21 June 1982: Prince William was born
Prince William was born at St Mary's Hospital, London on 21 June 1982 as the
first child of Charles, Prince of Wales (heir apparent to Queen Elizabeth II) and
Diana, Princess of Wales.
His name
His names, William Arthur Philip Louis, were announced by Buckingham Palace
on 28 June.
Baptize
He was baptised by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Robert Runcie, in the
Music Room of Buckingham Palace on 4 August, the 82nd birthday of his
paternal great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.
William had six godparents:
* former King Constantine II of Greece (his paternal second
cousin once removed);
* Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Mrs Ogilvy
(his paternal first cousin twice removed);
* the Duchess of Westminster;
* Lady Susan Hussey (a confidant of The Queen) ;
* Lord Romsey (his paternal second cousin once removed);
and Sir Laurens van der Post.
A first trip
He was the first child born to a Prince and Princess of Wales
since Prince John in 1905.
William accompanied his parents on their 1983 tour of Australia
and New Zealand, when he was nine months old, as his first trip overseas.
He travelled with his family to Canada in 1991 and 1998.
Childhood
Prince William and his younger brother, Harry, were raised at
Kensington Palace in London, and Highgrove House in Gloucestershire.
Known informally as "Wills" within the family, William was nicknamed
"Wombat" by his mother, who wished him and his brother to obtain
broader life experiences than those usually available to royal children.
She took them to Walt Disney World and McDonald's, AIDS clinics,
shelters for the homeless, and bought them items
typically owned by teenagers, such as video games.
Divorce and death of his mother
His parents divorced in 1996. Diana died in a car accident in the early
hours of 31 August 1997. William, then aged 15, together with his
12-year-old brother and their father, were staying at Balmoral Castle at the time.
The Prince of Wales waited until his sons awoke the following morning to
tell them about their mother's death.
William accompanied his father, brother, paternal grandfather Prince Philip,
Duke of Edinburgh, and his maternal uncle Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer,
at his mother's funeral. William and Harry walked behind the funeral cortège
from Kensington Palace to Westminster Abbey.
Education
William was educated at independent schools, starting at Jane Mynors' nursery
school and the pre-preparatory Wetherby School, both in London.
school and the pre-preparatory Wetherby School, both in London.
Following this, he attended Ludgrove School near Wokingham, Berkshire, and was
privately tutored during summers by Rory Stewart. At Ludgrove, he participated
in football, swimming, basketball, clay pigeon shooting, and cross country running.
He sat the entrance exam to Eton College and was admitted. There, he studied
Geography, Biology, and History of Art at A-Level, obtaining an 'A' in
Geography, a 'C' in Biology, and a 'B' in History of Art.
privately tutored during summers by Rory Stewart. At Ludgrove, he participated
in football, swimming, basketball, clay pigeon shooting, and cross country running.
He sat the entrance exam to Eton College and was admitted. There, he studied
Geography, Biology, and History of Art at A-Level, obtaining an 'A' in
Geography, a 'C' in Biology, and a 'B' in History of Art.
At Eton, he took up water polo and continued to play football, captaining
his house team.
his house team.
The decision to place William in Eton went against the family tradition of
sending royal children to Gordonstoun, which his grandfather, father, two uncles,
and two cousins all attended. Diana's father and brother both attended Eton
sending royal children to Gordonstoun, which his grandfather, father, two uncles,
and two cousins all attended. Diana's father and brother both attended Eton
After completing his studies at Eton, William took a gap year, during which he
took part in British Army training exercises in Belize, worked on English dairy farms,
visited Africa, and for ten weeks taught children in southern Chile. As part of the
Raleigh International programme in the town of Tortel, William lived with other
young volunteers, sharing in the common household chores—including cleaning
the toilet—and also volunteered as a guest disc jockey at a local radio station.
His interest in African culture prompted him to teach himself Swahili.
took part in British Army training exercises in Belize, worked on English dairy farms,
visited Africa, and for ten weeks taught children in southern Chile. As part of the
Raleigh International programme in the town of Tortel, William lived with other
young volunteers, sharing in the common household chores—including cleaning
the toilet—and also volunteered as a guest disc jockey at a local radio station.
His interest in African culture prompted him to teach himself Swahili.
By 2001, William was back in the United Kingdom and had enrolled at the
University of St Andrews. The extra attention did not deter him; he embarked
on a degree course in Art History, later changing his main subject to Geography.
William wrote his dissertation on the coral reefs of Rodrigues in the Indian Ocean
and graduated with Scottish Master of Arts degree with upper second class
honours in 2005.
University of St Andrews. The extra attention did not deter him; he embarked
on a degree course in Art History, later changing his main subject to Geography.
William wrote his dissertation on the coral reefs of Rodrigues in the Indian Ocean
and graduated with Scottish Master of Arts degree with upper second class
honours in 2005.
While at university, he represented the Scottish national universities water polo
team at the Celtic Nations tournament in 2004.He was known as "Steve"
by other students to avoid any journalists overhearing and realising his identity.
team at the Celtic Nations tournament in 2004.He was known as "Steve"
by other students to avoid any journalists overhearing and realising his identity.
William returned to St Andrews alongside his wife in February 2011 as patron of
the university's 600th Anniversary Appeal.
the university's 600th Anniversary Appeal.
Upon graduation from university, William interned in land management at
Chatsworth House and in banking at HSBC To prepare for his eventual management
of the Duchy of Cornwall, in 2014, he enrolled in a vocational agricultural
management course at Cambridge, which was organised by the Cambridge
Programme for Sustainability Leadership (CPSL), of which his father is patron.
Chatsworth House and in banking at HSBC To prepare for his eventual management
of the Duchy of Cornwall, in 2014, he enrolled in a vocational agricultural
management course at Cambridge, which was organised by the Cambridge
Programme for Sustainability Leadership (CPSL), of which his father is patron.
Army
Having decided to follow a military career, he was admitted to the Royal
Military Academy Sandhurst in January 2006. William officially received
his commission as a lieutenant at midnight. As "Lieutenant Wales"—
a name based on his father's title Prince of Wales—
he followed his younger brother into the Blues and Royals as a troop
commander in an armoured reconnaissance
unit, after which he spent five months training for the post at
Bovington Camp, Dorset.
Military Academy Sandhurst in January 2006. William officially received
his commission as a lieutenant at midnight. As "Lieutenant Wales"—
a name based on his father's title Prince of Wales—
he followed his younger brother into the Blues and Royals as a troop
commander in an armoured reconnaissance
unit, after which he spent five months training for the post at
Bovington Camp, Dorset.
After completing his training, William undertook an attachment
with the Royal Air Force at RAF Cranwell. Upon completing
the course he was presented with his RAF wings by his father,
who had received his own wings after training at Cranwell.
with the Royal Air Force at RAF Cranwell. Upon completing
the course he was presented with his RAF wings by his father,
who had received his own wings after training at Cranwell.
During this secondment, William flew to Afghanistan in a C-17
Globemaster that repatriated the body of Trooper Robert Pearson.
Globemaster that repatriated the body of Trooper Robert Pearson.
William was then seconded to train with the Royal Navy. He completed
an accelerated Naval Officer training course at the
Britannia Royal Naval College.
an accelerated Naval Officer training course at the
Britannia Royal Naval College.
Whilst serving on HMS Iron Duke in June 2008, William participated
in a £40m drug bust in the Atlantic, north-east of Barbados. He
was a part of the crew on the Lynx helicopter which helped seize
900 kg of cocaine from a speedboat.
in a £40m drug bust in the Atlantic, north-east of Barbados. He
was a part of the crew on the Lynx helicopter which helped seize
900 kg of cocaine from a speedboat.
Royal Air Force
In January 2009, William transferred his commission to the RAF and was
promoted to Flight Lieutenant. He trained to become a helicopter pilot with the
RAF's Search and Rescue Force. In January 2010, he graduated from the
Defence Helicopter Flying School at RAF Shawbury.
promoted to Flight Lieutenant. He trained to become a helicopter pilot with the
RAF's Search and Rescue Force. In January 2010, he graduated from the
Defence Helicopter Flying School at RAF Shawbury.
On 26 January 2010, he transferred to the Search and Rescue Training Unit at
RAF Valley, Anglesey, to receive training on the Sea King search and rescue
helicopter; he graduated in September 2010. This made him the first member
of the British royal family since Henry VII to live in Wales.
RAF Valley, Anglesey, to receive training on the Sea King search and rescue
helicopter; he graduated in September 2010. This made him the first member
of the British royal family since Henry VII to live in Wales.
In 2014, it was announced that William would accept a full-time role as a pilot
with the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) based at Cambridge Airport.
Despite his qualifications as a military helicopter pilot, William needed a civil
pilot's licence and further training before being permitted to take command of
the Air Ambulance. Although his position was paid, Kensington Palace
announced that William would donate his full salary to the EAAA charity.
with the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) based at Cambridge Airport.
Despite his qualifications as a military helicopter pilot, William needed a civil
pilot's licence and further training before being permitted to take command of
the Air Ambulance. Although his position was paid, Kensington Palace
announced that William would donate his full salary to the EAAA charity.
He underwent part of his training as an EAAA pilot at Norwich Airport.
On 13 July 2015, William started his new job, which he felt was a natural
progression from his previous role as an RAF search-and-rescue pilot.
On 13 July 2015, William started his new job, which he felt was a natural
progression from his previous role as an RAF search-and-rescue pilot.
William left his position with EAAA in July 2017 to assume full-time royal
duties on behalf of his grandmother. After supporting an anniversary
campaign for London's Air Ambulance Charity in 2019, the Duke became the
charity's official patron in March 2020.
duties on behalf of his grandmother. After supporting an anniversary
campaign for London's Air Ambulance Charity in 2019, the Duke became the
charity's official patron in March 2020.
Love and marriage
In 2001, William met Catherine Middleton while they were students in
residence at St Salvator's Hall at the University of St Andrews. She reportedly
caught William's attention at a charity fashion show on campus.
residence at St Salvator's Hall at the University of St Andrews. She reportedly
caught William's attention at a charity fashion show on campus.
The couple began dating in 2003. During their second year, William
shared a flat with Middleton and two other friends. From 2003 to 2005, they
both resided at Balgove House on the Strathtyrum estate with two roommates.
shared a flat with Middleton and two other friends. From 2003 to 2005, they
both resided at Balgove House on the Strathtyrum estate with two roommates.
Their relationship was followed so closely by the tabloid press that bookmakers
took bets on the possibility of marriage, and the retail chain Woolworths
produced memorabilia bearing their likenesses. Media attention became so intense
that William formally asked the press to keep their distance from Middleton.
On 15 December 2006, Middleton attended Prince William's Passing Out Parade
at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
took bets on the possibility of marriage, and the retail chain Woolworths
produced memorabilia bearing their likenesses. Media attention became so intense
that William formally asked the press to keep their distance from Middleton.
On 15 December 2006, Middleton attended Prince William's Passing Out Parade
at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
In April 2007, William and Middleton ended their relationship. Middleton and
her family attended the Concert for Diana in July 2007 at Wembley Stadium,
where she and Prince William sat two rows apart. The couple were subsequently
seen together in public on a number of occasions and news sources stated
that they had "rekindled their relationship".
her family attended the Concert for Diana in July 2007 at Wembley Stadium,
where she and Prince William sat two rows apart. The couple were subsequently
seen together in public on a number of occasions and news sources stated
that they had "rekindled their relationship".
Middleton was in attendance during the Order of the Garter procession
ceremony at Windsor Castle in June 2008, where Prince William was made a
Royal Knight of the Garter.
ceremony at Windsor Castle in June 2008, where Prince William was made a
Royal Knight of the Garter.
In June 2010, the couple moved into a cottage on the Bodorgan Estate
in Anglesey, Wales, where William resided during his RAF search-and-
rescue training and subsequent career.
in Anglesey, Wales, where William resided during his RAF search-and-
rescue training and subsequent career.
On 16 November 2010, Clarence House announced that William and Catherine
were to marry; the couple had become engaged in Kenya in October.
were to marry; the couple had become engaged in Kenya in October.
The engagement ring given by William to Catherine had belonged to his mother.
The wedding took place on 29 April 2011 in Westminster Abbey, London.
The wedding took place on 29 April 2011 in Westminster Abbey, London.
A few hours before the ceremony, William's new titles Duke of Cambridge,
Earl of Strathearn, and Baron Carrickfergus were announced.
Earl of Strathearn, and Baron Carrickfergus were announced.
The couple were given the country home, Anmer Hall, on the Sandringham Estate,
as a wedding gift from the Queen.
as a wedding gift from the Queen.
Catherine's first pregnancy was announced on 3 December 2012. She was admitted on
22 July 2013 to the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital, London, where Prince William
had been delivered. Later that day, she gave birth to Prince George.
22 July 2013 to the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital, London, where Prince William
had been delivered. Later that day, she gave birth to Prince George.
On 8 September 2014, it was announced that the Duchess of Cambridge was pregnant
with her second child. She was admitted on 2 May 2015 to the same hospital
and gave birth to Princess Charlotte.
with her second child. She was admitted on 2 May 2015 to the same hospital
and gave birth to Princess Charlotte.
The Duchess's third pregnancy was announced on 4 September 2017; Prince Louis
was born on 23 April 2018. The family officially reside at Kensington Palace.
was born on 23 April 2018. The family officially reside at Kensington Palace.
William is the godfather of:
Prince Constantine Alexios of Greece and Denmark (b. 1998),
a distant relation though his grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh,
and Mia Tindall (b. 2014),
the eldest child of his paternal cousin, Zara Tindall.
Prince Constantine Alexios of Greece and Denmark (b. 1998),
a distant relation though his grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh,
and Mia Tindall (b. 2014),
the eldest child of his paternal cousin, Zara Tindall.
Titles
The hereditary titles of Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Strathearn, and Baron
Carrickfergus were announced on 29 April 2011 and formally patented on 26 May
that year. Royal communications have stated that William is formally known as the
Earl of Strathearn in Scotland.28
Carrickfergus were announced on 29 April 2011 and formally patented on 26 May
that year. Royal communications have stated that William is formally known as the
Earl of Strathearn in Scotland.28
He is a Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter (KG), a
Knight of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle (KT), a member of
the Privy Council of the United Kingdom (PC), and a Personal Aide-de-Camp (ADC)
to the Queen.
Knight of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle (KT), a member of
the Privy Council of the United Kingdom (PC), and a Personal Aide-de-Camp (ADC)
to the Queen.
As a British prince, William does not use a surname for everyday purposes.
For formal and ceremonial purposes, children of the Prince of Wales use the title
"prince" or "princess" before their forename and follow it with their father's
territorial designation. Thus, before becoming a duke when he married, Prince
William was styled "Prince William of Wales". Such territorial designations
are discarded by women when they marry and by men if they become peers
in their own right, such as when Prince William was made a duke.
For formal and ceremonial purposes, children of the Prince of Wales use the title
"prince" or "princess" before their forename and follow it with their father's
territorial designation. Thus, before becoming a duke when he married, Prince
William was styled "Prince William of Wales". Such territorial designations
are discarded by women when they marry and by men if they become peers
in their own right, such as when Prince William was made a duke.
Although the name of the Royal House is Windsor, the surname
Mountbatten-Windsor belongs to all the children and male-line
descendants of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip,
and is used, if needed, by those who do not have the style of
Royal Highness and the title Prince or Princess; when a female
descendant marries, she traditionally takes her
husband's surname from that point onward, and their
children take their father's.
Mountbatten-Windsor belongs to all the children and male-line
descendants of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip,
and is used, if needed, by those who do not have the style of
Royal Highness and the title Prince or Princess; when a female
descendant marries, she traditionally takes her
husband's surname from that point onward, and their
children take their father's.
Both Princes William and Harry used Wales as their surname
for military purposes; this continues to be the case for
William since his creation as Duke of Cambridge.
for military purposes; this continues to be the case for
William since his creation as Duke of Cambridge.
In 2022, William and his wife Catherine became Prince and Princess
of Wales.
of Wales.
Source pictures: Wikipedia
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