Prince William (born June 21, 1982) is the Prince of Wales and heir apparent to the British throne. He is the elder son of King Charles III and the late Princess Diana, and is married to Catherine, Princess of Wales.
Born at St Mary’s Hospital in London, William was educated at Eton College and later studied geography at the University of St Andrews, where he met Catherine Middleton. Before fully taking on royal duties, he served in the British Armed Forces and worked as an air ambulance pilot.
As Prince of Wales, William has become a leading figure in the royal family. He is known for his commitment to mental health awareness, environmental causes, and supporting veterans and young people. Alongside his wife, he represents a new generation of the monarchy.
William is first in line to succeed his father, King Charles III, and is expected to become the future King of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms.
Date of Birth: June 21, 1982
Place of Birth: London, England
Nationality: British
Known for: Prince of Wales, royal duties, charity and philanthropy
| Year(s) | Role / Event | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Titles & Constitutional Roles | |||
| 2022–present | Prince of Wales | Royal Title | Title conferred by King Charles III on 9 September 2022. |
| 2022–present | Duke of Cornwall | Duchy Title | Inherits Duchy of Cornwall; responsible for estate management. |
| 2011–present | Duke of Cambridge | Duchy Title | Granted by Queen Elizabeth II upon marriage to Catherine Middleton. |
| 2011–present | Counsellor of State | Constitutional Role | Authorized to perform constitutional duties when monarch is unavailable. |
| 1982–present | Heir apparent (since 2022) | Succession | First in line to the British throne. |
| Military Service | |||
| 2005 | Royal Military Academy Sandhurst | Training | Completed officer training; commissioned as Second Lieutenant. |
| 2006–2009 | Household Cavalry (Blues and Royals) | Army | Served as troop commander; participated in regular duties and exercises. |
| 2008 | RAF Training | Royal Air Force | Completed advanced flying training; awarded RAF wings by Prince Charles. |
| 2008 | Royal Navy Attachment | Royal Navy | Short-term deployment aboard HMS Iron Duke. |
| Professional Flying Career | |||
| 2010–2013 | RAF Search and Rescue Pilot (No. 22 Squadron) | RAF | Served as co-pilot on Sea King helicopters; participated in numerous rescue missions. |
| 2015–2017 | East Anglian Air Ambulance Pilot | Civil Aviation | Flew emergency medical missions; first senior royal to hold a civilian job of this kind. |
| Senior Royal Duties | |||
| 2011–present | Full-time senior royal | Royal Duties | Represents the Crown in UK and abroad; patron of various military, conservation, and mental-health charities. |
| 2020–present | Key leadership in royal transition | Royal Duties | Increasingly active in constitutional, ceremonial, and charitable roles leading toward future kingship. |
| Patronages & Key Initiatives | |||
| 2011–present | Tusk Trust Patron | Conservation | Supports African wildlife protection initiatives; long-term ambassador. |
| 2020–present | Earthshot Prize Founder | Environmental | Launched global £50M award to incentivize climate and sustainability innovation. |
| 2016–present | Heads Together (co-founder) | Mental Health | Nationwide mental-health campaign with Catherine and Prince Harry. |
| Various years | Royal patronages | Charity | Patron of over 20 charities in areas of homelessness, environment, emergency services, and mental health. |
Prince William dedicates much of his work to modern causes, including mental health initiatives, wildlife conservation, and supporting frontline workers. He has also established charitable foundations to support communities in need.
In 2011, William married Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey. The couple has three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. Their family life and public roles have made them central figures in the future of the monarchy.
As heir to the throne, Prince William is preparing for the responsibilities of kingship. His leadership style, focus on charitable work, and dedication to public service continue to shape his image as a modern monarch-in-waiting.