Prince Harry’s Wedding Ring and the Significance Behind His Choice to Wear One
When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were married on May 19, 2018, they exchanged vows and rings. The plan to exchange rings was made public when the order of service for the couple’s wedding ceremony was released. In the wedding program, there is a section titled “the giving of the rings,” where Meghan Markle and Prince Harry exchange wedding bands. Prince Harry’s decision to wear a wedding ring was a significant one. Here’s why.
Meghan Markle’s wedding ring
Meghan’s ring was crafted by British jewelers Cleave and Company, the jewelers for Queen Elizabeth, reports People. Prince Harry, who designed the ring, chose a very special way to honor the life of his late mother, Princess Diana. He included small diamonds from Princess Diana’s jewelry collection to be placed on either side of the ring. For the main piece, he chose a larger stone sourced from Botswana. The inside of her ring is stamped with the couple’s wedding date, reports The Sun.
The significance behind Prince Harry’s choice to wear a wedding ring
Most male members of the British royal family choose not to wear a wedding ring. They include Jack Brooksbank, Prince Phillip, and Prince William. Prince Harry’s choice to wear a ring shows not only his willingness to break away from royal tradition but also his desire to display a physical symbol of his commitment to his marriage.
Why don’t some male members of the British royal family wear wedding rings?
Prince William doesn’t wear a wedding ring because he doesn’t like jewelry. A royal expert told Vogue going ringless is Prince William’s personal preference. “He doesn’t like jewelry, and the Palace issued a statement before their wedding saying so,” royal expert Penny Junor told the magazine.
Senior royal sources told Daily Mail Prince William discussed the issue with Kate Middleton before the wedding ceremony. This is what a St. James’s Palace aide had to say about the matter: “It was something the couple discussed, but Prince William isn’t one for jewelry—he doesn’t even wear a signet ring—and decided he didn’t want to. It really is just down to personal preference,” said the aide.
How Prince Harry’s wedding ring is different
Prince Harry’s wedding ring is also significant because it goes against another royal tradition. The second way he breaks tradition is that his ring is made from platinum instead of Welsh gold. Royal family members usually have wedding rings made with Welsh gold. Hello! magazine reports the gold has a special meaning. “[Prince] Charles’ ring is made from classic gold, like all other wedding rings in the royal family, which is traditionally gifted by the Queen from her personal collection of Welsh gold from the Clogau St. David Gold Mine in Dolgellau, Wales.”
Who designed Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding rings?
Meghan’s wedding band was a gift from Queen Elizabeth. Just like the other royals, Meghan’s ring is made from Welsh Gold, made by Cleave and Company. Prince Harry’s wedding band is also made by Cleave and Company.
Read more: How Much Did Meghan Markle’s Engagement Ring Cost?
Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook!
