Full title: His Royal Highness The Prince William Arthur Philip Louis, Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Stratheran, Baron Carrickfergus, Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, Knight of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, Member of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom, Aide-de-camp to Her Majesty.
Known as: HRH Prince William, Duke of Cambridge
Name at birth: HRH Prince William of Wales
Date of birth: 21/06/1982
Did you know?... The Duke has a degree in Geography from the University of St Andrews.
Prince William was born to Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, and Diana, Princess of Wales, on 21st June 1982. He was born at St Mary’s hospital in Paddington, London. He is the eldest of two children, having a younger brother, Harry, born in 1984. The Prince grew up in both Kensington Palace, London, and various country residence’s of his family. He attended various public schools, ending at Eton College, studying A-levels in Geography, History of Art, and Biology. The Prince enjoys playing different sports to this day, some of which he took up during his time at school, such as Polo, Water Polo, and Football.
The Prince took a gap year, taking part in British Army exercises in Belize, visiting Southern Chile as part of the Raleigh Programme where he taught young children and lived in shared accommodation with other volunteers, and visited English Dairy Farms. He also visited Africa, and has had a lifelong love of that continent, making several visits and taking part in charitable work, especially conservation, there.
Prince William attend the University of St Andrews in Scotland. He was allowed to study and live without press and media intrusion, and lived in both Halls of Residence, and private accommodation shared with fellow students and friends. The Prince started off studying History of Art, but switched to Geography. This was a time of relative normality for the Prince. It was at university that he met his now-wife, Catherine Middleton, a middle class girl, not from a royal or aristocratic background.
The Prince trained for the Military at Sandhurst, but his position as second in line to the throne has prevented him from seeing combat. Later the Prince trained with both the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. After becoming a helicopter pilot, the Prince worked as a search and rescue helicopter pilot on the Isle of Anglesey, Wales, and later as an air ambulance pilot in Norfolk. I think that these roles have truly allowed the prince to serve, through the military training he has had, and enabled him to understand everyday people, something that stands him in good stead in his royal role.
The Prince married the now Duchess of Cambridge in 2011, at a big State Royal Wedding at Westminster Abbey. They have 3 children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. They split their time between Kensington Palace in London and Anmer Hall, their home in Norfolk which was gifted to them by the Queen. It is situated on the Queen’s Sandringham Estate. The Queen bestowed the title Duke of Cambridge on her grandson upon the occasion of his marriage. As a father, the Prince has been able to take the wisdom he has accumulated about how to function in a 21st Century Royal Family, and make it work, but also to keep an element of a private life.
Much of the Prince’s charitable work is fuelled by his own experiences and the influence of his parents. I think that makes his work more effective, as he has greater reasons to uphold it, and personal passion and drive. The areas he works in include conservation, young people, mental health, the arts, and homelessness. Some of his charitable patronages are ones that his mother held before him, highlighting the continuity of the royals. It shows Prince William believes in the royal family's role, and is one way he can show his commitment to continue and uphold it. He embraces modern technology and the media to further advance the causes close to him, such as a documentary about climate change shown on TV in 2020. This is an influence of his father, I believe. Prince Charles fights for causes close to his heart, and doesn’t allow his position to compromise his authenticity. He, too, occasionally appears on TV to create greater awareness for his causes.
The Prince is careful with his media presence, and the intrusion it can cause, especially upon his children. This is I think fuelled by the death of his mother, Diana, in 1997 from a car crash in Paris. Diana struggled with media intrusion and the hounding of the press throughout her public life. Another way she has influenced her son I believe is in his ability and determination to engage at a human level with the public, something Diana mastered. Diana also never compromised who she was as a person, remaining true to herself, in much the same way that William has. Yet, Prince William is equally aware of his public role, tradition, and need to serve the country, perhaps taken from his grandmother the Queen. The Cambridge’s regularly release photos of their family, and their children are seen at some public events, allowing the media intrusion and public interest in them to be on their own terms. Clever.
I am intrigued to see how the Duke of Cambridge, and his wife, will lead the monarchy as their roles increase. They have a tricky job of modernising the monarchy and still upholding tradition. They are much admired by the press and public for their family values, and authenticity, and genuine interest in others. They relate at a human level, yet still maintain the awe and respect of monarchy. This is, I think, thanks to the many influences upon the Prince, and his ability to analyse these influences and take from each what he needs.