Princess Kate's engagement ring is one of the most iconic pieces of jewellery in history. Not only does it boast the incredible legacy of having been first owned by the late Princess Diana, but it has sparked a huge trend for sapphire jewellery ever since William popped the question in October 2010.
Following their 2011 nuptials, Kate added a gold wedding band to her ring stack. In the years since their fairytale union, however, the Prince of Wales has never sported a ring, despite his brother, Prince Harry always wearing his.
© GettyThe answer is simple - the Prince of Wales does not like jewellery of any kind and that has always been the case. A month before their 2011 wedding, St. James' Palace announced that William would not be given a ring when he and his bride exchanged vows at Westminster Abbey.
A palace insider revealed at that time to The Mirror that William’s choice was one related to personal style. "He’s not one for jewellery," they explained. "He’s never worn any. He decided he didn't want to wear one now. It’s all down to personal preference."
© GettyMeanwhile, in 2018, royal commentator Eloise Parker weighed in on the debate in an interview with Marie Claire. "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," the royal expert said. "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."
Royal wedding rings
Despite being married to the late Queen for over 70 years, Prince Philip never wore a wedding ring either. In comparison, William's father King Charles does wear one – a signet ring on the little finger of his left hand.
While the King wears a classic gold band, Harry is thought to have wanted a more modern look for the special piece of jewellery, choosing a sleek platinum design instead. Harry and Meghan asked court jewellers Cleave and Company to create their wedding jewellery, which the palace revealed in a statement just before the royal wedding.
© Getty"Ms. Markle's ring has been fashioned from a piece of Welsh Gold, gifted by Her Majesty The Queen. Prince Harry's ring will be a Platinum Band with a textured finish. Both rings were crafted in the Cleave workshop," the notice read.
The tradition of women wearing wedding rings dates back to ancient Egypt, but it was only in the latter part of the last century that a small number of grooms started doing the same. World War II is thought to have triggered a seismic shift, with many Western men fighting overseas choosing to wear bands as a reminder of their wives and families back home.
A wedding band is usually worn on the fourth finger of the left hand because of an ancient belief that there was a vein running directly from that finger to the heart, which the Romans called 'vena amoris', meaning 'vein of love'.
Princess Kate's wedding ring
© GettyPrincess Kate's ring is made from gold taken from the Clogau St David's mine at Bontddu in north Wales.
Gold from the Clogau St David's mine has been used for a number of royal wedding bands, including those for the late Queen, the Queen Mother and the late Diana, Princess of Wales. The late Queen was presented with a fresh supply of gold by the mine in 1986, and it was from this that Kate's ring was made.
Over the years, Kate has added to her ring stack, sporting dazzling sentimental eternity bands as well as her Clogau wedding band and her iconic 12-carat sapphire engagement ring.
© GettyHer eternity bands include a $2,500 Annoushka diamond ring gifted by Prince William after Prince George’s birth, a $5,500 diamond-and-sapphire Cartier band she debuted during her cancer recovery, and a thin pavé diamond band first seen at the Duchess of Kent’s funeral.
This multi-ring style is both beautiful and practical. During her recent chemotherapy treatments and recovery, Kate frequently left her heavy sapphire ring safely at home, opting to wear just her comfortable gold wedding band stacked with her lightweight eternity rings.
