On April 29, 2011, the world watched in awe as Prince William married his long-time love, Catherine "Kate" Middleton. The wedding, which took place at Westminster Abbey in front of a throng of well-wishers, was also broadcast live for billions of royal fans worldwide. While the couple's wedding was nothing short of spectacular, many were left questioning why the newlywed groom did not sport a wedding ring. This raised eyebrows and sparked curiosity among royal watchers and fans alike.
Kate Middleton is often seen wearing her sentimental, "12-carat sapphire-and-diamond" engagement ring, along with an "18-karat [wedding] band made of Welsh gold," as noted by Vogue. In stark contrast, the Duke of Cambridge has chosen to bypass this royal tradition. While most male royals, like William's brother, Prince Harry, proudly wear their wedding bands, Prince William has opted out of wearing a shiny token of his wife's affection since their vows were exchanged. Let's explore the real reasons behind Prince William's decision to go ringless.
It's All About Preference
Ahead of the couple's televised royal wedding, there was significant chatter about whether Prince William would wear a wedding ring or not. Yes, it was a major topic of discussion! Due to the speculation and endless gossip circulating, an aide for the royal family decided to clarify the matter through the Daily Mail.
According to a senior royal source, Prince William had a discussion with his bride-to-be about whether he would wear a wedding band. Ultimately, he decided against it. "It is simply down to personal preference," the aide explained, justifying Prince William's choice. Nonetheless, during their splendid wedding ceremony at Westminster Abbey, he still presented his new bride with a wedding band made of Welsh gold, which beautifully complemented her spectacular sapphire engagement ring.
It's Not Required, Just Ask His Dad
While Prince William's brother, Prince Harry, has sported a sleek platinum ring since his wedding to Meghan Markle in May 2018, Prince William has taken a different path. He has chosen to forgo this customary tradition, and he is not alone in his decision. His grandfather, Prince Philip, hasn't worn a wedding ring since his wedding to Queen Elizabeth II on November 20, 1947.
Moreover, Prince William's father, Prince Charles, also does not wear a ring, at least not on his ring finger. Instead, during both of his marriages — to Princess Diana and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall — he has worn his wedding band alongside a fancy ring adorned with "the official symbol of the Prince of Wales" on his pinky finger. So, it seems that while there are some strict rules within the British Royal Family, forcing male royals to wear a wedding band isn’t one of them!
He Doesn't Like Jewelry
By now, you probably have a good idea of why Prince William isn't flaunting a ring on his finger. Yet, we haven't even touched on one of the main reasons his wife, Kate Middleton, didn’t present him with a ring during their wedding day. Penny Junor, the author of The Duchess: Camilla Parker Bowles and the Love Affair that Rocked the Crown, mentioned in Vogue that "Prince William doesn't like jewelry," and the Palace issued a statement affirming this before their wedding.
This makes sense! Aside from the occasional watch, the last time we saw Prince William adorned with jewelry was during a 2014 trip to the Maldives, where both he and Kate were presented with traditional beaded necklaces. Looking at the photos from that moment, one could interpret Prince William's expression as saying, "Get this thing off of me!" Unlike his younger brother, Prince Harry, who wore matching beaded bracelets with Meghan Markle at the start of their relationship, Prince William simply prefers to keep it minimal.
Is Going Ringless the Real Tradition?
Although Vogue reported that 90 percent of married Englishmen wear wedding rings, some argue that Prince William's choice not to wear one may actually reflect the real tradition. It has been noted that elite male Brits of high society have also been known to disregard wedding ring trends, suggesting that men were not supposed to wear jewelry.
For many years, it was uncommon for married men in the U.K. to wear rings. However, this changed during the World War II era, as soldiers sought reminders of their wives back home. They embraced wearing bands as tokens of love and remembrance. Perhaps Prince William is taking cues from the historical ringless men who came before him!
Who Needs a Ring When You're Super Modern?
Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding signified a new chapter for the Royal Family. The couple broke several centuries-old traditions, including their choice to spend the wedding night at Buckingham Palace instead of leaving for their honeymoon as previous royals had done. As they established new traditions tailored to their needs, it became evident that a contemporary royal was emerging.
It only makes sense that Prince William wouldn't wear a wedding band, and we wouldn't expect anything less from him at this point. Diane Clehane, author of Imagining Diana, put it perfectly in an interview with Vogue: "William and Kate have shown us they are modern royals and are confident in each other's love for one another." His ringless finger resonates with a millennial vibe, and knowing the reasons behind his choice makes it seem more like a contemporary style statement rather than a bizarre slight.
Duh! We Already Know He's Taken
For the average groom, wearing a wedding ring can help deter advances from other suitors. But is that really necessary for Prince William? Let's consider the facts. Their wedding in 2011 was viewed by an estimated 2 billion people across more than 180 countries. In addition to this, over 8,500 journalists were in London to capture and report on the royal couple's big day.
According to The Telegraph, 2.8 million people in Great Britain and the U.S. combined wrote social media updates about the royal wedding, with 237 tweets being posted per second during the event! In other words, you'd have to be living under a rock to not know that Prince William is a married man.
A wedding ring symbolizes marriage, but it isn't the only way to demonstrate a lifelong commitment. While Prince William may not wear a wedding ring, there’s no doubt about his dedication to Kate and their family.
