As one half of one of the royal world’s most loved-up couples, many have wondered why the future king has decided to keep his left hand bling-free — especially as his wife, Kate Middleton, wears a sapphire engagement ring and an 18-karat Welsh gold wedding band.

You might assume that this is due to the fact that royal tradition used to dictate that men do not wear jewelry. However, as etiquette expert David Miller points out, this is no longer an issue for modern royals.

“Wearing a wedding ring used to be uncommon for men but now it is quite accepted practice,” he said, according to The Telegraph.

“That said, it really is a matter of personal choice and members of the Royal Family often chose to wear it with a signet ring on the little finger of their left hand.” 

In fact, most male royals do wear a wedding ring of some kind, with the exception of the Duke of Edinburgh: Prince Charles, for example, wears a gold wedding ring under a signet ring on the little finger of his left hand given to him by the Duchess of Cornwall.

However, Prince William has decided that a signet ring is just not for him.

“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,” revealed a palace aide, shortly before the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding in 2011.

And, while it may seem like William is reverting to age-old royal traditions, experts have suggested that nothing could be further from the truth.

Diane Clehane, author of Imagining Diana, tells Vogue that bucking a modern norm for a traditional one may be the most modern thing the prince could have done. 

“William and Kate have shown us they are modern royals and are confident in each other’s love for one another,” she said. 

“Kate omitted the word ‘obey’ in her wedding vows, and William has opted not to wear a ring, which makes them like many millennial couples —intent on doing things their way.”

Although you’d have to be living under a rock to not know Prince William’s marital status, it is nice to see that the couple are making personal decisions that suit their own needs in spite of all the pressures that come from having a high-profile relationship.

Images: Rex Features