For most men, it's tradition to wear a wedding band after a marriage has taken place. Not so for male royals, many of whom prefer to go without – a decision that has its roots in historical aristocratic etiquette.

While for women, the tradition apparently dates back to the Egyptian times when reeds and gold rushes were twisted into small ring-like braids, men only started wearing marital rings during World War II when soldiers fighting overseas wore them as a reminder of their family back home.

However, it's not a custom the royal family has ever adopted in earnest. Prince Charles wears a wedding band next to his signet ring, but the Duke of Edinburgh and the Duke of Cambridge have all opted out of the tradition. Apparently, among the upper classes, this is the norm.

"It is not unusual at all for men from the upper sets in Britain to shun wearing a wedding band," said etiquette expert William Hanson. "This is not because of any intentions that they may wish to play away from home once married, but because it was traditionally not the done thing for gentlemen to wear jewellery. Years ago, this even included watches, but even hardened snobs have relaxed on that front."

"Not wearing a wedding band is one of those quirky British silent class indicators, like the colour of your shoes on a Thursday, or the way you fold your top pocket handkerchief," he added.

There is, however, an exception to the non-jewellery rule – the signet ring.

"The signet ring shows lineage, which is obviously more important than any comparatively trivial romance," says Hanson. "Signet rings should only have a family crest on - ones with your initials are treated as a bit suspect."

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