THE royal couple are all ready to exchange rings at the end of the month. The trouble is, Prince William doesn’t want to wear one.

Palace officials revealed on Thursday the groom-to-be has decided against wearing a wedding band.

One aide said: “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.”

Prince William will follow in the footsteps of the Duke of Edinburgh who also chose to ditch the jewellery.

Most other royals do wear a wedding ring of some kind, including Prince Charles who wears his next to a signet ring on the little finger of his left hand.

Prince William’s move is said to be approved by his fiancee Kate Middleton.

Alison Crawford, manager of Forum Jewellers in Broadstone said: “I am shocked and surprised at William’s decision.

“I am wondering why there wasn’t pressure from Kate and the rest of the royal family.

“He is in the public eye, after all, and I would have thought it more appropriate for him to have a ring to wear at least on official engagements.”

When it comes to the buying public, Alison said that around five per cent of men opt out of purchasing a wedding band.

“Like William, they tend to be males who just aren’t into jewellery.”

Of the majority who do, many are going for diamond-set rings in order to match their bride’s choice.

Another new trend is the metal palladium, which has only been hallmarked since last year.

“It’s a member of the platinum family but lighter in weight and is therefore a more affordable option,” she said.

Trina Horrocks, Director of Horrocks and Webb fine jewellers in Blandford said: “I would say that 95 per cent of gents do wear a ring. In general they go for plain platinum bands instead of gold, but recently we have seen more of a trend for pattern such as engraved lines.

“I know of men who have chosen a ring, but only wear it for social occasions. They don’t want to wear it during work hours if they are in manual jobs – for example builders or mechanics – as they are worried they will either damage the ring.

“Likewise with William’s day job in search and rescue, a ring might not be practical.”

The tradition of wearing a wedding ring goes as far back as Roman times. Originally worn by wives only, wedding rings became customary for both husbands and wives during the 20th century. The Romans believed that the vein in that finger runs directly to the heart.

The wedding ring is a never-ending circle, symbolises everlasting love.