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Why Prince Charles hides his wedding ring

For those who have been paying attention to Prince Charles’ jewellery situation (guilty as charged), you’ll have noticed there’s one item he always wears that sits pride of place on his left hand.

Gold, chunky and spotted on the prince’s pinky for decades, the Duke of Cornwall’s signet ring is one part of his ensemble that never changes.

Eagle-eyed royal watchers will notice that Charles’ ring finger is noticeably bare, despite his wife Camilla proudly wearing her wedding ring ever since their 2005 nuptials.

Prince Charles is never seen without his signet ring. Photo: Getty
Prince Charles is never seen without his signet ring. Photo: Getty

Experts reveal that Prince Charles’ attachment to his signet ring could be due to his strong sense of tradition and family.

“Signet rings can carry meaning, reminding the wearer of their family, or, in the case of a club or society crest, creating a sense of kinship and belonging, much like a club tie or a pin badge”, author and etiquette expert Lucy Hume told The Telegraph.

“They were used historically as a seal with a unique family crest to sign documents.”

The royal has been wearing his Prince of Wales signet ring for years. Photo: Getty
The royal has been wearing his Prince of Wales signet ring for years. Photo: Getty

This is clearly the case with Charles’ ring, which is nearly 180 years old and said to bear the official symbol of the Prince of Wales.

So where does Charles’ wedding ring fit into this?

While you might not notice it in pictures, HELLO! reports Prince Charles stacks his wedding band underneath his signet ring.

“He did this with his marital band from Princess Diana right up until 2005, removing it after he announced his engagement to the Duchess of Cornwall,” reveals the publication.

Even on their wedding day, Prince Charles wasn’t seen wearing a wedding ring on his ring finger. Photo: Getty
Even on their wedding day, Prince Charles wasn’t seen wearing a wedding ring on his ring finger. Photo: Getty

“He now wears his wedding band from Camilla proudly in the very same place.”

He’s not the only royal to shun the idea of a very noticeable wedding band.

Like father, like son – Wills doesn’t follow wedding ring convention either. Photo: Getty
Like father, like son – Wills doesn’t follow wedding ring convention either. Photo: Getty

Prince William is known for not wearing a ring either, with the prince making it clear even before his 2011 nuptials to Kate Middleton that he wouldn’t be wearing his heart on his finger.

“It was something the couple discussed but Prince William isn’t one for jewellery,” a Palace aide revealed in 2011, according to Time.

“He doesn’t even wear a signet ring — and decided he didn’t want to.”

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