No Wedding Ring for Future King

March 31, 2011— -- After Prince William says "I do," one thing he won't do is wear a wedding ring, a palace official told The Associated Press. No reason was given.

Ringless royal patriarchs are not uncommon. "It's been the same in other royal weddings," a source told US Weekly.

William's grandfather, Prince Phillip, does not wear a wedding ring. Neither did Prince Charles when he married Princess Diana. But that changed when he wed Camilla Parker Bowles in 2005. His left ring finger now bears two bands, a signet and his wedding ring.

Kate, on the other hand, has chosen to wear a wedding band made of Welsh gold.

Using Welsh gold in the wedding ring is a tradition in the royal family dating back to 1923. The Clogau Gold mine, where other royal family members, including Queen Elizabeth, got their gold has been closed. But Kate may still wear a piece of royal history.

According to People magazine, the palace said the Queen gave "a piece of the gold that has been in the family for many years to Prince William as a gift."

The design of Kate's ring is still not known.