George Boyle
Prince William, the Prince of Wales, has never worn a wedding ring. A month before his wedding to Kate Middleton in 2011, St. James Palace announced that William would not be given a ring when he and Kate exchanged vows. Royal commentator Eloise Parker told Marie Claire in 2018 that it has never been traditional for royal men to wear one.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Prince William |
| Wedding date | 29 April 2011 |
| Wedding venue | Westminster Abbey |
| Spouse | Kate Middleton |
| Reason for not wearing a wedding ring | Not a fan of wearing jewellery, according to Hello Magazine. |
| Royal tradition for men | It is not traditional for royal men to wear wedding rings. |
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What You'll Learn
Prince William has never worn a wedding ring
A royal spokesperson told Us Weekly: "There will only be one ring, which is in accordance with the wishes of Prince William and Catherine." A source speaking to the Mirror at the time of William and Kate's wedding also said that the decision came down to the future king's style preferences: "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."
Royal commentator Eloise Parker has also provided context for William's decision, explaining that "it's never been traditional for royal men to wear [wedding rings]." She added that "when you have a wedding watched by millions, everyone knows you're married." William's late grandfather, Prince Philip, who was married to Queen Elizabeth for 73 years, also chose not to wear a wedding band.
While William's father, King Charles III, and brother, Prince Harry, wear wedding bands, William has never owned one and has simply chosen to follow in the footsteps of other royal men by forgoing the tradition.
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It's not traditional for royal men to wear wedding rings
When Prince William married Kate Middleton in 2011, he decided not to wear a wedding band—and he has stuck with that decision to the present day. This is not because he misplaced it or wanted to redesign it, but because he never owned one in the first place. A month before the wedding, St. James Palace announced that William would not be given a ring when he and Kate exchanged vows.
William is not the first royal man to eschew the tradition of wearing a wedding ring. His grandfather, Prince Philip, who was married to Queen Elizabeth for 73 years before his death in 2021, did not wear a wedding band. However, William's father, King Charles, and brother, Prince Harry, do wear wedding bands.
According to royal commentator Eloise Parker, "it's never been traditional for royal men to wear [wedding rings]." She told Marie Claire in 2018: "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 source suggested that William's decision simply came down to style and personal preference: "He's not one for jewelry. He decided he didn't want to wear one now."
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Kate Middleton's wedding ring was made from Welsh gold
The use of Welsh gold in royal weddings began with the marriage of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, and the future King George VI. The tradition has since been upheld by several royal brides, including the Queen Mother's daughter, Princess Margaret, Queen Elizabeth II, and Princess Diana. The gold for these weddings came from the same source: the Clogau-St. David's Gold Mine in Bontddu, Wales.
In 2018, the mine released three pure gold "Tyn-y-Cornel" coins, marking the first new production from the mine in years. The coins were auctioned off, providing an opportunity to own a piece of royal history.
Kate's wedding band holds both symbolic and sentimental value. It represents her vows and marriage to Prince William, who notably does not wear a wedding ring. Following their wedding in 2011, Prince William was often spotted without a ring, leading to speculation about his decision. A royal insider revealed that William's choice not to wear a ring came down to personal preference, as he has never been one for jewelry.
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William's father and brother wear wedding bands
Prince William's decision to forgo a wedding ring is well-known, with royal watchers noting that the Prince of Wales has never worn a wedding band since marrying Kate Middleton in April 2011. This decision was made before the wedding, with St. James Palace announcing a month prior that William would not be given a ring when he and Kate exchanged vows.
In contrast, William's father, King Charles III, and brother, Prince Harry, both wear wedding bands. Charles's ring was gifted to him by his wife, Queen Camilla, on their wedding day in 2005. He wears it on his pinky finger, stacked beneath his signet ring, which bears the seal of the Prince of Wales. The signet ring was passed down to him by his uncle, Prince Edward, the Duke of Windsor, and is the only ring that Charles always wears.
Harry, on the other hand, chose a textured platinum band for his wedding ring, crafted by London's Cleave & Company. This was a break from the traditional Welsh gold typically favoured by the royal family. Harry's choice to wear a wedding ring is also a departure from the tradition of royal men, who have historically opted not to wear one.
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The decision was down to personal preference
Prince William has never worn a wedding ring, and this was a decision he made before marrying Kate Middleton in 2011. At the time, a royal spokesperson told Us Weekly: "There will only be one ring, which is in accordance with the wishes of Prince William and Catherine".
William's decision to forego a wedding band was announced a month before the royal wedding. A palace insider told the Mirror that it was not unusual for the prince as he was "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".
Royal commentator Eloise Parker also weighed in on the matter, stating that it has never been traditional for royal men to wear wedding rings. She added that when millions of people watch a royal wedding, everyone knows about the marriage, with or without a ring.
Prince William's father, King Charles, and brother, Prince Harry, both wear wedding bands. Harry's ring is a platinum band with a textured finish made from Welsh gold.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Prince William does not wear a wedding ring.
Prince William has never worn a wedding ring, as he is "not one for jewellery". This was confirmed by the palace when he married Kate Middleton in 2011.
No, it is not unusual for royal men to opt against wearing wedding rings. Royal commentator Eloise Parker notes that "it's never been traditional for royal men to wear" wedding rings.
