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Kate Middleton's wedding ring is a thin gold band made from Welsh gold, which was an engagement gift to her and Prince William from Queen Elizabeth. In addition to her wedding band, she also wears a sapphire and diamond eternity band, which was reportedly given to her by William on their 13th wedding anniversary. In recent years, Middleton has chosen not to wear her engagement ring on certain appearances, opting instead for a stack of eternity bands.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Owner of the wedding ring | Kate Middleton |
| Material | Welsh gold |
| Design | Thin gold wedding band |
| Designer | Kate Middleton and Prince William, with Bristol jewelry company Wartski |
| Date received | 29 April 2011 |
| Significance | Symbol of love, legacy, and continuity of the royal family |
| Estimated worth | £300,000 to £400,000 |
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What You'll Learn
Kate Middleton's wedding ring is made of Welsh gold
Kate Middleton's wedding ring is steeped in history and tradition. When she married Prince William on 29 April 2011, she followed in the footsteps of previous royal brides by choosing a wedding band made of Welsh gold. This continued an 88-year-old tradition dating back to the marriage of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, and the future King George VI in 1923. The gold for their wedding bands was sourced from the Clogau-St. David's Gold Mine in Bontddu, Wales, which was believed to be the richest gold mine in the United Kingdom.
The tradition of using Welsh gold for royal wedding bands was started by Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, and has been continued by several generations of royal brides. In 1923, she chose a wedding band made of pure gold from the Clogau mine, using a nugget of gold that had been given to the royal family. This set a precedent, and the stock of the original Clogau gift was carefully managed and replenished over the years with donations from other Welsh mines.
Kate Middleton's wedding ring is a thin gold band that she allegedly designed with her husband, Prince William, and a Bristol jewellery company called Wartski. The gold used to create her ring was an engagement gift to the couple from Queen Elizabeth. Prince Harry, in his 2023 memoir, Spare, revealed that he was entrusted with carrying the "thin band of Welsh gold" on his brother's wedding day. He wrote about how the gold had been "shaved off a hunk given to the royal family nearly a century before" and how there was just enough left for his brother's wedding band.
The Welsh gold used for Kate Middleton's wedding ring holds a special significance, not only because it continues a long-standing royal tradition but also because it symbolises the couple's connection to Wales and the British monarchy. The gold's historical value and rarity add to its allure, making it a cherished part of Kate Middleton's ring collection.
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The gold was a gift from Queen Elizabeth
Kate Middleton's wedding ring is a thin gold wedding band that she added to her ring collection after her wedding to Prince William on April 29, 2011. The gold used to make the ring was a gift from Queen Elizabeth, which was mined from the Clogau-St David's Gold Mine in Bontddu, Wales. The use of Welsh gold for wedding rings is a tradition in the royal family, with Queen Elizabeth, Princess Margaret, Princess Anne, Princess Diana, and Queen Camilla all having wedding bands made from the same source.
The tradition of using Welsh gold for royal wedding rings began with Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret, who were the first to use gold from the Clogau-St David's Gold Mine in Wales for their wedding bands. This gold came from the same mine that produced the gold used for Kate Middleton's wedding ring. The use of Welsh gold continued with Princess Anne and Princess Diana, who also had wedding bands made from the same source.
The Clogau-St David's Gold Mine in Wales was once the richest gold mine in the United Kingdom. However, by the time of Prince Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle in 2018, there was only enough gold left for one more wedding band. Prince Harry wrote in his 2023 memoir, Spare, that he was entrusted with carrying the thin band of Welsh gold that would become Kate Middleton's wedding ring on his brother's wedding day. He also noted that the gold supply was nearly exhausted, and it was only enough to create one more ring, which would become Meghan Markle's wedding band.
The Welsh gold used for Kate Middleton's wedding ring holds significant meaning for the royal family. It represents a connection to the past and a continuity of tradition. The use of Welsh gold for royal wedding rings has become a symbol of the unity and resilience of the British monarchy, with Kate Middleton's ring serving as a reminder of this enduring tradition. The gold was a gift not only to Kate and William but also to the entire royal family, symbolizing the importance of their legacy and the support they received from Queen Elizabeth.
In addition to its historical and symbolic value, Welsh gold is also known for its premium quality and typically fetches a higher price than standard gold on the open market. The gold from the Clogau-St David's Gold Mine is particularly sought-after, contributing to the overall value and significance of Kate Middleton's wedding ring.
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She designed the ring with Prince William
Kate Middleton's wedding ring is a thin gold band made of Welsh gold, which was an engagement gift to her and Prince William from Queen Elizabeth. The couple allegedly designed the ring with Bristol jewellery company Wartski.
The design of the wedding ring may have been inspired by the history of Kate's engagement ring, which previously belonged to Princess Diana. The engagement ring is a 12-carat sapphire stone encircled with 14 diamonds, set in 18-karat white gold. The design of the ring dates back to 1840 when Prince Albert commissioned British jeweller Garrard to create a sapphire and diamond brooch for his future wife, Queen Victoria. Queen Victoria wore the brooch on her wedding day and continued to wear it until her death in 1861, after which it became a crown heirloom.
When Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton in 2010, he used Princess Diana's engagement ring, which she had left to her sons. The ring was instantly recognised as the same one that Prince Charles had given to Princess Diana in 1981. The ring was estimated to cost £28,000 at the time, but its value has increased significantly, with estimates ranging from £300,000 to £400,000.
The engagement ring has become a well-known and influential piece of jewellery, sparking a craze for sapphire engagement rings and inspiring many modern designs. It is a reminder of love, legacy, and the continuity of the royal family, symbolising the unity and resilience of the British monarchy.
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The ring was added to her collection in 2011
The wedding band was designed by the couple with the help of the Bristol jewellery company, Wartski. The ring joined her iconic engagement ring, which was previously owned by Princess Diana. The engagement ring features a 12-carat oval blue Ceylon sapphire surrounded by 14 solitaire diamonds. The design was inspired by a sapphire and diamond brooch that Queen Victoria received from Prince Albert, which she wore on her wedding day.
The addition of the wedding band to her collection in 2011 marked the beginning of a ring stack for the Princess of Wales. In 2013, she added a white gold and diamond eternity band from Annoushka, a gift from William after the birth of their first son. The Princess has continued to expand her ring collection, including a promise ring from William, which she wore in a video in 2024.
The Princess of Wales has been known to swap her engagement ring with a different sapphire and diamond band on certain occasions. Her ring stack has evolved to include multiple eternity bands, showcasing her modern and sophisticated style. The rings reflect her role as a mother and wife, chosen for their meaningfulness rather than overt luxury, aligning with her image of grace and modesty.
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She sometimes swaps her engagement ring for an eternity band
The Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, has been spotted without her iconic engagement ring, which once belonged to Princess Diana. Instead, she has been seen wearing a white gold and diamond eternity band. The eternity band was also briefly glimpsed in August 2024 when Kate and her husband, Prince William, joined Snoop Dog in celebration at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Kate's engagement ring is one of the most well-known and influential pieces of jewellery in the world. The 12-carat sapphire stone encircled with 14 diamonds is valued at over $500,000 and has a rich history and sentimental value. It was first given to Princess Diana by Prince Charles in 1981. Even after her divorce from Prince Charles, Diana continued to wear the ring as a symbol of her royal connection and her motherhood to Princes William and Harry.
The eternity band, worn on Kate's left ring finger, appears to have a thick gold band adorned with white diamonds and sapphires. Jewellery experts have speculated that the eternity band might be an older piece from Kate's collection or a gift from Prince William. The practicality of the new eternity ring has also been noted, as it is more suitable for daily wear compared to the larger engagement ring.
The Princess of Wales has been swapping her engagement ring in and out with different diamond and sapphire bands. This new approach to her ring finger styling for public appearances may reflect a more relaxed perspective on fashion. The eternity band has been worn by Kate on several occasions, including during a video updating the public on her cancer journey and in a congratulatory message to Team GB following their success at the Paris Olympics.
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Frequently asked questions
On her left ring finger, alongside her engagement ring and eternity band. The wedding ring is a thin gold band made from Welsh gold, which was a gift from Queen Elizabeth.
The gold used to make the ring was a gift from Queen Elizabeth to the couple on their engagement. The ring was designed by Kate and William with Bristol jewellery company Wartski.
Kate Middleton's engagement ring is a 12-carat oval blue sapphire surrounded by 14 diamonds, which once belonged to Princess Diana. She also wears a sapphire and diamond eternity band, which was reportedly a 13th-anniversary gift from William, and another slim eternity band.
