William, Prince of Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids William |
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William in 2024
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| Born | Prince William of Wales 21 June 1982 St Mary's Hospital, London, England |
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| House | Windsor | ||||
| Father | Charles III | ||||
| Mother | Diana Spencer | ||||
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| Allegiance | United Kingdom | ||||
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British Armed Forces | ||||
| Active service | 2006–2013 | ||||
| Rank | See list | ||||
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William, Prince of Wales (full name: William Arthur Philip Louis; born 21 June 1982), is the heir apparent to the British throne. This means he is next in line to become king. He is the older son of King Charles III and Diana, Princess of Wales.
William was born when his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, was on the throne. He went to schools like Eton College and later studied geography at the University of St Andrews. There, he met his future wife, Catherine Middleton. They have three children: George, Charlotte and Louis.
After university, William trained in the military at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He served in the Blues and Royals regiment. He also joined the RAF Search and Rescue Force as a helicopter pilot. Later, he worked as a full-time pilot for the East Anglian Air Ambulance for two years.
Today, William carries out official duties for the King. He supports many charities and military groups. His charity work focuses on mental health, protecting nature, helping people without homes, and supporting emergency workers. In 2020, William started the Earthshot Prize. This is a big project that offers £50 million to find solutions for environmental problems over ten years.
William became Duke of Cambridge when he married in April 2011. When his father became King on 8 September 2022, William became Duke of Cornwall and Duke of Rothesay. The very next day, he was given the title Prince of Wales.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Prince William was born in London at St Mary's Hospital, London on 21 June 1982. He was the first child of King Charles III (who was then the Prince of Wales) and his first wife, Diana, Princess of Wales. His grandmother, Elizabeth II, was the Queen at the time. His full name, William Arthur Philip Louis, was announced a week later. He was baptised at Buckingham Palace on 4 August.
William was the first child born to a Prince and Princess of Wales since 1905. When he was nine months old, William went on his first trip overseas with his parents. They visited Australia and New Zealand in 1983. He also traveled with his family to Canada in 1991 and 1998.
Prince William and his younger brother, Harry, grew up in Kensington Palace in London. They also spent time at Highgrove House in Gloucestershire. His mother, Diana, called him "Wombat" sometimes. She wanted him and Harry to experience more of normal life than other royal children. She took them to places like Walt Disney World and McDonald's. She also took them to visit AIDS clinics and homeless shelters.
William's parents divorced in 1996. His mother, Diana, died in a car accident on 31 August 1997. William was 15 years old at the time. He was staying at Balmoral Castle with his brother and father. His father, Charles, told them about their mother's death the next morning. At his mother's funeral, William and Harry walked behind her coffin. They walked with their father, their grandfather Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and their uncle Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer.
Education and Learning
William went to private schools. He started at Jane Mynors' nursery school and Wetherby School in London. After that, he attended Ludgrove School in Berkshire. At Ludgrove, he played football, swam, played basketball, and ran cross country running.
He then went to Eton College. There, he studied geography, biology, and history of art. He was good at swimming and became captain of the swimming team at Eton. He also played water polo and football. Sending William to Eton was a change from family tradition. Many royal children had gone to Gordonstoun.
After Eton, William took a year off before university. He trained with the British Army in Belize. He also worked on dairy farms in England and visited Africa. As part of a program in Chile, he worked on building projects and taught English. He lived with other young volunteers and helped with chores, even cleaning toilets. He also worked as a guest DJ at a local radio station. His interest in Africa led him to learn some Swahili.
In 2001, William started at the University of St Andrews. The media agreed to respect his privacy while he was there. Students were also asked not to share stories about him. He first studied Art History but later changed to Geography. William wrote his final paper on the coral reefs of Rodrigues in the Indian Ocean. He graduated in 2005 with a Master of Arts degree. While at university, he played for the Scottish national water polo team. To avoid attention, other students called him "Steve."
After university, William gained experience in land management at Chatsworth House. He also worked in banking at HSBC. In 2014, he took a course at Cambridge University. This course helped him prepare to manage the Duchy of Cornwall. The Duchy is a large estate that provides income for the monarch's eldest son. William inherited it when his father became King in 2022.
Early Royal Duties
When William was 21, he became a Counsellor of State. This meant he could act on behalf of the Queen if she was away or unwell. He first did this in 2003. In July 2005, he went on his first solo trip overseas to New Zealand. He attended events to remember World War II.
In 2009, the Queen set up a special office for William and Harry. In January 2010, William went on his first official tour with an adviser. He visited Auckland and Wellington in New Zealand. He opened a new building for the Supreme Court of New Zealand. Crowds of people came to see him, and his visit was very popular. In March 2011, William visited Christchurch, New Zealand, after a big earthquake. He spoke at a memorial service for his grandmother. He also traveled to Australia to see areas affected by floods.
Military and Air Ambulance Service
William decided to join the military. In January 2006, he entered the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He was known as "Lieutenant Wales," using his father's title. He joined the Blues and Royals regiment.
Because he was second in line to the throne, there were concerns about him serving in combat. The government decided it would be too risky for him and others. Instead, William trained in the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. He became a sub-lieutenant in the Navy and a flying officer in the Air Force. After his training, his father presented him with his RAF wings.
In January 2009, William joined the RAF full-time. He trained to be a helicopter pilot with the RAF Search and Rescue Force. He graduated in January 2010. He then moved to RAF Valley in Anglesey, Wales, to train on the Sea King search and rescue helicopter. He graduated in September 2010. This made him the first royal family member since Henry VII to live in Wales.
William's first rescue mission as a co-pilot was on 2 October 2010. In November 2011, he helped rescue two sailors from a sinking cargo ship. He also served in the Falkland Islands for six weeks in 2012. By June 2012, he was qualified to be the main pilot of a Sea King. He finished his active service as an RAF search-and-rescue pilot in September 2013. He took part in 156 rescue operations and helped save 149 people.
On 13 July 2015, William started working full-time as a pilot for the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA). He felt this was a natural step from his search-and-rescue role. He gave his entire salary to the EAAA charity. William often dealt with serious medical cases. He has spoken about how seeing difficult situations affected his mental health. The BBC noted that William experienced the National Health Service in a unique way for a senior royal.
William left his EAAA job in July 2017 to focus on his royal duties. In March 2020, he became the official patron of the London's Air Ambulance Charity. He even allowed them to refuel at Kensington Palace during the COVID-19 pandemic. In February 2023, he became patron of the Wales Air Ambulance charity.
Personal Life and Family
In 2001, William met Catherine Middleton at the University of St Andrews. They lived in the same student hall and became close friends. She reportedly caught his eye at a charity fashion show in 2002. During their second year, they shared a flat with two other friends. The couple started dating in 2003.
Their relationship was closely watched by the media. The attention became so strong that William asked the press to leave Middleton alone. In April 2007, they were reported to have broken up briefly but got back together later that year. In June 2010, they moved into a cottage in Anglesey, Wales, where they lived until 2014.
Marriage and Children
William and Catherine got engaged in October 2010 while on holiday in Kenya. Their engagement was announced on 16 November. William gave Catherine his mother's engagement ring. Their wedding took place at Westminster Abbey on 29 April 2011. About a million people watched the procession in London. Over 300 million people worldwide reportedly watched the wedding.
After their wedding, William and Catherine used Nottingham Cottage as their London home. In 2013, they moved into Apartment 1A at Kensington Palace after renovations. The Queen gave them Anmer Hall on the Sandringham Estate as a wedding gift. They lived there from 2015 to 2017. In 2017, Kensington Palace became their main home. Later, the family moved to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor.
Catherine's first pregnancy was announced in December 2012. She gave birth to Prince George of Wales on 22 July 2013 at St Mary's Hospital in London. Her second pregnancy was announced in September 2014. Princess Charlotte was born on 2 May 2015 at the same hospital. Their third child, Prince Louis of Wales, was born on 23 April 2018. William and Catherine have two English Cocker Spaniels, named Lupo and Orla.
Duke of Cambridge Duties
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On his wedding day in April 2011, William received the titles Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Strathearn, and Baron Carrickfergus. That summer, he and Catherine toured Canada. They attended Canada Day celebrations and William gave speeches, including one entirely in French. The couple were praised for being easy to relate to.
William and Catherine were ambassadors for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. In September 2012, they toured Singapore, Malaysia, Tuvalu, and the Solomon Islands. This was part of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations. In October 2013, William held his first investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace. This was an important part of his public duties after leaving the Royal Air Force.
In April 2014, William and Catherine toured New Zealand and Australia with their son, George. The tour was very popular. In August 2014, William, Catherine, and Harry represented the royal family at World War I events in Belgium. In December 2014, William and Catherine visited New York and Washington DC. William spoke at the World Bank, speaking out against the illegal wildlife trade.
In 2015 and 2016, William visited countries in Asia, including Japan, China, Bhutan, and India. He was the first royal to visit mainland China in almost 30 years. His diplomatic skills were praised by the press. In 2017, William and Catherine visited France, Poland, Germany, and Belgium. These visits helped improve relations between the UK and Europe after Brexit. In June 2018, William toured Jordan, Israel, and Palestine.
In October 2019, William and Catherine toured Pakistan. This was the first royal visit to the country in 13 years. In November 2020, it was reported that William had tested positive for COVID-19 in April but kept it private. In December 2020, the couple toured England, Scotland, and Wales by royal train. They wanted to thank communities and charities for their work during the pandemic.
In May 2021, William and Catherine toured Scotland. In June 2021, they attended the G7 summit in Cornwall for the first time. They met with US President Joe Biden. In March 2022, the couple toured Belize, the Bahamas, and Jamaica. This was part of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations. During their visit, William spoke about the royal family's history and accepted that countries might choose to become republics. In May 2022, William attended the 2022 State Opening of Parliament for the first time as a counsellor of state.
Prince of Wales Duties
Queen Elizabeth II died on 8 September 2022. William's father became King Charles III. As the new heir apparent, William was given the title Prince of Wales by his father on 9 September. There was some discussion in Wales about the title. However, a poll showed that most people supported William having the title. Kensington Palace stated that a special ceremony (an investiture) for the title was not planned. As the eldest son of the King, William inherited the Duchy of Cornwall. This provides him with an income.
On 27 September 2022, William and Catherine visited Anglesey and Swansea. This was their first visit to Wales as Prince and Princess of Wales. In November 2022, William visited the Senedd (Welsh Parliament). He met with the Welsh First Minister. In February 2023, William and Catherine visited Falmouth. This was their first visit to the region as Duke and Duchess of Cornwall. In March 2023, William made a solo visit to Poland. He met Polish and British troops and Ukrainian refugees. He also spoke with the Polish president.
Charity Work and Causes
William became aware of HIV/AIDS in the mid-1990s. He visited shelters and clinics with his mother and brother. In January 2005, William and Harry helped the British Red Cross. They packed emergency supplies for countries affected by the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami. In May 2005, he spent two weeks with Mountain Rescue England and Wales (MREW). In May 2007, William became patron of MREW. He also became president of the Royal Marsden Hospital, a role his mother used to hold.
In July 2007, William and Harry organized the Concert for Diana. This concert honored their mother and raised money for charities she supported. In October 2008, William and Harry rode motorbikes across South Africa. They raised money for charities like Sentebale, UNICEF, and the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund. In 2010, William became president of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.
In March 2011, William and Catherine set up a gift fund. This allowed people to donate money to charities instead of giving them wedding gifts. The charity was later renamed the Royal Foundation.
William has spoken out for LGBT rights. He works against cyberbullying. He says it is important to be "proud of the person you are." In 2016, he was on the cover of Attitude, a gay magazine. This made him the first royal family member to be featured on such a cover. He was recognized at the British LGBT Awards in May 2017.
In March 2020, William appeared in a video for the National Emergencies Trust. He launched a fundraising appeal to help charities during the pandemic. The appeal raised £11 million in its first week. In April 2020, he became the official patron of the organization. In December 2020, William and his wife became joint patrons of NHS Charities Together. In February 2021, William encouraged people to get the COVID-19 vaccine. He spoke out against false information. In May 2021, he received his first dose of the vaccine.
Protecting Nature
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In December 2005, William became patron of the Tusk Trust. This charity works to protect wildlife and help communities in Africa. In April 2008, he helped launch a 5,000-mile bike ride across Africa for the Trust. William also helped start the Tusk Conservation Awards. These awards honor environmental activists every year since 2013. In June 2010, William and Harry visited Botswana, Lesotho, and South Africa. They worked on projects related to wildlife and children.
In 2013, William took over from his grandfather as president of Fields in Trust. In December 2014, he created the United for Wildlife Transport Taskforce. Its goal is to reduce the illegal trade of wildlife around the world.
After two years of research, William launched the Earthshot Prize in October 2020. This prize aims to fund and encourage environmental solutions for the next ten years. Five winners each year will receive the prize. The categories include restoring nature, cleaning the air, conserving oceans, living without waste, and fighting climate change. After the launch, William gave a TED Talk about protecting the environment. He also became patron of Fauna and Flora International and the British Trust for Ornithology.
Mental Health Support
Since 2009, William has been patron of Child Bereavement UK. This charity helps children and families who have lost a loved one. In 2016, the Royal Foundation launched several mental health projects. One was Heads Together, led by William, Catherine, and Harry. Its goal was to reduce the stigma around mental health. Programs like Mental Health at Work aim to improve mental health in workplaces. Heads Up uses football to encourage men to talk about their mental health.
In May 2019, the couple and William's brother and sister-in-law launched Shout. This is the UK's first 24/7 text messaging service for people with mental health issues. William even volunteered on the crisis helpline during the COVID-19 lockdowns. He says his interest in mental health comes from his work as an air ambulance pilot and helping homeless people and veterans.
In March 2020, William and Catherine supported a new mental health project during the pandemic. In April 2020, they announced Our Frontline. This project provides mental health support to emergency medical workers. In September 2020, William created the Emergency Responders Senior Leaders Board. This board researches the mental health of emergency responders. In May 2021 and 2022, William and Catherine spoke on the Mental Health Minute message. This message was broadcast on all UK radio stations. In October 2022, they took over Newsbeat to interview guests about mental health.
Helping the Homeless
In September 2005, William became patron of Centrepoint. This charity helps people who are homeless. In December 2009, William spent a night sleeping outside near Blackfriars Bridge. He did this to raise awareness about homeless youth. In November 2019, he opened their new Apprenticeship House.
William has been patron of The Passage since 2019. He first visited the center in 1993 with his mother. In October 2020, he wrote the introduction to the charity's cookbook. He talked about helping homeless people during the COVID-19 pandemic. In December 2020, William volunteered at the charity. He helped prepare donation bags for homeless people in emergency hotels. In 2022 and 2023, he was seen selling copies of The Big Issue on the streets. This magazine is usually sold by homeless and unemployed people.
In June 2023, William launched Homewards. This five-year project aims to "finally end homelessness" in the United Kingdom. It will work in six pilot locations across the UK. The project focuses on helping families get housing early, before other problems arise.
Sports and Hobbies
William often plays polo to raise money for charity. He is a big fan of football and supports the English club Aston Villa. In May 2006, he became president of England's Football Association. In February 2007, he became vice-royal patron of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU). In December 2016, William became patron of the WRU.
In May 2007, William became patron of the English Schools' Swimming Association. In 2012, William, Catherine, and Harry launched Coach Core. This program helps young people become professional sports coaches. In May 2020, William appeared in a BBC One documentary called Football, Prince William and Our Mental Health. This was part of a campaign to encourage men to talk about their mental health using football.
William and his brother are both keen motorcyclists. William owns a Ducati 1198 S Corse. In May 2014, William became president of the British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC), like his father and grandfather.
Titles and Honours
Titles and Styles
William has been a British prince since he was born. On his wedding day, 29 April 2011, his grandmother Elizabeth II gave him the titles Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Strathearn, and Baron Carrickfergus.
When his father became King on 8 September 2022, William automatically became Duke of Cornwall. He also became Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Carrick, Baron of Renfrew, Lord of the Isles, and Prince and Great Steward of Scotland. On 9 September 2022, the King announced that William would be known as Prince of Wales.
- 1982 – 29 April 2011: His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales
- 29 April 2011 – 8 September 2022: His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge
- In Scotland: 29 April 2011 – 8 September 2022: His Royal Highness The Earl of Strathearn
- 8–9 September 2022: His Royal Highness The Duke of Cornwall and Cambridge
- In Scotland: 8 September 2022 – present: His Royal Highness The Duke of Rothesay
- 9 September 2022 – present: His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales
In Scotland, he is known by his highest Scottish title, Duke of Rothesay. In other places, he is known by his highest British title, Prince of Wales.
Honours
He is a Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter (KG). He is also a Knight of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle (KT). He is a member of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom (PC) and a Personal Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to the King.
Arms
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Banners and Flags
The flags used by the Prince of Wales change depending on where he is. His personal flag is the Royal Standard of the United Kingdom. It has a special three-pointed label and a shield with the arms of Wales in the middle. This flag is used outside Wales, Scotland, Cornwall, and Canada. It is also used throughout the UK when he is doing official duties with the UK Armed Forces.
The flag for use in Wales is based on the Royal Badge of Wales. This badge has four sections with red and gold lions. It also has a green shield with the Prince of Wales's coronet.
In Scotland, the flag used since 1974 is based on three old Scottish titles. These are Duke of Rothesay, High Steward of Scotland, and Lord of the Isles. This flag is divided into four sections. It has gold and blue checkered bands and black ships on a silver background. It also has a small shield with the Scottish lion.
In Cornwall, the flag shows the arms of the Duke of Cornwall. It has a black background with 15 gold coins.
In Canada, a special flag for the Prince of Wales was created in 2011. It shows the shield of the Arms of Canada. It also has a blue circle with the Prince of Wales's feathers and gold maple leaves. There is also a white three-pointed label.
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Banner of arms
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Standard for Wales
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Standard for Scotland
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Banner of arms for the Duke of Cornwall
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Canadian standard for the Prince of Wales
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Former Standards
Before his father became King, William used different flags. He had a flag for use outside Scotland and Canada. There was also a different version for Scotland. In 2011, Canada created a personal flag for the Duke of Cambridge. It showed the Royal Arms of Canada with a blue circle, maple leaves, and a "W" with a coronet. It also had a white three-pointed label with a red shell.
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Standard for the Duke of Cambridge
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Standard for the Earl of Strathearn
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Former Canadian personal Standard for Prince William
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See also
In Spanish: Guillermo de Gales para niños
- Royal William, a German red rose named after Prince William shortly after his birth
