The world’s rarest and most sought-after gold

At the investiture of Edward as Prince of Wales at Caernarfon Castle in 1911, the regalia used (which comprised a coronet, a rod, a ring, a sword, and a robe with a doublet and sash) incorporated pure Welsh gold, identified by the Welsh dragon stamp. The regalia were used again in 1969 at Caernarfon for the investiture of Prince Charles.

Select members of the Royal Family have used pure Welsh gold to create their wedding rings for a century. The tradition was founded in 1923 by Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, later Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, on her marriage to the Duke of York, later King George VI.

Other members of the Royal Family that have had Welsh gold wedding rings include:

  • 1947: Queen Elizabeth II's marriage to Prince Philip
  • 1960: Princess Margaret’s marriage to Antony Armstrong-Jones
  • 1973: Princess Anne's marriage to Mark Phillips
  • 1981: Prince Charles's marriage to Princess Diana
  • 2005: Prince Charles's marriage to Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall
  • 2011: Prince William's marriage to Kate Middleton
  • 2018: Prince Harry's marriage to Meghan Markle
Queen Elizabeth II's wedding ring, from her marriage to The Duke of Edinburgh on 20th November 1947, is crafted from a nugget of pure Welsh gold from the Clogau St David's gold mine.

The tradition of the British Royal Family using Welsh gold wedding rings was carried into its 95th year during the most recent royal wedding of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex on 19th May, 2018.

Rare Welsh gold is contained within each piece of Clogau jewellery, making it some of the most exclusive jewellery in the world. The presence of Welsh gold can be identified by the Welsh dragon stamp and other unique marks that denote a genuine piece of Clogau.

Royal Association Timeline

  1. Prince Edward

    The Welsh gold story goes back over 100 years, when Prince Edward was invested as the Prince of Wales in 1911. The coronation regalia, known as the Honours of the Principality of Wales, were made from Welsh gold.

  2. Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother

    The wedding ring of Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, later Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, was made from pure Welsh gold from the Clogau St David’s gold mine.

  3. Queen Elizabeth II

    Queen Elizabeth II had her wedding ring crafted from pure Welsh gold from the Clogau St David’s gold mine.

  4. Princess Margaret

    Princess Margaret’s wedding ring was made from pure Welsh gold from the Clogau St David’s gold mine.

  5. Prince Charles

    Prince Charles was invested as Prince of Wales using Prince Edward's 1911 coronation regalia, known as the Honours of the Principality of Wales.

  6. Princess Anne

    Princess Anne’s wedding ring was made from pure Welsh gold from the Clogau St David’s gold mine.

  7. Princess Diana

    The wedding rings of Prince Charles and Princess Diana were made from pure Welsh gold from the Clogau St David’s gold mine.

  8. Sarah, Duchess of York

    Welsh gold of unknown origin weighing 36g, gifted by the Royal British Legion, was used in the making of the wedding ring worn by the Duchess of York in 1986.

  9. Gwynfynydd Gold Gifted

    A kilogram of Welsh gold from the Gwynfynydd mine was presented to the Queen on her 60th birthday in 1986. This may be the source of gold for rings for the Earl and Countess of Wessex in June 1999.

  10. Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall

    The rings of Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall were made from pure Welsh gold for the royal couple's 2005 wedding.

  11. Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge

    When Kate Middleton married Prince William in 2011 and became Duchess of Cambridge, her wedding ring was made from pure Welsh gold.

  12. Meghan, Duchess of Sussex

    The tradition of the British Royal Family using Welsh gold wedding rings was carried into its 95th year during the most recent royal wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on May 19 2018. Meghan’s wedding ring was made from pure Welsh gold.

  13. King Charles III

    A host of Royal Family members known to wear Welsh gold wedding rings – including King Charles and Queen Camilla themselves – gathered for The King's coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey on May 6 2023.