Prince William turns forty today, 21st June 2022; a significant milestone in anyone’s life, but perhaps even more so for a future king! To celebrate this landmark moment, a new series of sovereign coins has been produced.
Over forty years, Prince William has shown eternal compassion and dedication to his official duties, becoming increasingly known as the ‘People’s Prince’. Here, we will be looking back at the life of the prince who is currently second in line to the British throne.
Prince William’s Early Life
Prince William was born William Arthur Philip Louis on 21st June 1982 at St Mary’s Hospital, London. He is the eldest son of Prince Charles and Princess Diana and his official title is ‘His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales’. He received education at Wetherby School in London, Ludgrove School in Berkshire and Eton College in Windsor. He later took a gap year in 2000 after finishing college and then enrolled at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, studying art history and geography.
In 2006, after graduating from University, Prince William entered the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. In 2008, William went to the Royal Air Force and then to the Royal Navy so that he could gain experience in all aspects of the armed services. In 2010, he completed his training as a helicopter pilot in the RAF Search and Rescue Force and began touring. It is reported that he participated in more than 150 operations before ending his service in 2013. In 2015, Prince William served as an air ambulance pilot for two years.
Marriage to Catherine Middleton
In 2001, Prince William met Catherine Middleton while they were students at the University of St Andrews. They began dating in 2003 and ended their relationship briefly in 2007 before rekindling soon after. In June 2010, the couple moved into a cottage on the Bodorgan Estate in Wales while William was completing his RAF training. The couple got engaged in Kenya in October 2010, and the engagement ring that Prince William gave to Catherine had belonged to his mother.
Their wedding took place on 29th April 2011 at Westminster Abbey, London. It is estimated that 26 million people watched the event live in Britain alone. Just before the ceremony, Prince William’s new titles Duke of Cambridge, 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. They have a total of three children together; Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, and the family officially reside at Kensington Palace.
Prince William’s Royal Duties
At just 21, William was appointed a Counsellor of State, and he first served in that capacity when the Queen attended the Common Wealth Heads of Government meeting in 2003. Once he graduated university, Prince William began royal duties in support of, and on behalf of, the Queen at official events, public engagements and overseas tours. He embarked on his first solo overseas tour in 2005, visiting New Zealand to participate in World War II commemorations.
From 2011, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge began participating in official tours together, first touring Canada and the UNICEF Supply Division in Denmark. Over the years, they have conducted multiple tours together, even taking Prince George along with them. Their latest tour took place in March 2022, visiting Belize, The Bahamas and Jamaica as part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations for the Queen. In May of this year, Prince William attended the State Opening of Parliament for the first time as counsellor of state, where his father delivered the Queen’s speech on Her Majesty’s behalf.
Charity work
Prince William has a long history of involvement with charities, inspired by his mother Princess Diana. William is a Royal Patron to Tusk Trust and Centrepoint. He is also a patron of numerous organisations, such as 100 Women in Hedge Funds, MREW and president of The Royal Marsden Hospital, The Passage, and National Emergencies Trust to name a few. He frequently raises funds for various charitable causes, and set up a charitable foundation with younger brother Prince Harry in 2009; The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry.
This charity has since been renamed The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and focuses on issues such as mental health via the Heads Together initiative, and also supports children and veterans making the transition to civilian life. In 2019, Prince William announced that the Earthshot Prize would be awarded each year over a decade to five recipients who present the best solutions to environmental issues. The following year, it was also revealed that the Duke and Duchess would use the foundation to aid frontline responders and families affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
Released in honour of this significant milestone we have a fantastic new range of sovereign coins featuring our future King! Secure them HERE.
