No wedding ring for Prince William

Britain's Prince William will not wear a wedding ring once he is married to Kate Middleton.

Although his bride-to-be is to wear a specially-designed band made from Welsh gold owned by the royal family, her future husband has opted to leave his finger bare because he prefers not to wear jewellery.

A St James's Palace aide told Britain's Daily Mail: "It was something the couple discussed but Prince William isn't one for jewellery - he doesn't even wear a signet ring - and decided he didn't want to. It really is just down to personal preference.

"Catherine will wear a ring fashioned from a lump of Welsh gold owned by the royal family that has been smelted down. The couple have both had a hand in the design.

"This is the ring Prince Harry will carry and hand over in the traditional way."

Although William's father Prince Charles wears a wedding ring, it is not unusual for male monarchs to eschew the tradition.

Another source said: 'It is quite common for men in that strata of society not to wear a traditional wedding band. If they do, they tend to wear it with their family signet ring but William doesn't have one of those."

The gold used to make Kate's band was a gift to the prince from his grandmother Queen Elizabeth while the historic piece of jewellery will be made by an expert craftsman, rumoured to be the crown jeweler Harry Collins.