William Arthur Philip Louis, formally known as Prince William, is currently second-in-line to the British throne after his father. He was bestowed by his grandmother, The Queen, to be the Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Strathearn, and Baron Carrickfergus on his wedding day. He serves in the Royal Air Force and continues to support different organizations for his philanthropic work. He went various training sessions for different sectors in the British Army and spent some time in foreign countries like Chile, Brazil, and some African countries during his gap year.
He earned his degree at the University of St Andrews where he met his then college sweetheart and now wife, Catherine Middleton. He also underwent an official training as an officer cadet and training sessions for flying planes and helicopters. In September 2013, Prince Charles completed his mandatory service in the British Armed Forces.
Background of Prince William
The eldest of the two children of Prince Charles and Princess Diana, Prince William grew up close to his family and his sibling. He was born on June 21, 1982, at St. Marys Hospital. He was baptized on the 82nd birthday of The Queen Mother, his great grandmother on his paternal side. Even at a young age, Prince William was groomed to be the next king despite his proclamation to his mother of him wanting to become a police officer to protect her. He is known to be left handed after the public has witnessed him signing the visitors’ book at Llandaff Cathedral.
Back in June 03, 1991, Prince William underwent an operation for a depressed fracture to his skull after getting accidentally hit by his classmate with a golf club. He got a permanent scar after, which he refers to as his “Harry Potter Scar.” Growing up, his mother had taken him not only on international visits but also to places where ordinary children go, including McDonald’s and Disney World.
He attended Jane Mynors’ nursery school and Wetherby School. He also studied at Ludgrove School where he played sports like football, swimming, and cross-country running. Not following the family tradition on his paternal side, Prince William was mentored at Eton College where he was given a paparazzi-free school life. After that, he pursued his Scottish Master of Arts Degree at the University of St. Andrews where he was given the upper second-class honors. Furthermore, he studied Vocational Agriculture Management in Cambridge to prepare for his takeover of the Duchy of Cornwall Estate.
Family of Prince William
Grandmother: Queen Elizabeth
The longest-reigning head of the monarchy is Elizabeth Alexandra Mary or Queen Elizabeth the second. She was born on April 21, 1926. She ascended to the throne after her father, King George VI, died. She married Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh on November 20, 1947. She has four children namely, Prince Charles (father to Prince William and the heir apparent), Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Price Edward. She was crowned Queen of the United Kingdom and other affiliated colonies on June 02, 1953.
Father: Prince Charles
He is the eldest son of the queen and the father of Prince William. He was born on November 14, 1948. His marriage to Princes Diana brought life to both his children, Princes William and Prince Harry. However, their union came to a closure after their divorce was settled on August 28, 1996, after their rocky years together. Both he and the princess had extra-marital affairs that also played a factor to their separation. He is now married to Camilla Parker Bowles.
Mother: Princess Diana
Born on July 01, 1961, Diana is the fourth child of John Spencer, Viscount of Althorp and The Honourable Frances Roche. Prior to her marriage to Prince Charles on July 29, 1981, she was known as Lady Diana Spencer. She got her title after her father earned the title Earl of Spencer. She hails from a family of noble people and royal blood ancestry.
She and Prince Charles officially announced their engagement on February 24, 1981. People were astonished by her 18-carat white gold engagement ring that had 14 solitaire diamonds surrounding the 12-carat oval Ceylon sapphire. She got married at the age of 22 at St. Paul’s Cathedral. During her pregnancy with Prince William, she fell down a flight of stairs but remained unharmed aside from some bruises.
Before her separation with Prince Charles, Princes Diana had a romantic affair with Major James Hewitt. This has caused the undying rumors that he may be the biological father of Prince Harry. However, the timeline of their relationship appears to have happened when the younger prince was already a toddler.
A tragic car crash ended her life on August 31, 1997, just a year after her divorce was finalized. The car she was in was traveling the Pont de l’Alma road tunnel in Paris when the accident happened. She was paraded from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abby with her ex-husband, children, brother, and father-in-law walking behind her cortège.
Brother: Prince Harry
On September 15, 1984, Henry Charles Albert David was born to Prince Charles and Princess Diana. He is mostly called Henry by his family and the media. He used to be third-in-line to the throne before his brother had children, which pushed him back to the fifth spot.
Like his brother, he also served the British Armed Forces. He excels in rugby and polo but also plays motocross. In his younger years, Henry has stirred up so many reports which include underage partying, smoking cannabis, and physical clashing. He also issued a public apology for wearing a Nazi German uniform with the Swastika Symbol on his armband to a costume party. His latest rendezvous was in 2012 where he was photographed naked in Las Vegas.
There are rumors around that he actually the son of Major James Hewitt but the latter has denied the allegations multiple times.
Catherine Middleton and Children
Prince William and Catherine or Kate Middleton started dating back in 2003 but had reportedly broken up in April 2007. This was around the time when the prince rendered his military service and other royal duties. However, the two were spotted again in June and July of the same year attending separate gatherings. People spotted more of the two throughout the succeeding months.
Their official engagement was announced on November 16, 2010. The engagement ring she wore was the same wedding ring that Prince William’s mother wore as well. Their wedding was on April 29, 2010, at Westminster Abbey. She is now styled as Duchess of Cambridge after Prince William’s new titles were announced.
On December 03, 2012, their first born child and now third-in-line to the British throne was born. He is named George Alexander Louis or Prince George of Cambridge. About 3 years later, she gave birth to a royal baby girl on May 02, 2015, named Charlotte Elizabeth Diana or Princess Charlotte of Cambridge and is fourth-in-line to the British throne.
Fun Fact
The official last name of Prince William and the rest of the Royal Family is “Mountbatten-Windsor.”
This is stated in the website of the family. However, Prince William often uses his title as his surname which is also allowable and acceptable. In instances when he would need a last name, i.e. during his military service, he can go with William Windsor, William Wales, and now William Cambridge.
Net Worth of Prince William
It is estimated that Prince William, Duke of Cambridge’s net worth is at $20 billion. The source of this wealth is of his inheritance, lands, and other forms of investments. His income includes the capital left to him by his mother and great grandmother, salary in the Royal Airforce which is approximately at 37,170 pounds yearly, allowance from his father, and from the Duchy of Cornwall Estate.