Meghan Markle’s Wedding Ring Has Allegedly Increased The Demand For Welsh Gold

So stunning! Meghan Markle married Prince Harry on Saturday, May 19 at the royal wedding of the century, and everyone still can’t stop talking about how beautiful she looked for the special event three months later. But there was one thing in particular that no one can get over — and that’s her stunning wedding ring made of Welsh gold. 

In fact, the piece of jewelry increased the demand for Welsh gold. Clogau, a family-owned business that specializes in creating jewelry from North Wales, said that Meghan’s ring has increased recognition for the rare material, and now they are opening four more stores all over England in October because of it. 

“We get a lot of exposure when there is a royal wedding,” the Clogau spokeswoman said, according to People. “It was the same when William and Kate got married. It definitely gives business a boost. Whenever the public becomes aware of the royal connection then there is increased interest in rare Welsh gold.” They added, “We have our own bridal concept and we have a trilogy-style engagement ring and her ring was the same style as that.”

                                 Meghan’s wedding ring. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Harry and Meghan chose Cleave and Company to make their rings. Prior to the nuptials, Kensington Palace released more details about the bands. “Ms. Markle’s ring has been fashioned from a piece of Welsh Gold, gifted by Her Majesty The Queen,” the statement read, describing the simple band. “Prince Harry’s ring will be a Platinum Band with a textured finish. Both rings were crafted in the Cleave workshop.”

Harry previously proposed to Meghan with an engagement ring made from his late mother Princess Diana’s diamonds as well as a diamond from Botswana. The bling also features a plain band, similar to her wedding band — and we think the rings pair beautifully together!

Sweetly enough, there’s a lot of royal tradition behind Meghan’s wedding ring. The Welsh gold ring tradition allegedly began over a century ago. Queen Elizabeth’s mother had one, and Queen Elizabeth received one from Prince Philip when they wed in November 1947. Kate Middleton also very similar wedding band, which she received from Prince William at her April 2011 nuptials.

                                   Kate’s wedding ring. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Harry actually broke tradition by getting a platinum band for himself, but he allegedly “does want to wear a wedding band unlike his older brother who prefers to go without one.” Back when Will and Kate married seven years ago, the duo announced he would not wear a ring due to “personal preference.” A Kensington Palace spokesperson revealed at the time, “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.”

Believe it or not, men traditionally don’t wear rings in the royal family (Prince Charles does, though, and now his younger son will join him). “It is not unusual at all for men from the upper sets in Britain to shun wearing a wedding band,” etiquette expert William Hanson recently told Brides. “This is not because of any intentions that they may wish to play away from home once married, but because it was traditionally not the done thing for gentlemen to wear jewelry.”

“Years ago, this even included watches, but even hardened snobs have relaxed on that front. Not wearing a wedding band is one of those quirky British silent class indicators, like the color of your shoes on a Thursday or the way you fold your top pocket handkerchief,” he continued. If we were them, we’d be showing off our gorgeous bling!

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