William, Prince of Wales

William
Prince of Wales
William in 2025
BornPrince William of Wales
(1982-06-21) 21 June 1982
St Mary's Hospital, London, England
Spouse
(m. 2011)
Issue
Names
William Arthur Philip Louis[a]
HouseWindsor
FatherCharles III
MotherDiana Spencer
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
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
BranchBritish Armed Forces[b]
Active service2006–2013
RankSee list
Unit
  • Blues and Royals
  • HMS Iron Duke
  • RAF Search and Rescue Force

William, Prince of Wales (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 was born during the reign of his paternal grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. He 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 wife, Catherine Middleton. They have three children: George, Charlotte and Louis.

After university, William trained at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst prior to serving with the Blues and Royals. In 2008 he graduated from the 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 from July 2015.

William performs official duties and engagements on behalf of the monarch. He is patron of multiple charitable and military organisations, including the Tusk Trust, Centrepoint, The Passage, Wales Air Ambulance and London's Air Ambulance Charity. Through the Royal Foundation, his work focuses on mental health, conservation, homelessness, and emergency workers. In 2020 William launched the Earthshot Prize, a £50 million initiative to incentivise environmental solutions.

William was made Duke of Cambridge immediately before his wedding in April 2011. He became Duke of Cornwall and Duke of Rothesay upon his father's accession to the throne on 8 September 2022. The following day he was made Prince of Wales.

  1. ^ Lichfield, John (19 September 2012). "William and Kate win legal battle – but lose war to keep topless photos under wraps". The Independent. Archived from the original on 9 October 2014. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
  2. ^ "Duke of Cambridge to deploy to Falklands". Ministry of Defence. 10 November 2011. Archived from the original on 28 September 2013. Retrieved 11 November 2011.


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