Queen Maxima of the Netherlands' engagement ring is often pictured on her right hand, unlike other royal brides. Both engagement and wedding rings are traditionally worn on the fourth finger of your left hand, as shown by the likes of Meghan Markle, Kate Middleton and Princess Eugenie.
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But there actually could be a very sentimental reason that Maxima switches between her two hands, and it is based on past religious practice.
The royal was raised in the Catholic Church, which used to see people favour their right hand for their engagement and wedding rings because it was supposedly associated with strength. However, her husband King Willem-Alexander is Protestant and they typically wore rings on their left hands as a way to symbolise the break from the Catholic Church.
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Perhaps Maxima could be honouring both of their traditions by alternating her engagement and wedding bands between the two. Today, many Catholics also wear the wedding ring on the ring finger, but the right hand is still custom in some European countries.
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When Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander announced their engagement on 30 March 2001, royal fans first caught a glimpse of the unusual ring.
Queen Maxima wears her engagement and wedding bands on both hands
The then Prince of Orange presented his future bride with an impressive white gold engagement ring encrusted with sparkling gems from jewellery house Steltman.
It featured a unique oval orange diamond at the centre flanked by two emerald-cut diamonds – which has symbolic significance as it was a subtle nod to the national colour of the Netherlands.
The couple got engaged in 2002
A little under a year after Queen Beatrix announced their official engagement, Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander got married on 2 February 2002.
The bride wore a beautiful gown by Valentino which featured a cowl neckline, three-quarter sleeves and a stunning 16.4ft lace train. The former banker topped off her look with a diamond tiara and a lace veil.
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