Yes, Princess Diana frequently wore a ring on her pinky finger, most notably her family's signet ring and also Cartier's iconic Trinity ring, continuing a royal tradition of wearing these symbolic pieces on the little finger. She often paired the signet ring, a symbol of family lineage, with other jewelry, showcasing how modern royals embraced these traditional items.
Princess Diana was often photographed wearing her signet ring on her left-hand little finger, and many other female members of the Royal Family wear their signet rings on that finger. Once a symbol of family status, the signet ring has now become an enduring symbol of style.
King Charles's pinky ring is technically called a signet ring. These types of rings date back to as early as 3500 B.C. and were originally used for authorizing transactions or signing documents. “The ring had your family crest or code of arms engraved,” says Dimmick.
A pinky ring traditionally signifies status, power, family heritage, or achievement, with historical roots in ancient Egypt and aristocracy, often being a signet ring for sealing documents. Today, meanings have expanded to include professional affiliations (like engineering), LGBTQ+ identity, or simply a fashion statement for personal style, independence, and sophistication, worn by anyone for various reasons from tradition to self-expression.
The most famous engagement ring in history
Diana chose her sapphire engagement ring from Garrard in 1981. Encircled by a halo of diamonds set in 18 carat white gold, the deep, intense blue of the 12-carat oval Ceylon sapphire is magnificent, enhanced by its exceptional lustre.
Diana was wearing a ring given to her by Dodi Fayed when she died. It was a £3,000 Bulgari yellow gold band with diamonds. The diamond band set in yellow gold was not an engagement ring and was worn on the fourth finger of her right hand, where her butler Paul Burrell advised her to wear it.
She loved wearing brands, which included Chanel. However, the then Princess of Wales stopped wearing Chanel following her divorce. Apparently, the label's logo, the double interlocking C's, reminded her of the betrayal she had by Prince Charles because of his then-affair with Camilla Parker Bowles.
In many cultures throughout the world, the left pinky finger has been seen as the traditional location for a wedding ring, and the wearing of a ring on this finger has long been a clear and unmistakable sign of one's commitment and devotion to their spouse.
There's no single rule, but divorce rings are commonly worn on the right hand's ring finger for independence or kept on the left hand's ring finger (sometimes resized or reset) as a symbol of past marriage transitioning to a new chapter, with options including the middle finger or thumb for a fresh start. The choice depends on personal meaning, comfort, and avoiding confusion with an engagement ring.
The pinky ring is a common symbol of homosexual pride among the gay community. The small gold band sends a bold message that says "I'm gay" and "I support my friends and loved ones." However, you don't have to be gay to wear one. Wearing a pinky ring is a symbol of acceptance and love.
Perhaps for Meghan, this new pinky ring is a symbol of her self love and self worth, which no doubt are what have allowed her to navigate the past few years with such grace. We're proud to see Meghan Markle embrace the pinky ring, Fred and Far's symbol of self love and sisterhood globally.
Perhaps, with its 12-carat sapphire and 18-carat white gold band, the engagement ring is simply too heavy for day-to-day wear. Or, Kiehna noted, the dazzling jewel may not be seen as suitable for a royal's more “intimate” engagements.
In Europe during the 19th century, pinky rings were linked to aristocratic families. Wealthy men wore signet rings on their pinky fingers to show their family crest or initials. These rings were often used to seal letters with wax, acting as a personal signature.
In her final days, she wore the “Famous Five” dresses designed by Jacques Azagury. The "final goodbye" dress Jacques Azagury was designing at the time of her death would've been her most daring look—and came to represent her newfound independence and personal style.
I omitted obey from my vows.
As Maxwell Stone told Express, Camilla has worn and redesigned several pieces over the years that were “once loved by Princess Diana,” causing “quite a lot of controversy” by doing so.
Black wedding rings symbolize everlasting commitment. They can be an excellent way for a couple to show that they're truly dedicated to their marriage.
The "3-month ring rule" is an outdated marketing tactic from the De Beers diamond company, suggesting you should spend the equivalent of three months' salary on an engagement ring to show commitment, a guideline that evolved from earlier one and two-month suggestions to boost diamond sales in the 1930s and 1980s. While it serves as a simple reference, it's not a real rule and ignores personal finances, with experts recommending basing the decision on affordability, shared goals, and individual preferences rather than this arbitrary financial benchmark.
Avoid wearing it during activities like swimming, exercising, or heavy lifting. Chemicals from cleaning products or beauty routines can dull or damage the metal and stones. Taking it off at night or during travel can prevent accidental loss or theft.
1. What does a pinky ring symbolize? Traditionally worn to convey power, wealth, or status, pinky rings have evolved into personal symbols of identity, legacy, and loyalty.
Left Hand: Wear money attract bracelet on your left hand if your goal is to receive money, luck and wealth. The left hand is believed to be the “receiving hand,” which means it helps pull good energy, money flow and new chances toward you.
The middle finger, being the central digit, is also connected to our ability to make decisions and assert our will. A gold ring here might complicate these areas, making it harder for you to feel confident in your choices or assertive in your actions.
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh (then Countess of Wessex), did not attend Princess Diana's funeral in 1997, reportedly choosing not to go because her strong physical resemblance to Diana would have been too distressing for the public, a decision supported by the Royal Family. At the time, she was dating Prince Edward, but wasn't yet married or engaged, and her resemblance to Diana, particularly with a similar short blonde hairstyle, was often noted, making her presence potentially upsetting for mourners.
“In the '80s, a lot of people were wearing blue eyeliner, and she was so young! She could get away with doing whatever she wanted,” says Greenwell. “She was experimental and absolutely loved makeup, but when she went out on the red carpet, we just tried to make her as glamorous and gorgeous as possible for the time.”
The "333 rule" in clothing refers to two popular, related concepts: the 3-3-3 Styling Method, choosing 3 tops, 3 bottoms, and 3 pairs of shoes to create 27 outfits (3x3x3) for easy styling and travel; and the Project 333, a minimalism challenge to wear only 33 items (including clothes, shoes, and accessories) for 3 months to reduce consumption. Both methods promote versatility, getting creative with existing items, and building a functional capsule wardrobe.