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It is well-known that Prince William does not wear a wedding ring, unlike his brother, Prince Harry, who wears a platinum wedding band. This sparked speculation about the reason behind his decision. However, it is not uncommon for male royals to opt out of wearing wedding rings, as Prince William's grandfather, Prince Philip, also did not wear one. A spokesperson for the palace commented that Prince William's decision was due to his personal preference, as he is not one for jewelry.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for not wearing a wedding ring | It's not his style, he's not one for jewellery |
| Tradition for male royals | It has never been traditional for royal men to wear wedding rings |
| Other male royals who don't wear wedding rings | Prince Philip, Prince William's grandfather |
| Wedding ring details | There was only going to be one ring, in accordance with the couple's wishes |
| Father's wedding ring | King Charles wears a wedding band, sometimes spotted under his signet ring |
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What You'll Learn
Prince William's personal preference
Prince William's decision to forgo a wedding band is simply a matter of personal preference. He has never been a fan of jewellery and has never worn any. According to a source, "he decided he didn’t want to wear one now. It’s all down to personal preference."
The Duke of Cambridge's choice not to wear a wedding ring is in keeping with royal tradition for men. While it is customary for royal women to wear both an engagement ring and a wedding ring, it has never been traditional for royal men to do the same. Prince William's father, King Charles, does wear a wedding band, but he wears it on his little finger, whereas Prince William has never worn a wedding band since marrying Kate Middleton in 2011.
In the lead-up to the wedding, St. James Palace announced that William would not be given a ring when he and Kate exchanged vows. A palace spokesperson stated, "There is only going to be one ring, in accordance with the couple’s wishes." This decision sparked speculation, with some sources suggesting that the reason for this was that Prince William is "not one for jewellery."
It is worth noting that Prince William's choice to forgo a wedding band is not an uncommon one, even outside of royal circles. More and more men are choosing to go wedding ring-free, and within the royal family, Prince William's late grandfather, Prince Philip, also opted out of wearing a wedding band during his 73-year marriage to Queen Elizabeth.
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Royal tradition for men
Royal men not wearing wedding rings is a tradition that dates back to the marriage of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in 1947. Prince Philip, who was married to the Queen for 73 years before his death in 2021, did not wear a wedding band. Their grandson, Prince William, also chose not to wear a wedding ring when he married Kate Middleton in 2011. A palace spokesperson said, "There is only going to be one ring, in accordance with the couple's wishes."
Prince William's decision to forgo a wedding band is reportedly due to his personal preference and style. A source close to the couple shared that "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." Another source added that "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."
While it is uncommon for royal men to wear wedding rings, there have been exceptions. Notably, Prince William's father, King Charles, wears a wedding band, although it is sometimes hidden underneath his signet ring. Similarly, Prince Harry broke with royal tradition by wearing a platinum wedding band with a textured finish when he married Meghan Markle in 2018.
The tradition of men exchanging wedding bands with their brides during the vows is a relatively modern custom. According to experts, it became popular during World War II, as men wanted a reminder of their wives and families back home. Men's wedding rings gained further popularity in the 1960s and 1970s with the increasing trend of men's jewellery such as neck chains and bracelets.
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Prince Philip didn't wear one
It is true that Prince Philip, the patriarch of the royal family, did not wear a wedding ring throughout his 73-year marriage to Queen Elizabeth II. This was in keeping with a long-standing tradition among royal men.
According to royal commentator Eloise Parker, "it's never been traditional for royal men to wear" wedding rings. This is in contrast to royal women, who are expected to wear both an engagement ring and a wedding ring after their marriage. Parker suggests that this tradition may have arisen because royal weddings are so public and widely known that a wedding ring is not necessary to signify the marriage.
Another factor to consider is the time of Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth's wedding in 1947. Men's wedding rings only became popular in the 1960s and 1970s, so it would not have been the tradition for Prince Philip to wear one when he married.
It is worth noting that some royal men have chosen to wear wedding rings, such as Prince Harry, who wears a platinum band, and King Charles, who wears his wedding band stacked with a signet ring on his pinky finger. However, Prince William has followed in his grandfather Prince Philip's footsteps and does not wear a wedding band, citing his preference for not wearing jewellery.
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Prince Harry broke tradition
Harry's decision to wear a wedding band sets him apart from other royal men in the family, like his brother, Prince William, and his grandfather, Prince Philip, who have chosen not to wear wedding rings. A source speaking to the Mirror said that William's decision not to wear a wedding band came down to his personal preference and style. "He's not one for jewellery," the source explained. "He decided he didn't want to wear one now. It's all down to personal preference."
Royal commentator Eloise Parker added more context to the tradition, explaining 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." This tradition dates back to the marriages of royal couples during World War II, when men wanted a reminder of their wives and families back home.
However, Prince Harry is known for his willingness to break with royal tradition, and his choice to wear a wedding ring is just one example of his modern approach to royal life.
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Popularity in the 60s and 70s
The rise in popularity of men's wedding rings has been part of a broader trend in men's jewellery, which can be traced back to the 1960s and 1970s. During this time, Continental fashions for men's neck chains and bracelets became popular in the UK. This trend was influenced by the arrival of "Continental fashions" from Europe, which included jewellery such as necklaces and bracelets.
In the 1950s and 1960s, diamond culture was at its peak. Diamonds, marketed by De Beers, became a popular way for men to demonstrate their earning power and show their partner that she was "worth it". The percentage of brides in the United States who received diamond engagement rings increased from 10% in 1939 to 80% in 1990 due to De Beers' marketing efforts.
During the 1960s and 1970s, the exchange of wedding rings between partners became more common, with around 50% of men choosing to wear them. However, it was still not unusual for men to forgo wedding rings during this time, especially in certain professions or if the jewellery was seen as impractical for work. For example, men who worked in construction or machine shops might choose not to wear a ring to avoid injury or because it was not practical.
The tradition of men wearing wedding rings can be traced back to World War II, when American and European soldiers began to wear them as a way to remember their wives and partners back home. This tradition continued through the Korean War and gradually spread to civilians as well. Over time, wedding rings for men became more accepted and popular, although it was still a personal choice and not all men chose to wear them.
While the exchange of wedding rings has become a staple in weddings around the world, with both partners often exchanging rings as a symbol of their love and commitment, it is worth noting that this practice is not universal. The way wedding rings are worn, and the customs surrounding them, can vary across different cultures and countries.
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Frequently asked questions
It is not a royal tradition for men to wear wedding rings. Prince William, for example, has never worn a wedding band, as he is "not one for jewellery".
Yes, Prince William's father, King Charles, wears a wedding band, sometimes spotted underneath his signet ring. Prince Harry also wears a platinum wedding band.
According to experts, men started exchanging wedding bands with their brides during World War II as a reminder of their wives and families back home. Wedding rings for men became popular in the 1960s and 1970s.
