Is Asking Permission For Marriage From A Bride-To-Be’s Father A Dying Art?

Since Prince William asked for Kate Middleton’s hand in marriage last month there has been much speculation in the press about the bride-to-be’s sapphire engagement ring – one of the most talked about rings in the world – but much less interest in the circumstances in which the nation’s favourite Prince proposed.

We know that the couple had been talking about marriage for some time and that William proposed on holiday in Kenya with his late mother Princess Diana’s sapphire engagement ring, yet a lesser known fact is that the Prince didn’t ask Kate’s father for his daughter’s hand in marriage until AFTER he proposed.

That news came as quite a surprise to seasoned Royal watchers given the importance of tradition and honour in the British Royal family, but others have defended the move saying it merely reflected the Prince’s modern outlook on life.

The truth is that most men these days DON’T ask a woman’s father for permission to marry.

Perhaps it is the fear of rejection before they even pop the question, or that they think the practice is antiquated or even misogynistic; the key is it is undoubtedly a declining trend.

At Rings.org.uk, we think the most important thing is to propose in style and you can see how to do just that with our informative Top 5 Tips For Proposing article.