It’s getting crazy in the Royal Wedding world as we are only exactly 4 weeks until the big day!
NO Wedding Ring for William
One big piece of news is the fact that William will NOT be wearing a wedding band, while Kate will have hers traditionally cast from Welsh gold given by the Queen to William. Why not? A palace spokesperson says William has never been one for jewelry. He doesn’t even wear a signet ring (like his father and uncles who wear their wedding bands beneath signet rings in their pinkies), and the couple has decided to only have one wedding ring. Articles: Daily Mail
Surprising? It was for me at first. Mad research drove me to some revelations: (Click on links to find proof on videos or pictures)
- Prince Andrew (video) & Prince Edward (video) did have wedding rings slipped into their signet rings during their wedding ceremonies
- Prince Charles (picture) wears a wedding ring under his signet ring with his marriage to Camilla
- Prince Charles is said to have worn a wedding ring under his signet with Diana, too (article), although this video (start at 7:20) from their wedding ceremony shows that no ring was slipped into his finger
- The Duke of Edinburgh does NOT wear a wedding band
Further research showed that many of the younger social / aristocratic grooms, however, did NOT have wedding bands (or did not wear them). These link to pictures to their weddings or appearances after:
- All three married Van Cutsem brothers: (Edward, Hugh & Nicholas) = NO rings
- Camilla’s children: Tom Parker-Bowles & Laura’s husband Harry Lopes = NO rings
- Harry Meade, whose wedding William & Kate attended last October = NO ring
- George Gilman (Lady Rose Windsor’s husband) = NO ring
- Gary Lewis (Lady Davina Windsor’s husband) = NO ring
- James Ogilvy, (Princess Alexandra of Kent’s son) = NO ring
On a bright note, Peter Phillips wears a ring!
I’m still trying to figure out if Freddie Windsor wears one.
So much for wedding ring obsessions…
Lovely Words from Harry
- Daily Mail: Diana would have been very, very proud that William was getting married
- UK Reuters: Royal Wedding: “We thought it would never happen”
- Telegraph: Best man speech will be “selective” due to Queen’s presence
- Express: William & Kate could have got married 2 years ago if not for media pressure
William shows the Queen around RAF Valley; gives an interview
Despite the gusty winds in Anglesey, Her Majesty held on to his hat, as reporters traveled far to see Prince William show his grandparents around RAF Valley where he works are a Search & Rescue pilot. Yesterday he gave a helicopter demonstration and an interview, talking about the importance of his work and admitting to wedding jitters.
William admitted he had had sleepless nights about “the whole thing”, that his knees “started tapping quite nervously” during rehearsal, but that it was “very exciting” and he’s looking forward to his big day. He has invited his colleagues to the wedding. They, in turn, poke fun at him by buying him Will & Kate memorabilia: a mug, tea towel, pillow…
The royal, who joined C Flight, 22 Squadron in September, has already participated in 12 operational search and rescue missions – a similar amount to any of his contemporaries. He has completed around 35 operational SAR standby shifts at RAF Valley – each shift lasts 24 hours.
View the complete Video: BBC
Related Articles:
- Sky: William on his RAF job and upcoming marriage to Kate Middleton
- Reuters: William admits to pre-wedding nerves
- Daily Mail: William invites RAF colleagues, including sex swap pilot, to wedding
Pictures: Getty Images
Related Posts:
- Tara Palmer-Tomkinson: William-Kate Wedding Not in the Cards
- Prince William & Kate Middleton’s First Interview
- Prince William & Kate Middleton First Photocall
- Prince Harry & Chelsy Davy Reunited
- 5 Days to Go: Royal Wedding Guests & Abbey Seating Arrangements
Spyridon Braoudakis
#1 by Sam on April 2, 2011 - 10:32 pm
Quote
How do you know that they don’t wear wedding rings? Some of those pictures could’ve been taken before their wedding or they could’ve simply chosen to wear one later. Unless you have a valid article where any of these men state that they don’t wear one you can’t assume. Besides if this decision was made based on a current trend they probably would’ve stated that in the press release rather then say that he’s “isn’t one for jewellery.”
#2 by britishroyals on April 3, 2011 - 1:12 am
Quote
@Sam: Pay close attention. Those pictures were either taken ON their wedding days (when you are supposed to exchange rings) or AFTER. I wouldn’t be so silly as to post a pre-wedding picture. As they are private citizens, William & Kate’s friends would have NO articles talking about the details of their respective weddings, hence we only have pictures. I wouldn’t impose it to everyone as fact, but it’s a confident research based on what we’ve got. And yes, I’ve looked at several pictures of each married friend before concluding they don’t wear wedding bands. If you see any proof contradicting my research, you are free to let me know.
William may not yet have released an official statement about not wearing a wedding band in their wedding website, but his spokesperson has confirmed it to numerous sources.
#3 by Kristen on April 3, 2011 - 2:20 am
Quote
As an American, I’d be very upset if my husband didn’t wear a wedding ring. But I’ve heard that there isn’t the same tradition in the UK of men wearing wedding rings as there is in the US. Assuming Canadian tradition is similar to US tradition, that may be why Peter Phillips is wearing a ring. Go Autumn!
#4 by Sam on April 3, 2011 - 2:41 am
Quote
Let’s be honest here, if not wearing a rings was a trend in William’s circle wouldn’t it have been published by now? When that information was released last week it became a huge debate worldwide and not a single person (especially seasoned royal reporters and their sources) mention his friends or any trends. I almost thought it was an April fools joke and it may actually be one (we all know how much William loves screwing with the media).
#5 by britishroyals on April 3, 2011 - 4:30 am
Quote
@Sam: We are just discovering things. The wedding band debate has only been hot topic recently because of this story. While no one has specifically identified William’s married friends, you’ll find that PLENTY of correspondents mentioned that it isn’t usual for grooms in higher society to wear traditional bands. Search around. Some of them wear signets, but not all.
I stand by my research. Pictures don’t lie. Once again, let me know if you have any information to disprove it.
#6 by putski on April 3, 2011 - 12:17 pm
Quote
impressive work, BR! it definitely sheds some light on the issue knowing this… oh and kate’s dad doesn’t wear a wedding ring either. her mum doess. i would have liked for william to wear a ring too but i guess going ringless is not uncommon in their circle after all. you are right about royal reporters not knowing much about this. they were tweeting with royal watchers when the news first broke out and many did not even know about signet rings! it’s all new to many of us and i’m sure we’ll learn more with more revelations.
Kristen: yes, go Autumn and Peter!
#7 by Jen on April 30, 2011 - 6:35 am
Quote
I only saw the ring onto Kate or catherine but not William. So i guess there’s no ring for him too.
Anyway, whats a ring? It doesnt mean much if the couple is honest abt the rs etc. Do not betray ……. & anyway, whole world will know William is married! lol
Did Prince Charles wore a ring when married to Diana? I would think its an insult if one wears a ring and still betrayed the spouse
#8 by Lucy on May 1, 2011 - 9:12 pm
Quote
Here in the UK it isn’t traditional for men to wear a wedding ring (across the board – not just in aristocratic circles). In recent times it has grown in popularity for men to wear a wedding ring, but I’d guess that majority of men still don’t. William not wearing a wedding ring wouldn’t be considered worthy of note over here which is probably why there was very little heard about it beforehand