Prince William and Princess Catherine are proud parents to three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. The couple tied the knot in April 2011, with Catherine receiving a wedding ring made of Welsh gold, symbolizing their vows and commitment. Catherine’s engagement ring, a stunning sapphire and diamond piece that once belonged to Princess Diana, has long been admired by royal watchers worldwide. She often wears the gold band stacked alongside her iconic engagement ring, but fans may have noticed that Prince William is rarely seen wearing a wedding ring.
Despite being married for over 13 years, William chooses not to wear a band on his left ring finger. This has sparked some speculation among fans, with some wondering if it reflects his feelings about marriage. In contrast, King Charles proudly displays his wedding band, but William’s decision is based purely on personal preference.
William has increasingly taken on major responsibilities, especially with King Charles currently undergoing cancer treatment. Recently, as William led an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle honoring 50 people on behalf of the King, the public took note once again of his bare ring finger. However, there’s nothing to read into here. William’s choice not to wear a wedding ring has been his preference since his wedding day. A palace spokesperson previously confirmed that "there is only going to be one ring, in accordance with the couple’s wishes."
While some may chalk this up to royal tradition, the truth is that William’s choice is simply a matter of personal style. Royal commentator Eloise Parker explained in 2018 that William’s decision not to wear a wedding ring aligns with certain family traditions; his grandfather, the late Prince Philip, also opted not to wear one. However, William’s brother, Prince Harry, has broken this tradition, choosing to wear a simple platinum band on his left hand, crafted by the same jeweler who designed Meghan Markle’s engagement ring.
William has never been one for jewelry and chose not to wear a wedding band, finding Catherine’s sparkle enough for the two of them. Catherine is never seen without her engagement ring—a 12-carat blue sapphire once belonging to Princess Diana—and her wedding band, which she and William designed together with the Bristol-based jewelry company Wartski. The Welsh gold used to create her wedding ring was a sentimental engagement gift from Queen Elizabeth II, adding even more meaning to the piece.
Her engagement ring is also steeped in royal history. William proposed with the same sapphire and diamond ring that his mother, Princess Diana, wore, a piece inspired by a brooch that Prince Albert had crafted for Queen Victoria in 1840 as a wedding gift. Queen Victoria treasured the brooch so much that she wore it on her wedding day and designated it a crown heirloom in her will, meaning it would always belong to the reigning British monarch. Queen Elizabeth II eventually inherited the brooch, wearing it on numerous occasions.
In fact, after Princess Diana’s death in 1997, Prince Harry initially inherited her engagement ring. However, when William was preparing to propose to Catherine, Harry offered it to his older brother. Catherine now carries this piece of Diana’s legacy, but it requires meticulous care, as keeping an heirloom of such significance intact can be a challenge. Team Wales ensures its preservation through regular inspections, gentle cleaning, and expert repairs when necessary.
This iconic ring carries with it generations of history and sentiment, connecting Catherine to the legacy of the royal family and to Princess Diana’s memory.
