Many people are quick to notice the times Kate Middleton goes without wearing her engagement ring, the diamond and sapphire heirloom that used to belong to Princess Diana, or her wedding band. But not many have called out the absence of the usual accessory that most married people wear on their left ring finger as far as Prince William’s case. Well, there’s a specific reason why the Prince of Wales doesn’t wear a wedding ring — and never has since marrying Kate Middleton on April 29, 2011.
It has nothing to do with the state of the couple’s marriage.
The decision for William not to wear a ring was made before he and Kate got married. In 2011, a spokesperson for the couple told US Weekly, “There will only be one ring, which is in accordance with the wishes of Prince William and Catherine. It’s quite common for there to just be the one ring in society or royal weddings. It’s been the same in other royal weddings, so it’s not a rare occurrence.”
Prince William doesn’t prefer to wear jewelry.
In December 2023, The Mirror reported that a month before the couple wed, a Palace insider gave more insight into why the particular decision was made. “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.”
Both William and Kate had a hand in designing her wedding ring.
“Catherine will wear a ring fashioned from a lump of Welsh gold owned by the Royal Family that has been smelted down,” the insider continued at the time. “The couple have both had a hand in the design. This is the ring Prince Harry will carry and hand over in the traditional way.” The ring is made from a piece of gold that was gifted by the late Queen Elizabeth.
Other royal men have also gone without wedding bands.
Prince Philip, the late grandfather of William who was married to Queen Elizabeth for 73 years before he died in April 2021, also didn’t wear a wedding ring. In 2018 Eloise Parker, a Royal expert, told Marie Claire 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!”
Prince Harry does wear a ring.
Prince Harry made the decision to wear a wedding ban when he married Meghan Markle in May 2018. “While his choice left some surprised, for royals deciding on rings today, it is much more about personal preference than tradition,” The Mirror said. “According to reports, Harry was after a more modern and sleek design for the special piece of jewelry.”