been the case. A month before their 2011 wedding, St. James' Palace announced that William would not be given a ring when he and his bride exchanged vows at Westminster Abbey.

Why Prince William doesn't wear a wedding ring unlike wife Kate Middleton | HELLO! (3)© Getty

A palace insider revealed at that time to The Mirrorthat William’s choice was one related to personal style. "He’s not one for jewellery," they explained. "He’s never worn any. He decided he didn't want to wear one now. It’s all down to personal preference."

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Why Prince William doesn't wear a wedding ring unlike wife Kate Middleton | HELLO! (7)© Getty

Meanwhile, in 2018, royal commentator Eloise Parker weighed in on the debate in an interview with Marie Claire. "Although it’s traditional for royal women to wear both an engagement ring and a wedding ring after they get married, it’s never been traditional for royal men to wear one," the royal expert said. "That’s why Prince Philip and Prince William don’t wear them. I think when you have a wedding watched by millions, everyone knows you’re married."

Why Prince William doesn't wear a wedding ring unlike wife Kate Middleton | HELLO! (8)© Getty

Despite being married to the Queen for over 70 years, Prince Philip never wore a wedding ring. In comparison, William's father King Charles does wear one – a signet ring on the little finger of his left hand.

Why Prince William doesn't wear a wedding ring unlike wife Kate Middleton | HELLO! (9)© Getty

While the King wears a classic gold band, Harry is thought to have wanted a more modern look for the special piece of jewellery, choosing a sleek platinum design instead. Harry and Meghan asked court jewellers Cleave and Company to create their wedding jewellery, which the palace revealed in a statement just before the royal wedding.

Why Prince William doesn't wear a wedding ring unlike wife Kate Middleton | HELLO! (10)© Getty

"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 notice read.

Why Prince William doesn't wear a wedding ring unlike wife Kate Middleton | HELLO! (11)© Getty

The tradition of women wearing wedding rings dates back to ancient Egypt, but it was only in the latter part of the last century that a small number of grooms started doing the same. World War II is thought to have triggered a seismic shift, with many Western men fighting overseas choosing to wear bands as a reminder of their wives and families back home.

A wedding band is usually worn on the fourth finger of the left hand because of an ancient belief that there was a vein running directly from that finger to the heart, which the Romans called 'vena amoris' – 'vein of love'.

Why Prince William doesn't wear a wedding ring unlike wife Kate Middleton | HELLO! (12)© Getty

Princess Kate's ring is made from gold taken from the Clogau St David's mine at Bontddu in north Wales.

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Gold from the Clogau St David's mine has been used for a number of royal wedding bands, including those for the late Queen, the Queen Mother and the late Diana, Princess of Wales. The late Queen was presented with a fresh supply of gold by the mine in 1986 and it was from this that Kate's ring was made.

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Why Prince William doesn't wear a wedding ring unlike wife Kate Middleton | HELLO! (2024)

FAQs

Why Prince William doesn't wear a wedding ring unlike wife Kate Middleton | HELLO!? ›

"Although it's traditional for royal women to wear both an engagement ring and a wedding ring after they get married, it's never been traditional for royal men to wear one," the royal expert said. "That's why Prince Philip and Prince William don't wear them.

Why isn't Kate Middleton wearing her wedding ring? ›

Notably, when engaging with medical staff or visiting hospitals, like the Evelina London Children's Hospital, Kate also removes her ring to avoid it being a health and safety or hygiene hazard.

Why do the royals not wear wedding rings? ›

It's a holdover from a time when men wore no jewelry apart from signet rings. It's not just them. Aristocratic men in general aren't fans of wedding rings. William reportedly also dislikes wearing jewelry generally.

Why did Prince William not watch Kate walk down the aisle? ›

As Kate processed down the aisle with her father, Michael Middleton, the prince remained facing forward for the entirety of her roughly four-minute march to keep in line with British wedding traditions, which typically see the groom and his best man looking straight ahead until the bride arrives at the altar.

Whose ring did William give Kate? ›

What ring did William give Kate? William proposed to Catherine in October 2010 with his mother's engagement ring, a 12 carat sapphire encircled by diamonds.

Why does Prince Harry not wear a wedding ring? ›

He decided he didn't want to wear one now. It's all down to personal preference." Much like his grandson, the late Prince Phillip also opted not to wear a ring during his 73-year-long marriage to The Queen. On the other hand, Prince Harry was happy to wear a ring - but wanted to make sure it was the right one for him.

Why did Meghan Markle change her wedding ring? ›

There have been multiple theories as to why Meghan removed her ring. A source told Page Six in August 2023 that she took her bauble to the jewelers to receive repairs. When the royal still wasn't seen without the rock three months later, rumors about a possible redesign started to emerge.

Do Meghan and Harry have to curtsy to William and Kate? ›

Because Catherine Princess of Wales is our next Queen as she married to Prince William therefore, is higher up in the line of succession. Markle is not in the line of succession but her husband Harry is 5th in line. They both have to curtsy/bow to Chathrine and William.

What did Harry say to William when he saw Kate walking down the aisle? ›

Well, she looks beautiful, I can tell you that.”

Why did Harry give William Diana's ring? ›

"The papers published florid stories about the moment I realised Willy and Kate were well matched, the moment I appreciated the depth of their love and thus decided to gift Willy the ring I'd inherited from Mummy, the legendary sapphire, a tender moment between brothers, a bonding moment for all three of us, and ...

Why does Princess Kate wear 3 rings? ›

The duch*ess of Cambridge usually wears the third ring with her engagement ring and wedding band. It is Annoushka Eclipse Diamond Eternity Ring.

Who has Princess Diana's engagement ring now? ›

Following her engagement to Prince Charles (now King Charles III) in 1981, Princess Diana's sapphire ring has influenced couples and inspired jewelry trends for decades—and now, it lives on through her daughter-in-law, Kate Middleton, who was gifted the gemstone by Prince William when he proposed in 2010.

Why isn't Kate wearing a ring in photo? ›

According to the magazine, a palace insider simply pointed out that Kate was at home and posed for a photo taken by her husband. It is also likely that Kate needed to remove her jewelry when she underwent an abdominal procedure in January. Many doctors require patients to take off any personal items before a surgery.

Did Kate alter her engagement ring? ›

Five months later, Kate and William exchanged vows at Westminster Abbey on 29 April 2011. Kate isn't the only royal bride who has altered her engagement ring though, as Meghan Markle also changed the precious ring she received from Prince Harry.

How much is duch*ess Kate's ring worth? ›

"However, the Princess of Wales sets herself apart from the rest of her family by wearing her £390,000 heirloom ring just as she received it. She revealed at a recent public event that she has never altered the ring and it remains the same as it was when worn by Princess Diana."

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