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Catherine (2011)

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William, Prince of Wales, KG, KT, PC, ADC (William Arthur Philip Louis; born 21 June 1982) is the heir apparent to the British throne. He is the elder son of King Charles III and Diana, Princess of Wales.

William
Prince of Wales (more)
William Sumbarines Crop.png
William in 2021
Born
Prince William of Wales
21 June 1982 (age 40)
St Mary's Hospital, London, England
Spouse
Catherine Middleton ​(m. 2011)​
Issue
Prince George of Wales
Princess Charlotte of Wales
Prince Louis of Wales
Names
William Arthur Philip Louis[a]
House
Windsor
Father
Charles III
Mother
Diana Spencer
Signature
William's signature
Education
Eton College
University of St Andrews (MA Hons)
Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
Royal Air Force College Cranwell
Britannia Royal Naval College
Defence Helicopter Flying School
Military career
Allegiance
United Kingdom
Service/branch
British Armed Forces
Active service
2006–2013
Rank
See list
Unit
Blues and Royals
HMS Iron Duke
RAF Search and Rescue Force
Born in London, William was educated at Wetherby School, Ludgrove School and Eton College. He earned a Master of Arts degree in geography at the University of St Andrews where he met his future spouse, Catherine Middleton. William then trained at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst prior to serving with the Blues and Royals. In April 2008, William graduated from Royal Air Force College Cranwell, joining the RAF Search and Rescue Force in early 2009. He served as a full-time pilot with the East Anglian Air Ambulance for two years, starting in July 2015.

William performs official duties and engagements on behalf of the British monarch.[3] He holds patronage with over 30 charitable and military organisations, including the Tusk Trust, Centrepoint, The Passage, Wales Air Ambulance and London's Air Ambulance Charity. He undertakes projects through The Royal Foundation, with his charity work revolving around mental health, conservation, and emergency workers. In December 2014, he founded the "United for Wildlife" initiative, which aims to reduce worldwide illegal wildlife trade. In April 2016, William, his wife Catherine and his brother Harry initiated the mental health awareness campaign "Heads Together" to encourage people to open up about their mental health issues. In October 2020, William announced the launch of the Earthshot Prize, a £50 million initiative to incentivise environmental solutions over the next decade.

William was made Duke of Cambridge prior to his wedding to Catherine Middleton in April 2011. They have three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. He became Duke of Cornwall and Duke of Rothesay following his father's accession to the throne on 8 September 2022. The following day, he was made Prince of Wales, the traditional title for the heir apparent to the monarch.[4]

Early life

Education

Early appointments and duties

Personal life

29 April 2011: Prince and Princess wedding day
William and Catherine on the Buckingham Palace balcony on their wedding day
Further information: Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton
In 2001, William met Catherine Middleton while they were students in residence at St Salvator's Hall at the University of St Andrews.[105] She reportedly caught William's attention at a charity fashion show on campus.[106] The couple began dating in 2003.[107] During their second year, William shared a flat with Middleton and two other friends.[108] From 2003 to 2005, they both resided at Balgove House on the Strathtyrum estate with two roommates.[109][110] In 2004, the couple briefly split but continued their relationship soon afterwards.[111]

The relationship was followed closely by the tabloid press.[112][113] Media attention became so intense that William asked the press to keep their distance from Middleton.[113] On 15 December 2006, Middleton and her family attended Prince William's Passing Out Parade at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.[114][115] In April 2007, William and Middleton were reported to have split.[112] Middleton and her family attended the Concert for Diana in July 2007 at Wembley Stadium,[108] where she and Prince William sat two rows apart. The couple were subsequently reported to have "rekindled their relationship".[116] Middleton was in attendance during the Order of the Garter procession ceremony at Windsor Castle in June 2008, where William was made a Royal Knight of the Garter.[117] In June 2010, the couple moved into a cottage on the Bodorgan Estate in Anglesey, Wales, where they resided until 2014.

The couple became engaged in October 2010 while on holiday in Kenya.Clarence House announced their engagement on 16 November.William gave his fianceé his mother's engagement ring. The wedding took place in Westminster Abbey on 29 April 2011.One million people lined the wedding procession route in London, while the global audience for the wedding was reported to be 300 million or more, with 26 million people watching the event live in the United Kingdom.

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