William's Wedding Band: Why He Doesn't Wear It

Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, has never worn a wedding ring. He married Kate Middleton in 2011, and the couple announced that he would not be wearing a wedding band before the ceremony. The reason for this is simple: he doesn't like wearing jewellery. This is not an uncommon decision, as many men in the upper classes in Britain choose not to wear a wedding ring.

Prince William's personal preference

Prince William's decision not to wear a wedding band stems from his personal preference. The Prince of Wales, who married Kate Middleton in 2011, has never been seen wearing a wedding ring. According to a statement released by St. James's Palace before the wedding, William opted not to wear a ring because he does not like jewellery.

"He’s not one for jewellery," a palace aide explained, "He’s never worn any. He decided he didn’t want to wear one now. It’s all down to personal preference."

William's choice is in line with historical aristocratic etiquette, where it was traditionally not customary for gentlemen to wear jewellery. While the tradition of women wearing wedding rings dates back to ancient Egypt, men only started wearing wedding bands during World War II when soldiers fighting overseas wanted a reminder of their families back home.

Even today, men of a certain social class often choose not to wear a wedding band. For example, former Prime Minister David Cameron does not wear a wedding ring. Etiquette expert William Hanson commented:

> "It is not unusual at all for men from the upper sets in Britain to shun wearing a wedding band...This is not because of any intentions that they may wish to play away from home once married, but because it was traditionally not the done thing for gentlemen to wear jewellery."

William's decision is also in keeping with the tradition of other male royals, such as his grandfather, Prince Philip, who was married to Queen Elizabeth II for 73 years and never wore a wedding ring.

Historical aristocratic dress codes

Prince William's decision not to wear a wedding band is rooted in historical aristocratic dress codes. For most men, wearing a wedding band is a tradition. However, male royals often prefer to go without, a choice that stems from historical aristocratic etiquette.

The tradition of wearing wedding bands for women is believed to date back to ancient Egypt, where reeds and gold rushes were twisted into small ring-like braids. In contrast, men only started wearing wedding rings during World War II when soldiers fighting overseas wanted a reminder of their families back home.

While the practice of wearing wedding bands became commonplace for men in the UK, it was not widely adopted by the royal family and aristocracy. Prince William's choice to forgo a wedding band aligns with the traditional norms of upper-class British society, where it is considered unusual for men to wear jewellery. This preference for minimal jewellery serves as a subtle indicator of social class and stems from the belief that gentlemen should not adorn themselves with ornaments.

However, there is an exception to this non-jewellery rule – the signet ring. Signet rings, often featuring a family crest, are considered acceptable for aristocratic men to wear as they signify lineage and heritage.

Historically, aristocratic dress codes served as a means to reaffirm the legal status of royalty and aristocracy, reinforcing their privilege and influence. The elaborate and opulent nature of aristocratic attire reflected power rankings and was subject to strict regulations. Over time, these dress codes evolved, with the Georgian period ushering in a more practical and understated style influenced by the 'country gentleman' look.

Today, formal dress codes like 'White Tie' and 'Black Tie' are rarely seen outside of royalty and high society events, preserving an air of exclusivity and elegance.

Prince William's wedding to Kate Middleton

On 29 April 2011, Prince William and Catherine (Kate) Middleton were married at Westminster Abbey in London. The couple had been in a relationship since 2003 and got engaged in October 2010 while on holiday in Kenya.

The wedding ceremony was conducted by the Dean of Westminster, John Hall, and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, married the couple. The Bishop of London, Richard Chartres, gave the address, and a reading was given by Catherine's brother, James. Prince William's best man was his brother, Prince Harry, and Catherine's sister, Philippa (Pippa) Middleton, was her maid of honour.

The bride's gown was designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen and featured an ivory satin bodice with an overlaid long-sleeved V-neck lace bodice and appliquéd full skirt with box pleats. Her bouquet included myrtle, lily-of-the-valley, sweet William, ivy, myrtle, and hyacinth. The groom wore the mounted officer's uniform of the Irish Guards, with the regiment's full dress uniform and a scarlet tunic.

The wedding was attended by approximately 1,900 guests, including the couple's families, members of foreign royal families, diplomats, and personal guests. The ceremony was also viewed live by tens of millions of people worldwide, with an estimated two billion people tuning in.

After the ceremony, the newlyweds, now known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, travelled in a horse-drawn carriage procession to Buckingham Palace, where they appeared on the balcony to watch a flypast. The Queen hosted a reception for the couple and their guests, and the Prince of Wales hosted a private dinner in the evening.

The wedding cake was a multi-tiered traditional fruit cake decorated with cream and white icing, made by Fiona Cairns. In keeping with tradition, Catherine's wedding bouquet was returned to Westminster Abbey and placed on the Grave of the Unknown Warrior.

Prince William chose not to wear a wedding band, citing personal preference and his dislike of jewellery. This decision aligns with historical aristocratic etiquette, where it was not customary for men to wear jewellery.

The tradition of wedding rings for men

Wedding rings have been a symbol of commitment, love, and devotion for thousands of years. The tradition of exchanging rings dates back 3,000 years, with the ancient Egyptians being the first to use rings to represent eternity. The circle, with no beginning or end, reflects the shape of the sun and moon, which the Egyptians worshipped.

However, the history of men's wedding rings is a bit more recent. Men started wearing wedding bands during World War I, with soldiers fighting overseas wanting a reminder of their wives and families back home. This tradition continued during World War II, and by the mid-twentieth century, men's wedding rings had become more widely adopted.

In Western culture, wedding rings are typically worn on the base of the left ring finger, due to the ancient belief in the "vena amoris" or "vein of love," which was thought to run directly from the left ring finger to the heart.

While wedding rings are now common for men, there are still some traditions and social circles where men do not wear them. For example, in the British upper classes, it is not unusual for men to shun wedding bands, with gentlemen traditionally not wearing jewellery. This includes some members of the royal family, such as Prince William, who does not wear a wedding ring, and Prince Philip, who also chose not to wear one.

So, while the tradition of men's wedding rings has evolved over time, there are still varying customs and preferences surrounding their wear.

The British upper class and jewellery

Jewellery has long been a way for the British upper class to display their wealth and status. While the upper classes may wear fewer pieces of jewellery, the pieces they do wear are often more expensive and made from precious metals and stones. For example, in Victorian Britain, jewellery was the most expensive item listed in the Army & Navy circulars, with a sapphire and diamond butterfly hair brooch costing the equivalent of £5,500 in today's money.

The British upper classes also tend to favour more discreet and understated pieces, with less emphasis on branding and logos. For example, while both the upper and lower classes may shop at the same high-street outlet, the upper classes are more likely to choose pieces with discreet logos. Similarly, upper-class men tend to wear more understated and discreet watches, usually with a simple leather strap.

The upper classes also tend to follow trends less closely than the lower classes, instead favouring classic and timeless pieces that will stand the test of time. This may be because the upper classes have the financial means to invest in higher-quality, long-lasting pieces, while the lower classes may be more influenced by fast fashion trends that are constantly changing.

Signet rings are a common piece of jewellery among the British upper classes, particularly for men. Signet rings often feature a family crest and are seen as a symbol of lineage and heritage. Other types of rings, such as wedding bands, are less common among upper-class men, as it was traditionally not considered appropriate for gentlemen to wear jewellery. However, this tradition has evolved over time, and now many upper-class men do wear wedding bands, although it may still be more common for those from "old money" to forego the tradition.

Overall, jewellery choices among the British upper classes tend to be more conservative, understated, and classic, reflecting their financial means and social status.

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