Part of: Buy and sell signet rings
King Charles wears a gold signet ring on the little finger of his left hand, a ring he has worn since the 1970s, when he was Prince of Wales. It is engraved with the badge of the Prince of Wales: three ostrich feathers rising from a coronet, with the motto "Ich Dien", German for "I serve". The ring belongs to a long British tradition of signet rings engraved with a family’s crest or badge and worn on the little finger.
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What is engraved on King Charles's signet ring?
The face of the ring carries the heraldic badge of the Prince of Wales: three white ostrich feathers emerging from a gold coronet, above a ribbon with the motto "Ich Dien", "I serve". The feathers and motto have been the badge of the heir to the throne since the 1300s, when they were used by Edward, the Black Prince.
Why does King Charles wear his ring on his little finger?
In Britain the signet ring is traditionally worn on the little finger of the left hand, a custom kept by the royal family and the aristocracy for generations. King Charles has worn his this way for decades, often with his wedding ring.
The badge now belongs to Prince William
The feathers are the badge of the Prince of Wales, not of the sovereign. When Charles became King on 8 September 2022, the title of Prince of Wales passed to his son William, and with it the use of the badge.
Royal signets in history
- A working seal. For centuries English kings authenticated letters with a personal seal called the signet, kept by a royal secretary. The Signet Office that handled it was abolished in 1851.
- Heraldry in gold. Royal and noble signets were engraved in reverse with arms, crests or badges, so that the seal read correctly in the wax.
- Rings as gifts. Signet rings with family crests have long been given at coming of age, passed from parent to child and kept as heirlooms.
How to read an antique signet ring
- Engraved crest or arms
- What it tells you
- The family or office the ring belonged to; reverse engraving shows it was made to seal
- Stone face
- What it tells you
- Carnelian, bloodstone, onyx or sardonyx intaglios were favoured for seals
- Hallmarks
- What it tells you
- British hallmarks give the metal, maker, assay office and year
- Wear
- What it tells you
- Softened engraving and a thinned shank point to long use
- Shape
- What it tells you
- Oval, cushion and shield faces each belong to different periods and fashions
Have an antique signet ring? Send clear photographs of the face, the sides and the hallmarks inside the shank for a free, honest check.
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What makes a signet ring valuable?
The metal and its marks, the age, the quality and interest of the engraving (named families and armorials are sought after), any stone intaglio, the condition and the provenance. We never publish figures; every piece is different.
Free, no obligation, and returned at our cost if you decline.
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- Metal and marks
- Age
- Engraving
- Intaglio
- Condition
- Provenance
How selling works
- 1
Send photographs
of the face, the sides and the hallmarks.
- 2
Free value inspection
We reply within one working day with an estimate, subject to inspection. If our offer differs, you can decline and we return it at our cost.
- 3
Paid the same day after inspection
by bank transfer or in cash, in Mayfair, at our Braintree office, by post or by free collection.
Questions people ask
What does King Charles's signet ring show?
The badge of the Prince of Wales: three ostrich feathers rising from a coronet, with the motto "Ich Dien", "I serve".
Which finger does King Charles wear his signet ring on?
The little finger of his left hand, the traditional finger for a signet ring in Britain.
How long has King Charles worn his signet ring?
Since the 1970s, when he was Prince of Wales.
What does "Ich Dien" mean?
"I serve", in German. It has been the motto of the Prince of Wales since the 1300s.
Why do British men wear signet rings on the little finger?
It is the traditional British way of wearing a signet ring, kept by the royal family and the aristocracy for generations.
Will Prince William wear the Prince of Wales signet?
The feathers badge now belongs to William as Prince of Wales. Whether he wears this particular ring has not been announced.
Related guides
Have a signet ring with a crest or coat of arms?
Send a few photographs and we will tell you what it is and what it is worth, free.
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