Franklin Dean
Prince William has never worn a wedding ring, despite being married to Kate Middleton since 2011. The couple announced he would be going ring-free ahead of their wedding, and a source close to the Palace explained that he's not one for jewelry. Royal commentator Eloise Parker added that it has never been traditional for royal men to wear wedding rings, and that when a wedding is watched by millions, everyone knows you're married.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Prince William |
| Wedding date | 2011 |
| Spouse | Kate Middleton |
| Reason for not wearing a wedding ring | It is not a tradition for royal men to wear wedding rings. William is not a fan of jewellery and has never worn any. |
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What You'll Learn
Prince William's choice not to wear a wedding ring
Prince William, the Prince of Wales, has never worn a wedding ring, even on his wedding day in 2011. While this choice has attracted attention, it is not uncommon for royal men to forgo wedding bands. Royal commentator Eloise Parker noted in 2018 that:
> "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. 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."
William's decision to go ring-free is simply down to personal preference, with a Palace aide explaining, " [William is] 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."
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Royal tradition and history
The wedding ring is a universal symbol of commitment and love. The tradition of exchanging rings dates back 3,000 years, with the first diamond wedding ring recorded in the will of a widow who died in the 1300s or 1400s. The ancient Egyptians believed that the ring finger on the left hand contained the "vena amoris" or "vein of love" that led directly to the heart. The Romans adopted this belief and wore wedding rings on their ring finger, a tradition that continues to this day.
In ancient Rome, wedding rings were associated with the marital dowry and later with a promise of fidelity. The custom of exchanging rings was also practised in ancient Greece and Egypt, where Egyptian pharaohs used rings to represent eternity as a circle has no beginning and no end. During the Middle Ages, wedding rings began to be set with precious gems, with different stones symbolising different things. For example, Medieval Europeans used rubies to symbolise passion, sapphires to symbolise the heavens, and diamonds to symbolise steadfast strength.
In the Western Christian tradition, wedding rings are exchanged during the celebration of holy matrimony, with both spouses giving and receiving rings. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, wedding rings are traditionally worn on the right hand. During World War II, British wartime restrictions limited the manufacture of jewellery, resulting in "utility" wedding rings made of 9-carat gold instead of the traditional 22-carat gold.
In the case of the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge's wedding ring was fashioned from a piece of Welsh gold given to Prince William by the Queen shortly after the engagement was announced. The couple chose Wartski, a family jewellery business founded in 1865, to make the ring.
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Kate Middleton's wedding and engagement rings
Kate Middleton's engagement and wedding rings are among the most famous pieces of jewellery in the world.
When Prince William proposed to Middleton in 2010, he did so with his mother Princess Diana's engagement ring. The ring features a large sapphire surrounded by 14 diamonds and is considered priceless due to its extensive history.
Following their wedding on 29 April 2011, Middleton added a thin Welsh gold wedding band to her left ring finger. The wedding ring was made from gold that was an engagement gift to the couple from Queen Elizabeth. It is a long-standing tradition for royal brides to receive a wedding band made of Welsh gold.
In 2013, Middleton's ring stack expanded once more when Prince William gave her a white gold and diamond eternity band from Annoushka as a gift following the birth of their first son, Prince George.
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Prince William's wedding to Kate Middleton in 2011
On 29 April 2011, Prince William and Kate Middleton got married at Westminster Abbey in London, England. The couple first met while studying at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. Their wedding was a lavish affair, with an estimated two billion viewers tuning in to watch the ceremony. The wedding dress, designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen, cost nearly half a million pounds and has since become iconic. Middleton's wedding band was crafted from Welsh gold, and she also wore a 12-carat sapphire and diamond engagement ring that once belonged to Princess Diana.
Prince William, on the other hand, did not wear a wedding band. This decision was attributed to his personal preference, as he is "not one for jewellery". A palace spokesperson confirmed before the wedding that "there is only going to be one ring, in accordance with the couple's wishes". This choice aligns with a broader tradition within the royal family, as William's grandfather, Prince Philip, also opted not to wear a wedding band during his marriage to Queen Elizabeth II.
Following their wedding, the newly titled Duke and Duchess of Cambridge travelled in a horse-drawn carriage procession to Buckingham Palace, where they were greeted by well-wishers. The couple has since welcomed three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. Despite some challenges and rumours of infidelity, William and Middleton have maintained a united front, presenting themselves as a devoted couple and parents.
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Why Prince William doesn't wear a wedding ring
Prince William has never worn a wedding ring, even on his wedding day. A month before his wedding to Kate Middleton in April 2011, St. James Palace announced that William would not be given a ring when he and Kate exchanged vows.
There are a few reasons why Prince William does not wear a wedding ring. Firstly, it is not common for royal men to wear wedding rings. Royal commentator Eloise Parker told Marie Claire in 2018:
> "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. 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."
Another reason is that Prince William is not a fan of jewellery. A source told the Mirror, "He’s not one for jewelry. He’s never worn any. He decided he didn’t want to wear one now. It’s all down to personal preference."
Prince William's decision to forego a wedding band is not an uncommon one, with more and more men choosing to go wedding ring-free.
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Frequently asked questions
Prince William has never worn a wedding ring. According to a source, "he's not one for jewellery".
Yes, it is common for male British royals to not wear wedding rings. It has been described as a "tradition" for royal men to not wear wedding bands.
Yes, Kate Middleton wore a wedding ring. She worked with the Bristol jewelry company Wartski to design the piece.
Yes, Prince William gave Kate Middleton an engagement ring. It was Princess Diana's engagement ring.
