- One of the many royal traditions (opens in new tab) Prince Harry has broken over the years has to do with his wedding ring.
- While royal wedding rings are traditionally made of Welsh gold, Harry opted for a modern, platinum ring with a brushed texture finished instead.
- Traditionally, royal wedding bands are made from metal gifted by the Queen from her collection of Welsh gold from the Clogau St. David Gold Mine in Dolgellau, Wales (opens in new tab). The tradition dates back to 1923, when Queen Elizabeth's parents, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, wed.
Prince Harry is a lot of thing (opens in new tab)s, but "royal conformist" is not one of them. Among the many ways Harry has blazed his own royal trail (opens in new tab) is with his wedding ring.
According to Hello! (opens in new tab) magazine (opens in new tab), Harry broke royal tradition (opens in new tab) after his 2018 royal wedding (opens in new tab) to Meghan Markle (opens in new tab) by opting for a modern, platinum wedding band instead of going with the Welsh gold style that men in the British royal family tend to choose—if they decide to wear a wedding ring at all (opens in new tab), that is.
Harry's older brother, Prince William (opens in new tab), and his grandfather, Prince Philip (opens in new tab), famously refuse to wear wedding rings at all. Harry isn't alone in the "Royal Men Who Wear Wedding Bands" club, however. His dad, Prince Charles (opens in new tab), also wears his wedding ring every day. Charles' ring, however, is classic gold—just like every other royal wedding ring, apparently (including Meghan's (opens in new tab) and Will's wife, Kate Middleton's (opens in new tab)).
There's a good reason for the royal marriage tradition (opens in new tab) for Welsh gold wedding bands though: The Queen typically gifts the newlyweds with metal from her personal collection of Welsh gold from the Clogau St. David Gold Mine in Dolgellau, Wales. As Hello! notes, this gift has become even more special in recent years since the mine is no longer in operation.
The tradition of making royal wedding rings from the Clogau St. David Gold Mine gold can be traced back to the Queen's parents (opens in new tab), George VI and the Queen Mother, when they wed in April 1923.
Prince Harry, fiddling with his wedding band during a royal engagement in September 2018.
Harry notably showed off his tradition-breaking band during a visit to the Royal Marines Commando Training Centre in September 2018, when photographers snapped some close-up shots of the ring. You can see in those photos that the slender band features a subtle, brushed texture finish.
Meghan Markle's Most Iconic Fashion Moments
March 9, 2020
Meghan and Prince Harry attend the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey with all of the royal family. Meghan is wearing a custom Emilia Wickstead dress and carrying a Gabriela Hearst Demi bag (opens in new tab); she's also wearing Birks earrings and Aquazzura heels (opens in new tab).
March 8, 2020
The Duchess of Sussex visits the Robert Clack School for International Women's Day. Meghan is wearing a ME+EM jacket (opens in new tab), a Cuyana T-shirt (opens in new tab), a Rejina Pyo bag (opens in new tab), and Jennifer Chamandi pumps (opens in new tab).
March 7, 2020
Meghan arrives with Prince Harry at the Mountbatten Music Festival. She is wearing a Safiyaa dress, Simone Rocha earrings (opens in new tab), and a Manolo Blahnik clutch (opens in new tab).
March 5, 2020
Prince Harry and Meghan arrive to the Endeavour Fund Awards. The Duchess of Sussex is wearing a blue tonal look in a Victoria Beckham pencil dress (opens in new tab), Manolo Blahnik pumps (opens in new tab), a Jessica McCormack bracelet (opens in new tab), and a Stella McCartney clutch.
January 7, 2020
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry arrive at Canada House in London for their first 2020 appearance. She is seen wearing a Reiss Coat, Massimo Dutti turtleneck and skirt (opens in new tab), and Jimmy Choo Romy pumps (opens in new tab).
November 9, 2019
Meghan steps out in a bespoke Erdem dress, her favorite Aquazzura heels (opens in new tab), and Jessica McCormack earrings (opens in new tab), for the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall.
November 7, 2019
The Duchess of Sussex attends the 91st Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey. She wore a Sentaler coat (opens in new tab), a Phillip Treacy hat, Tamara Mellon boots (opens in new tab), and Dents gloves (opens in new tab).
October 25, 2019
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attend a panel discussion on gender equality with The Queen's Commonwealth Trust. Meghan is wearing a monochromatic look in a Joseph sweater, a Hugo Boss leather skirt, Sarah Flint pumps (opens in new tab), and Emily Mortimer stud earrings (opens in new tab).
October 22, 2019
Meghan Markle arrives to the One Young World Summit in an Aritzia dress paired with Manolo Blahnik pumps (opens in new tab).
October 15, 2019
Meghan Markle recycles her engagement dress to WellChild Awards, a charity for seriously ill children and their families. She pairs her P.A.R.O.S.H. dress with a Sentaler coat (opens in new tab) and Montunas bag (opens in new tab).
October 2, 2019
For a South African engagement to visit the Youth Employment Services in South Africa, the Duchess of Sussex steps out in Hannah Lavery shirt dress, Madewell earrings (opens in new tab), and Stuart Weitzman pumps (opens in new tab).
September 30, 2019
Meghan Markle steps out during a visit to Monwabisi Beach with Prince Harry. She paired her Madewell denim jacket (opens in new tab) with Brother Vellies Huarache sandals (opens in new tab).
September 25, 2019
During the royal tour in South African, Meghan wore an Everlane black jumpsuit (opens in new tab)and Gas Bijoux gold statement earrings (opens in new tab).
September 25, 2019
Meghan and Archie step out for Archie's first royal engagement during the tour in South Africa. She wore a Club Monaco dress and a pair of Jennifer Meyer turquoise earrings (opens in new tab).
September 24, 2019
Meghan chose a Staud dress (opens in new tab), Cuyana scarf (opens in new tab) and Sam Edelman flats (opens in new tab) for the visit at Auwal Mosque on Heritage Day with Prince Harry.
September 23, 2019
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visit District 6 Museum in Cape Town, South Africa. Meghan wore a Veronica Beard blue button-down dress and Castañer espadrilles (opens in new tab).
September 12, 2019
The Duchess Of Sussex attends the launch of the Smart Works Capsule Collection, while wearing a Misha Nonoo button-down (opens in new tab) and wearing butterfly earrings and a cuff that once belonged to Princess Diana.
July 14, 2019
The Duke and Duchess walk the red carpet for the Lion King premiere in London. Meghan wears a Jason Wu dress and Nikos Koulis earrings (opens in new tab) with a Gucci clutch (opens in new tab).
July 13, 2019
The Duchess of Sussex enjoys Wimbledon in her Le Specs sunglasses (opens in new tab) and Jennifer Meyer earrings (opens in new tab).
July 4, 2019
Meghan Markle attends Wimbledon to watch her friend Serena Williams. She wore her L'Agence blazer (opens in new tab) and Finlay sunglasses (opens in new tab), and a delicate necklace (opens in new tab) with an A for Archie.
June 8, 2019
Meghan Markle steps out for her first royal appearance since giving birth. She attends the 2019 Trooping the Colour with Prince Harry in a Givenchy dress and hat by Noelle Stewart.
May 8, 2019
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex present their baby, Archie, to the world. She wears a Wales Bonner trench coat dress, Manolo Blahnik pumps (opens in new tab), and Jennifer Meyer necklace (opens in new tab).
March 19, 2019
Prince Harry and Meghan arrive at New Zealand House in London to pay tribute to the victims of the New Zealand terrorist attacks. Meghan wears a vintage black cape, Gucci clutch (opens in new tab)and Aquazzura black cut-out pumps. (opens in new tab)
March 11, 2019
Meghan wore a Victoria Beckham dress (opens in new tab), coat, clutch (opens in new tab), and shoes to the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey.
March 11, 2019
The Duke and Duchess Of Sussex attend a Commonwealth Day youth event at Canada House. The Duchess wore a Erdem set, Givenchy clutch, Aquazzura heels (opens in new tab), and Birks earrings (opens in new tab).
March 8, 2019
Meghan wore a Reiss printed dress, an Alexander McQueen blazer, a Stella McCartney clutch (opens in new tab) and Manolo Blahnik pumps (opens in new tab) to the International Women's Day panel discussion.
February 24, 2019
The Duchess Of Sussex wore Dior head to toe and Birks earrings (opens in new tab) while visiting Morocco.
February 24, 2019
The Duke and Duchess arrive to the "Education For All" boarding house in Atlas Mountains in Morocco. Meghan wore an Alice and Olivia blazer and Birdies slippers (opens in new tab).
February 23, 2019
The Duke and Duchess Of Sussex visit Morocco. Meghan wore a Valentino dress, a Valentino clutch (opens in new tab), and Gianvito Rossi gloves (opens in new tab) and pumps (opens in new tab) to meet the Crown Prince of Morocco, Moulay Hassan.
February 20, 2019
Meghan arrives at The Mark Hotel in New York City. She is seen wearing Cuyana Bag (opens in new tab), a Jennifer Meyer necklace (opens in new tab), and Adidas sneakers (opens in new tab).
January 30, 2019
Meghan Markle visits the National Theatre wearing a Brandon Maxwell dress and blazer, a Carolina Herrera clutch, and Aquazzura pumps (opens in new tab).
January 14, 2019
Meghan wears a Sentaler coat (opens in new tab), an Artizia dress, a Gabriela Hearst bag (opens in new tab), and Stuart Weitzman red pumps (opens in new tab) to visit a new statue of poet Wilfred Owen.
January 10, 2019
The Duchess of Sussex visits Smart Works wearing Kimai earrings (opens in new tab).
December 10, 2018
Meghan appears at the Fashion Awards at the Royal Albert Hall. The Duchess wore a Givenchy dress, Tamara Mellon heels (opens in new tab), Pippa Small earrings and bangles (opens in new tab).
November 19, 2018
Meghan wore Safiyaa dress (opens in new tab) and Gianvito Rossi pumps (opens in new tab) to the The Royal Variety Performance 2018.
October 30, 2018
Prince Harry and Meghan visit New Zealand; both are wearing Muck boots (opens in new tab).
October 29, 2018
Harry and Meghan visiting New Zealand during their Autumn tour Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. Meghan opted for Adidas Stan Smith sneakers (opens in new tab) for this occasion.
October 27, 2018
Meghan Markle attended the wheelchair basketball game wearing a Scanlan Theodore top (opens in new tab) and Sarah Flint pumps (opens in new tab).
October 27, 2018
For the Invictus Games Closing ceremony, Meghan wore an Antonio Berardi Tuxedo dress and Aquazzura pumps (opens in new tab).
October 26, 2018
Meghan visits Tupou College wearing Adina Reyter earrings (opens in new tab).
October 24, 2018
Meghan wore a Figue dress (opens in new tab) with Castañer espadrilles (opens in new tab)during their visit to Suva, Fiji.
October 22, 2018
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex on their royal tour in Australia. The duchess steps out in a Reformation dress with Sarah Flint sandals (opens in new tab).
October 21, 2018
Meghan spotted wearing Veja sneakers (opens in new tab) during day two the Invictus Games in Sydney, Australia.
October 21, 2018
Meghan Markle attended a reception hosted by the Prime Minister of Australia at The Pavilion Restaurant, wearing White Blazer, Oroton bag (opens in new tab), and Aquazzura pumps (opens in new tab).
October 18, 2018
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visit south Melbourne Beach during their 16 day Autumn tour. Meghan wore an a-line Club Monaco dress (opens in new tab), Martin Grant trench coat (opens in new tab), and Rothy's flats. (opens in new tab)
October 3, 201
Meghan wore Hugo Boss leather skirt, (opens in new tab) Gabriela Hearst bag (opens in new tab), and Stuart Weitzman pumps (opens in new tab).
September 6, 2018
The Duchess of Sussex attended "100 Days of Peace", she wore a Jason Wu blue dress (opens in new tab), Aquazzura pumps (opens in new tab), Birks earrings (opens in new tab), and bespoke Dior bag.
August 29, 2018
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended a gala performance of "Hamilton". The Duchess wore Judith & Charles Blazer dress, Paul Andrew pumps (opens in new tab), and Shaun Leane earrings (opens in new tab).
July 26, 2018
Meghan Markle wore a Carolina Herrera denim wrap dress, Birks earrings, J Crew bag (opens in new tab), and Aquazzura pumps (opens in new tab)to the Sentebale Polo in 2018.
July 9, 2018
For christening of Prince Louis of Cambridge, Meghan wore Ralph Lauren dress, Stephen Jones hat (opens in new tab), and LK Bennett pumps (opens in new tab).
July 5, 2018
Duchess of Sussex attend the Your Commonwealth Youth Challenge. She wore Brandon Maxwell dress (opens in new tab), Manolo Blahnik pumps (opens in new tab), and Adina Reyter earrings (opens in new tab).
July 14, 2018
The Duchess of Sussex attended the Wimbledon Championship wearing Ralph Lauren Top (opens in new tab) and Bottoms (opens in new tab), Maison Michel hat (opens in new tab), and Illesteva sunglasses (opens in new tab).
June 26, 2018
The Duchess and Duke of Sussex with the Queen at the Queen's Young Leaders Awards Ceremony wearing Prada top and skirt and Aquazzura pumps (opens in new tab).
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Kayleigh Roberts is a freelance writer and editor with more than 10 years of professional experience. Her byline has appeared in Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, The Atlantic, Allure, Entertainment Weekly, MTV, Bustle, Refinery29, Girls’ Life Magazine, Just Jared, and Tiger Beat, among other publications. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
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