Prince William
Prince William of Wales
Prince William plays polo at Sandhurst, 2007. Polo is a team sport played outdoors on Horseback in which the objective is to score goals against an opposing team The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst ( RMAS) commonly known simply as Sandhurst, is the British Army officer initial training centre
Full name
William Arthur Philip Louis[1]
Detail Titles and styles
HRH Prince William of Wales
Royal house	House of Windsor
Father	Charles, Prince of Wales
Mother	Diana, Princess of Wales
Born	21 June 1982 (1982-06-21) (age 25) St Mary's Hospital, London
Baptised	4 August 1982 Buckingham Palace, London
Occupation	Cornet, Blues and Royals, Flying Officer RAF Cranwell training facility

Prince William of Wales (William Arthur Philip Louis; born 21 June 1982) is the elder son of Charles, Prince of Wales and the late Diana, Princess of Wales, and is also the elder brother of Prince Harry. A royal house or royal dynasty is a familial designation or Family name of sorts used by Royalty. The House of Windsor is the current Royal House of the United Kingdom and each of the other Commonwealth realms The older part is a branch of the Saxe-Coburg Events 524 - Godomar, King of the Burgundians defeats the Franks at the Battle of Vézeronce. Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar) St Mary's Hospital is a Hospital located in Paddington, London, England. London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. Events 70 - The Destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem by the Romans. Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar) Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of the British monarch. London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. Cornet was originally the third and lowest grade of Commissioned officer in a British Cavalry Troop, after Captain and Lieutenant The Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons (RHG/D is a cavalry regiment of the British Army, part of the Household Cavalry. Events 524 - Godomar, King of the Burgundians defeats the Franks at the Battle of Vézeronce. Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar) For actual Princes of Wales called Henry see Henry Prince of Wales. He is second in the line of succession to the British throne and those of each of the other Commonwealth Realms. The line of succession to the British Throne is a partial list of the people in line to succeed to the throne TalkCommonewalth realm.--> The monarchy A Commonwealth realm is any one of 16 sovereign states within the Commonwealth of Nations that each have Elizabeth II as their respective Monarch As the son of the Prince of Wales and the grandson of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince William is a member of the British Royal Family. For the ship see RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Context States headed by Elizabeth II The British Royal Family is the group of close relatives of the monarch of the United Kingdom. He was the first prince to be born into the immediate royal family since the birth of Prince Edward in 1964. Year 1964 ( MCMLXIV) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the 1964 Gregorian calendar.

The prince served as a Cornet in the Blues and Royals regiment of the British Army's Household Cavalry in 2007, together with his younger brother, Prince Harry. Cornet was originally the third and lowest grade of Commissioned officer in a British Cavalry Troop, after Captain and Lieutenant The Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons (RHG/D is a cavalry regiment of the British Army, part of the Household Cavalry. The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. The term Household Cavalry is used across the Commonwealth to describe the Cavalry of the Household Divisions a country’s most elite or historically For actual Princes of Wales called Henry see Henry Prince of Wales. Within his regiment, he was known as Cornet William Wales. ^[2] In April 2008 William earned his wings by completing pilot training at RAF Cranwell. For other uses see Brevet. For the American equivalent see Aircrew Badge. The Royal Air Force College ( RAFC) is the Royal Air Force training and education academy which provides initial training to all RAF personnel who are preparing ^[3] His rank was Flying Officer but he was given the callsign Billy the Fish by his fellow pilots, a pun on his title William of Wales which also uses a part of his father's title for his surname. Flying Officer ( Fg Off in the RAF FLGOFF in the RAAF FGOFF in the RNZAF F/O in the former RCAF and frequently in the RAF is a junior commissioned ^[4]

Early life

Childhood

Prince William was born on 21 June 1982 (21:03) at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, West London, England. Events 524 - Godomar, King of the Burgundians defeats the Franks at the Battle of Vézeronce. Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar) St Mary's Hospital is a Hospital located in Paddington, London, England. Paddington is an area of the City of Westminster, in Central London, England. West London is the area of Greater London to the west of Central London. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland His father is Charles, Prince of Wales, the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. For the ship see RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Context States headed by Elizabeth II His mother is the late Diana, Princess of Wales, youngest daughter of John Spencer, 8th Earl Spencer and Frances Ruth Burke-Roche. Edward John Spencer 8th Earl Spencer, MVO ( 24 January 1924 &ndash 29 March 1992) was the son of Albert Edward John The Honourable Frances Ruth Burke Roche Shand Kydd ( 20 January 1936 &ndash 3 June 2004) was the former wife of John Spencer 8th Earl As a male-line grandchild of the British monarch and son of the Prince of Wales, he is styled "His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales". Prince of Wales (Tywysog Cymru is a title traditionally granted to the Heir Apparent to the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom (and formerly the Kingdom As a child, he was affectionately called by his parents Wombat or Wills.

British Royal Family
HM The Queen HRH The Duke of Edinburgh HRH The Prince of Wales HRH The Duchess of Cornwall HRH Prince William of Wales HRH Prince Henry of Wales HRH The Duke of York HRH Princess Beatrice of York HRH Princess Eugenie of York HRH The Earl of Wessex HRH The Countess of Wessex Viscount Severn Lady Louise Windsor HRH The Princess Royal HRH The Duke of Gloucester HRH The Duchess of Gloucester HRH The Duke of Kent HRH The Duchess of Kent HRH Prince Michael of Kent HRH Princess Michael of Kent HRH Princess Alexandra
v • d • e

He was baptised by then Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. The British Royal Family is the group of close relatives of the monarch of the United Kingdom. For the ship see RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Context States headed by Elizabeth II For actual Princes of Wales called Henry see Henry Prince of Wales. Princess Beatrice of York (Beatrice Elizabeth Mary born 8 August 1988 is a member of the British Royal Family. Princess Eugenie of York ( Eugenie Victoria Helena;; born 23 March 1990 is a member of the British Royal Family and a granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II Sophie Countess of Wessex ( née Rhys-Jones, born 20 January 1965 is a member of the British Royal Family, the wife of Prince Edward Earl of Wessex James Viscount Severn (James Alexander Philip Theo born 17 December 2007 is a member of the British Royal Family. The Lady Louise Windsor (Louise Alice Elizabeth Mary born 8 November 2003 is a member of the British Royal Family. Prince Richard Duke of Gloucester (Richard Alexander Walter George born 26 August 1944 is a member of the British Royal Family, the youngest grandchild of King George Birgitte Duchess of Gloucester (Birgitte Eva (bree-gee-tae; formerly van Deurs born Henriksen 20 June 1946 is a member of the British Royal Family, the wife Prince Edward Duke of Kent (Edward George Nicholas Patrick Paul born 9 October 1935 is a member of the British Royal Family, a grandchild of George V. Katharine Duchess of Kent (Katharine Lucy Mary née Worsley 22 February 1933 is a member of the British Royal Family, the wife of Prince Edward Duke of Kent, "Prince Michael" redirects here For other people named Prince Michael see Prince Michael (disambiguation. Princess Michael of Kent (Marie Christine née Baroness Marie Christine Agnes Hedwig Ida von Reibnitz 15 January 1945 is a member of the British Royal Family. The Archbishop of Canterbury is the chief bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion and the Robert Runcie, on 4 August 1982, on the 82nd birthday of his paternal great grandmother Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. Robert Alexander Kennedy Runcie Baron Runcie of Cuddesdon MC PC ( 2 October 1921 &ndash 11 July 2000) was Archbishop Events 70 - The Destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem by the Romans. Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar) Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (Elizabeth Angela Marguerite 4 August 1900 &ndash 30 March 2002 was the Queen Consort of King George The baptism took place in the Music Room at Buckingham Palace. Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of the British monarch. His godparents are: former King Constantine II of Greece, Sir Laurens van der Post, Princess Alexandra, the Duchess of Westminster, Lord Brabourne and Lady Susan Hussey. A godparent, in many denominations of Christianity, is someone who sponsors a child's Baptism. Early life Constantine was born at Psychiko, near Athens, the nephew of King George II and the second child and only son of the King's brother and Sir Laurens Jan van der Post (aka Laurens van der Post) (December 13 1906 &ndash December 16 1996 was a famous 20th century Afrikaner author of many Natalia Ayesha ( Née Phillips) (born 8 May 1959 is the wife of Gerald Grosvenor 6th Duke of Westminster, She is one of the Godmothers Norton Louis Philip Knatchbull 8th Baron Brabourne (born 8 October 1947) known until 22 September 2005 as Lord Romsey, is the eldest Susan Hussey Baroness Hussey of North Bradley, DCVO (born 1 May 1939) is a Woman of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II.

Through his maternal grandfather, Prince William is a descendant of both King Charles II of England and Scotland and King James II of England and James VII of Scotland. Charles II (Charles Stuart 29 May 1630 – 6 February 1685 was the King of England, Scotland, and Ireland. Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. James II of England and Ireland James VII of Scotland (14 October 1633 &ndash 16 September 1701 was King of England, King of Scots, Later that same year James James II of England and Ireland James VII of Scotland (14 October 1633 &ndash 16 September 1701 was King of England, King of Scots, Later that same year James William, should he become King, will be the first monarch since Queen Anne to be descended from King Charles I of England and Scotland. Anne (6 February 1665 – 1 August 1714 became Queen of England, Scotland and Ireland on 8 March 1702 succeeding William III of England and II of Charles I, (19 November 1600 &ndash 30 January 1649 was King of England, Scotland and Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution. Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain.

He has a younger brother, Prince Harry of Wales, born 15 September 1984. For actual Princes of Wales called Henry see Henry Prince of Wales. Events 668 - Eastern Roman Emperor Constans II is assassinated in his bath at Syracuse Italy. Year 1984 ( MCMLXXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1984 Gregorian calendar) On 1 March 1991 (Saint David's Day), Prince William made his first official public appearance during a visit to Cardiff, the capital of Wales. Events 86 BC - Lucius Cornelius Sulla, at the head of a Roman Republic army enters in Athens, removing the Tyrant Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar. Saint David's Day ( Welsh: Dydd Gŵyl Dewi) is the feast day of Saint David, the Patron saint of Wales, and falls on Cardiff ( 'kɑːdɪf) is the Capital and the largest city and county in Wales. After arriving by plane, the eight-year-old prince was taken by his parents to Llandaff Cathedral. Llandaff Cathedral is the seat of the Anglican Bishop of Llandaff (of the Church in Wales) situated in the suburb of Llandaff in the city of After a tour of the cathedral, he signed its visitors' book, demonstrating that he was left-handed. Photographs of the Prince taken during his visit are on permanent display at the cathedral. On his departure, numerous school children and local residents from the surrounding area presented gifts to him, which he received with a smile and the whispered words "thank you".

On 3 June 1991, Prince William was admitted to the Royal Berkshire Hospital after being hit on the side of the forehead by another pupil wielding a golf club. Events 350 - Roman usurper Nepotianus, of the Constantinian dynasty, proclaims himself Roman Emperor, entering Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar. The Royal Berkshire Hospital is a National Health Service Hospital in the town of Reading in the English county of Berkshire. The Prince did not lose consciousness, but suffered a depressed fracture of the skull and was operated on at the Great Ormond Street Hospital. The Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH is a medical institution specialising in the care of children A slight scar is still visible today. ^[5]

Death of Diana, Princess of Wales

Main article: Death of Diana, Princess of Wales

On 31 August 1997 at 4:00 am, William's mother, Diana, Princess of Wales died as a result of injuries received in a car accident in Paris. On 31 August 1997, Diana Princess of Wales died as a result of injuries sustained in a car crash in the Pont de l'Alma road Events 1056 - Byzantine Empress Theodora becomes ill dying suddenly a few days later without children to succeed the Throne Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar On 31 August 1997, Diana Princess of Wales died as a result of injuries sustained in a car crash in the Pont de l'Alma road Paris (ˈpærɨs in English; in French) is the Capital of France and the country's largest city ^[6] Her death came days after she spent a holiday at a house in Paris with her suggested boyfriend, Dodi Al-Fayed. Paris (ˈpærɨs in English; in French) is the Capital of France and the country's largest city Emad El-Din Mohamed Abdel Moneim Fayed ( Arabic عماد الدين محمد عبد المنعم الفايد) ( April 15, 1955 &ndash Both princes were staying with the Queen and their father at Balmoral Castle at the time. Balmoral Castle is a large Estate house situated in the area of Aberdeenshire, Scotland known as Royal Deeside. Their father, Charles, waited until the early morning to tell them the news.

At his mother's funeral, Prince William accompanied his father, brother, his paternal grandfather Prince Philip and his maternal uncle Charles Spencer, the 9th Earl Spencer behind the funeral cortège from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey. Charles Edward Maurice Spencer 9th Earl Spencer, DL (born 20 May 1964) is the second and only surviving son of John Spencer 8th Earl Spencer Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of the British monarch. The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, which is almost always referred to by its original name of Westminster Abbey, is a large mainly Gothic church During his eulogy, the Earl Spencer promised that the Spencer family would take an active interest in looking after Diana's children. There are many Spencer families, comprising all individuals with the surname Spencer. Both William and Harry attended their maternal grandmother's private funeral in Scotland.

Education

William during the opening ceremony of the 21st World Scout Jamboree. The 21st World Jamboree was held in July and August 2007 and formed a part of the Scouting 2007 Centenary celebrations of the World Scout Movement.

Prince William attended independent schools in southern England. An independent school in the United Kingdom is a school relying upon private sources for all of its funding predominantly in the form of school fees In his early years he was a pupil at Mrs Jane Mynors' nursery school and the pre-preparatory Wetherby School, both in West London. Wetherby School is a private school for boys in Notting Hill, London. He attended Ludgrove School in Berkshire, a preparatory school. Ludgrove School is a private boarding preparatory school for about 200 boys aged 8 to 13 In English language usage in the former British Empire, the present-day Commonwealth, a preparatory school (usually abbreviated to prep school After passing an entrance exam, he went on to Eton College in Berkshire. Eton College, or just Eton, is a world-famous British Independent school for boys founded in 1440 by King Henry VI. Berkshire (ˈbɑːkʃə or /ˈbɑːkʃɪə/ say Baak-shuh/-sheer sometimes abbreviated to Berks) is a Home County in the South Whilst there, he studied geography, biology, maths and history of art at A-level. Geography (from Greek γεωγραφία - geografia) is the study of the Earth and its lands features inhabitants and phenomena Foundations of modern biology There are five unifying principles Mathematics is the body of Knowledge and Academic discipline that studies such concepts as Quantity, Structure, Space and The history of art usually refers to the History of the Visual arts, such as Painting, Sculpture and Architecture. The A-level, short for Advanced Level, is a General Certificate of Education qualification in England, Northern Ireland and Wales, He was a keen football player and captained his house team.

Like a growing number of British teenagers, Prince William chose to take a gap year after finishing Eton College. A gap year (also known as "year out" "year off" "deferred year" "bridging year" " Overseas experience " "time off" Eton College, or just Eton, is a world-famous British Independent school for boys founded in 1440 by King Henry VI. He took part in a British Army training exercise in Belize. The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. Belize (bəˈliːz formerly British Honduras, is a country in Central America. He spent the final stage of his gap year in southern Chile in a small town called Tortel. Chile, officially the Republic of Chile ( Spanish:) is a country in South America occupying a long and narrow Coastal strip wedged between the There, he was a guest rap DJ for the small radio station, which he took much delight in doing. He became a volunteer with Raleigh International. Raleigh is a UK -based educational development charity that aims to help people of all backgrounds and nationalities to discover their full potential Pictures of the prince cleaning a toilet were broadcast around the world. ^[7]

After his gap year, Prince William attended the University of St Andrews in Fife, Scotland from 2001, graduating in 2005. The University of St Andrews is the oldest University in Scotland and third oldest in the English-speaking world, having been founded between Fife ( Gaelic: Fìobha) is a Council area of Scotland, situated between the Firth of Tay and the Firth of Forth, with inland Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. He embarked on a degree course in History of Art, but later changed his main subject to Geography. The history of art usually refers to the History of the Visual arts, such as Painting, Sculpture and Architecture. Geography (from Greek γεωγραφία - geografia) is the study of the Earth and its lands features inhabitants and phenomena William earned a Scottish Master of Arts degree with upper-second class honours in Geography, the highest academic achievement of any heir to the British and other Commonwealth Realm thrones. A Master of Arts in Scotland is an academic degree in Humanities and Social sciences awarded by the Ancient universities of Scotland – The British undergraduate degree classification system is a grading scheme for Undergraduate degrees ( Bachelor's degrees and some Master's degrees He became the youngest British Royal to receive an undergraduate degree in Geography. At St Andrews, the Prince used the name William Wales. ^[8][9]

In January 2006, Prince William began his cadet course at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst to train as an Army Officer, joining his brother who had been there since May 2005. The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst ( RMAS) commonly known simply as Sandhurst, is the British Army officer initial training centre

Royal duties and career

Military career

The Royal Family on the Trooping the Colour. Trooping the Colour is a military ceremony performed by Regiments of the Commonwealth and the British Army.

On 15 December 2006, Prince William graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS). Events 533 - Byzantine general Belisarius defeats the Vandals, commanded by King Gelimer, at the Battle of Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst ( RMAS) commonly known simply as Sandhurst, is the British Army officer initial training centre The graduation parade was attended by the Queen and the Prince of Wales, along with other members of the Royal Family and Kate Middleton, Prince William's girlfriend. Graduation is the action of receiving or conferring an Academic degree or the associated ceremony Catherine Elizabeth Middleton (born 9 January 1982) is the girlfriend of Prince William of Wales. Prince William officially received his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant at a midnight ceremony on 15 December 2006. Events 533 - Byzantine general Belisarius defeats the Vandals, commanded by King Gelimer, at the Battle of Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Following the announcement in September, Prince William followed his younger brother into the Blues and Royals as a troop leader. The Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons (RHG/D is a cavalry regiment of the British Army, part of the Household Cavalry. Prince William has spent four months at Bovington Camp in Dorset, training to become a troop commander in an armoured reconnaissance unit.

Prince William and Prince Harry have both indicated that they would be prepared to undertake active service. Given his position in the succession and the reluctance of previous British governments to allow the heir to the throne to be put into dangerous situations, it remains to be seen if this wish will be fully realised. However, Major General Sebastian Roberts, general officer commanding the Household Division, indicated it was possible that the prince could be deployed to a conflict zone. Major General or Major-General is a Military rank used in many countries However, Prince Harry's May 2007 deployment was cancelled because of "specific threats".

Unlike Prince Harry, who will continue as a career soldier, Prince William is spending time with both the RAF and the Royal Navy to prepare him for his future role as head of the British armed forces. The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British armed services (and is therefore known as the Senior Service) He will also increasingly carry out public engagements in parallel to his military career.

In January 2008, Cornet Wales embarked on attachment to the Royal Air Force, having completed his first RAF pre-training flight and then followed a 4-month pilot course, after which he was able to fly RAF aircraft. PortalCurrent events International holidays January 1 - New Year's Day January 1 - Independence Second Lieutenant is the lowest commissioned officer Military rank in many Armed forces. ^[10] Prince William graduated RAF Cranwell on 11 April 2008, he was presented with his RAF wings by his father, The Prince of Wales accompanied by The Duchess of Cornwall. The Royal Air Force College ( RAFC) is the Royal Air Force training and education academy which provides initial training to all RAF personnel who are preparing Events 491 - Flavius Anastasius becomes Byzantine Emperor, with the name of Anastasius I. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common For other uses see Brevet. For the American equivalent see Aircrew Badge. Prince Charles graduated in the '70s after receiving his wings after training at the same RAF College straight after University just like his son. William's official guest was his long-time girlfriend, Kate Middleton. Catherine Elizabeth Middleton (born 9 January 1982) is the girlfriend of Prince William of Wales. ^[11]

After completing his attachment with the RAF the Prince is going on to a further secondment with the Royal Navy for two months from the 2 June 2008. The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British armed services (and is therefore known as the Senior Service) Events 455 - The Vandals enter Rome, and plunder the city for two weeks 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common During this time he will spend three weeks at the Britannia Royal Naval College, spending time with units of the surface fleet, submarine service, Fleet Air Arm and Royal Marines, before deploying for a further five weeks on HMS Iron Duke in the Caribbean. Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC is the initial officer training establishment of the Royal Navy, located on a hill overlooking Dartmouth, Devon The Fleet Air Arm is the branch of the Royal Navy responsible for the operation of the aircraft on board their ships The Royal Marines ( RM) are the marine corps and amphibious Infantry of the United Kingdom and along with the Royal Navy Deployments In 2000 Iron Duke was part of the Royal Navy task force — comprising ''Illustrious'', ''Ocean'', ''Argyll'' The Caribbean (ˌkærəˡbiən kæ'rəbiən Cariben|Caraïben or Caraïben; Caraïbe or more commonly Antilles; Caribe is a Region consisting ^[12]

Royal duties

At the age of 21, as second in line to the throne, he became eligible to become a Counsellor of State, and first served in that capacity when the Queen was abroad on a state visit to Nigeria in 2003. In the United Kingdom, Counsellors of State are senior members of the British royal family to whom the Monarch presently Elizabeth II, delegates certain Nigeria, officially named the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal Constitutional republic comprising thirty-six states and one Federal

In July 2005, William carried out his first official engagements representing The Queen, as Queen of New Zealand, at World War II commemorations in New Zealand. For the ship see RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Context States headed by Elizabeth II TalkCommonewalth realm.--> New Zealand World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including New Zealand is an Island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island In the autumn of 2005, the prince took two work placements. He initially worked in land management at Chatsworth House, a Peak District estate of the Duke of Devonshire. Chatsworth House is a large Country house at Chatsworth, Derbyshire, England 3½ miles north east of Bakewell. The Peak District is an upland area in central and northern England, lying mainly in northern Derbyshire, but also covering parts of Cheshire, Greater Peregrine Andrew Morny Cavendish 12th Duke of Devonshire, CBE (born April 27, 1944) is a British peer. William's second work placement was with the HSBC Group in London. HSBC Holdings plc ( (,,,) is a Public limited company incorporated in England and Wales, headquartered in London.

William's first patronage is with the UK charity Centrepoint,^[13] which works with homeless young people. Patronage is the support encouragement privilege and often financial aid given by a person or an organization Centrepoint is a United Kingdom charity working to improve the lives of socially excluded young Homeless people Homelessness is the condition and social category of people who lack housing because they cannot afford or are otherwise unable to maintain regular safe and adequate shelter During his mother's patronage to the charity, William would occasionally accompany her on visits. William is also patron of the Tusk Trust, an African conservation charity based in the UK.

The prince has been the president of England's Football Association since May 2006. The Football Association, also known as simply The FA, is the governing body of football in England and the Crown Dependencies of Jersey In August 2006 it was announced that he would become Vice Royal Patron of the Welsh Rugby Union from February 2007, supporting his grandmother the Queen, who is Patron of the WRU. The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU ( Undeb Rygbi Cymru) is the governing body of Rugby union in Wales, recognised by the International Rugby Board In 2007 the WRU's decision to name a new cup for test matches between Wales and South Africa the Prince William Cup caused controversy, with many believing it would be more fitting to name the cup after the late Ray Gravell, with thousands signing on-line petitions. The South Africa national Rugby union team (commonly referred to as the Springboks in English Springbokke in Afrikaans and Amabokoboko The Prince William Cup was created in 2007 by the WRU and celebrates 100 years of rugby union history between Wales and South Africa. Raymond William Robert "Ray" Gravell ( 12 September 1951 &ndash 31 October 2007) was a Welsh Rugby union player ^[14][15][16]

In a biography on Princess Diana by Tina Brown published in 2007, it was reported that Prince William had expressed a desire to become the Governor General of Australia. Tina Brown Lady Evans (born Christina Hambley Brown on November 21, 1952, in Maidenhead, England) is a Journalist, The Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia is the representative in Australia of the monarch of Australia (currently Elizabeth II Queen of Australia) ^[17] That such a desire should ever be fulfilled is doubtful, according to John Howard the then Prime Minister of Australia, who said "We have for a long time embraced the idea that the person who occupies that post should be in every way an Australian citizen". See also Howard Government John Winston Howard AC (born 26 July 1939 was the 25th Prime Minister of Australia from 11 March The Prime Minister of Australia is the Head of government of the Commonwealth of Australia, holding office on commission from the Governor-General. [2]

In July 2007, Prince William represented the Royal Family when he opened the 21st World Scout Jamboree celebrating the centennial of the founding of the Scout Movement. July 2007 is the seventh month of that year It began on a Sunday and 31 days later ended on a Tuesday. The 21st World Jamboree was held in July and August 2007 and formed a part of the Scouting 2007 Centenary celebrations of the World Scout Movement. Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide Youth movement with the stated aim of supporting young people in their physical mental and spiritual

Personal life

William's private life has been the subject of much discussion in the international news media, especially surrounding Kate Middleton.

Kate Middleton

In late 2005 the media concentrated on his long-term relationship with girlfriend Kate Middleton, formerly one of his university flatmates, whom he began dating late in 2003. Catherine Elizabeth Middleton (born 9 January 1982) is the girlfriend of Prince William of Wales. There was no statement from the Queen or the Prince of Wales regarding their views of the relationship or a possible marriage.

Kate Middleton attended Prince William's passing out parade at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst on 15 December 2006. The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst ( RMAS) commonly known simply as Sandhurst, is the British Army officer initial training centre Events 533 - Byzantine general Belisarius defeats the Vandals, commanded by King Gelimer, at the Battle of Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. This was the first high-profile event Middleton attended as Prince William's guest. She was accompanied by her parents and the prince's private secretary Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton. Major A James (Jamie M Lowther-Pinkerton MVO, MBE is part-time Private Secretary to Their Royal Highnesses Princes William and Harry

On 14 April 2007 a Sun newspaper report suggested that Prince William and Kate Middleton had split up. Events 43 BC - Battle of Forum Gallorum: Mark Antony, besieging Julius Caesar 's assassin Decimus Junius Brutus in Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The Sun is a Tabloid daily newspaper published in the United Kingdom and Ireland with the highest circulation of any daily English-language ^[18] Other media outlets such as the BBC confirmed the story as the day progressed. The couple decided to break up during a recent holiday in the Swiss resort of Zermatt. Switzerland (English pronunciation; Schweiz Swiss German: Schwyz or Schwiiz Suisse Svizzera Svizra officially the Swiss Confederation Zermatt (Praborgne is a municipality in the district of Visp in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. ^[19][20]

A report in the Daily Mail blamed a desire by royal courtiers not to "hurry along" a marriage announcement, and William's desire to enjoy his bachelor status within his Army career. The Daily Mail is a British newspaper currently published in a tabloid format The Mail also suggested that William's friend Guy Pelly encouraged the Prince to take a "careless approach" to relationships. The same article suggested that Middleton had "expected too much" in wanting William to demonstrate his commitment to her. ^[21]

In June 2007, the couple attended a party at Lulworth army barracks together. June 2007 is the sixth month of that year It began on a Friday and 30 days later ended on a Saturday. At the time Middleton and William insisted they were "just good friends" following reports of a reconciliation. ^[22] In July 2007 Middleton accepted an invitation from William to attend the Concert for Diana, held at London's Wembley Stadium, but they sat three rows apart. Concert for Diana was a concert held at the new Wembley Stadium in London, England, United Kingdom in honour of Diana Princess of Wembley Stadium is a Stadium in Wembley, located in the London Borough of Brent in London, England. ^[23] In August 2007 after the couple spent a week-long holiday together on the isolated island of Desroches in the Seychelles Islands, the BBC and the Daily Mail, among other news sources, stated that Prince William and Ms. August 2007 is the eighth month of that year It began on a Wednesday and 31 days later ended on a Friday. The Daily Mail is a British newspaper currently published in a tabloid format Middleton were reconciled and had resumed their relationship. In October 2007, Middleton flew to Scotland with William and they joined his father Prince Charles for a shooting party on the Balmoral Estate. October 2007 is the tenth month of that year It began on a Monday and 31 days later ended on a Wednesday. Balmoral Castle is a large Estate house situated in the area of Aberdeenshire, Scotland known as Royal Deeside.

Titles, styles, honours and arms

Styles of HRH Prince William of Wales
Reference style	His Royal Highness
Spoken style	Your Royal Highness
Alternative style	Sir

Titles and styles

• 21 June 1982 —: His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales

The Prince's style in full is His Royal Highness Prince William Arthur Philip Louis of Wales, Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. A style of office, or honorific, is a term which by Tradition or Law precedes a reference to a person who holds a post or Title, or to the Events 524 - Godomar, King of the Burgundians defeats the Franks at the Battle of Vézeronce. Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar)

Surname

By Order-in-Council in 1960, the non-titled descendants of Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh were given the surname Mountbatten-Windsor, combining the dynasty name of Elizabeth and the assumed surname of Philip. An Order-in-Council is a type of legislation in Commonwealth Realms. Mountbatten-Windsor is the personal Surname of some of the descendants of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh under an ambiguously-worded However, although titled, the Queen's children have all decided to use the surname also in honour of their father. For their banns for their first marriages, both William's aunt, Anne, Princess Royal and his own father, Charles, Prince of Wales, used Mountbatten-Windsor rather than Windsor. The banns of marriage, commonly known simply as "the banns " (from an Old English word meaning "to summon" are the public announcement in Mountbatten-Windsor is now treated as being the surname of all descendants of the Queen and the Duke except those, like the children of the Princess Royal, who have a new paternal surname (in that case, "Phillips"). ^[24]

As with Royal Family tradition, Prince William used "Wales" as a last name during his years of education, as has Prince Harry. William's York cousins in turn use "York" (other Royal Families also use their parents' title as their own working surname). Past precedent, however, is that such title-surnames are dropped from usage in adulthood, with either title alone or name and Mountbatten-Windsor being used on legal documents and banns of marriage.

Future

Should his father succeed to the throne, William will automatically and immediately obtain the titles of Duke of Rothesay and Duke of Cornwall and it is expected that he will be invested as Prince of Wales, although this is not automatic. The Dukedom of Cornwall was the first Dukedom created in the Peerage of England. Prince of Wales (Tywysog Cymru is a title traditionally granted to the Heir Apparent to the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom (and formerly the Kingdom Should his father predecease the Queen, leaving William as first-in-line to the throne, she may choose to create him Prince of Wales. Death is the termination of the biological functions that define living Organisms It refers both to a specific

Regnal

As the eldest son of the current Prince of Wales, William may ascend to the respective thrones of the United Kingdom and the other 15 Commonwealth realms. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located A Commonwealth realm is any one of 16 sovereign states within the Commonwealth of Nations that each have Elizabeth II as their respective Monarch If William decides to use his first name as his regnal name, he would be known as William V. A regnal name, or reign name, is a formal name used by some Popes and Monarchs during their Reigns Since Medieval times monarchs He can of course as monarch choose any regnal name.

Honours

On 22 April 2008 it was announced that the Queen was pleased to appoint Prince William as a Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. Events 1500 - Portuguese Navigator Pedro Álvares Cabral becomes the first European to sight Brazil. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common The Most Noble Order of the Garter is an Order of chivalry, or Knighthood, originating in Medieval England, and presently bestowed on recipients He became the 1,000th member on the Order's Register. ^[25]

The last time a sovereign granted the Order of the Garter to a grandchild was in 1894, when Queen Victoria installed her grandson Prince Alfred, The Hereditary Prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Year 1894 ( MDCCCXCIV) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901 was from 20 June 1837 the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Hereditary Prince Alfred of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (Alfred Alexander William Ernest Albert 15 October 1874 – 6 February 1899) was born Before him in 1884, Prince George of Wales (later King George V) was granted with the Order too. Year 1884 ( MDCCCLXXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year

Prince William also holds the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal. The Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal was a commemorative medal struck by the Royal Canadian Mint to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of Elizabeth's reign

Military

• Cornet (Second Lieutenant), The Blues and Royals, 16 December 2006^[3]
• Lieutenant, The Blues and Royals, 16 December 2006^[4]
• Flying Officer, Royal Air Force, 1 January 2008 ^[5]
• Sub-Lieutenant, Royal Navy, 1 January 2008 ^[6]

Honorary military appointments

• Commodore-in-Chief, Scotland, 8 August 2006
• Commodore-in-Chief, Submarines, 8 August 2006

Arms

Arms of Prince William of Wales

On his 18th birthday, Prince William was granted his own personalised coat of arms. Cornet was originally the third and lowest grade of Commissioned officer in a British Cavalry Troop, after Captain and Lieutenant Second Lieutenant is the lowest commissioned officer Military rank in many Armed forces. The Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons (RHG/D is a cavalry regiment of the British Army, part of the Household Cavalry. Lieutenant (abbreviated Lt or Lieut) is a Military, Naval, Paramilitary, Fire service, Emergency medical services Flying Officer ( Fg Off in the RAF FLGOFF in the RAAF FGOFF in the RNZAF F/O in the former RCAF and frequently in the RAF is a junior commissioned Sub-Lieutenant is a military rank It is normally a junior officer rank The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British armed services (and is therefore known as the Senior Service) Commodore-in-Chief is an honorary Royal Navy appointment bestowed by the Queen on various members of the Royal Family on 8 August 2006. Along with HMNB Devonport and HMNB Portsmouth, Her Majesty's Naval Base (HMNB Clyde is one of the Royal Navy 's three operational bases Events 1220 - Sweden is defeated by Estonian tribes in the Battle of Lihula. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Commodore-in-Chief is an honorary Royal Navy appointment bestowed by the Queen on various members of the Royal Family on 8 August 2006. The Royal Navy Submarine Service is the collective name given to the Submarine element of the Royal Navy. Events 1220 - Sweden is defeated by Estonian tribes in the Battle of Lihula. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. A coat of arms or armorial bearings (often just arms for short in European tradition is a design belonging to a particular person (or group of people His arms are those of the Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom with a label for difference:

Quarterly (by quarters):

1st and 4th, Gules, three lions passant guardant in pale or (England). The Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom is the official Coat of arms of the British monarch, currently Queen Elizabeth II. Heraldry, a label is a charge closely resembling the strap with pendants which from the saddle crossed the horse's chest (The first and fourth quarters display three yellow lions on a red field, representing England. )

2nd, Or, a lion rampant within a double tressure flory counterflory gules (Scotland). (The second quarter displays a red lion in a yellow field, with a double border also red, representing Scotland. )

3rd, Azure, a harp or stringed argent (Ireland). (The third quarter displays a yellow harp with white strings on a blue field, representing Ireland. )

The whole distinguished by a label of three points argent, the central point charged with an escallop gules.

The Escallop Gules is in reference to his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, as the escallop appears in the Spencer coat of arms. Earl Spencer is a title in the Peerage of Great Britain that was created on 1 November 1765, along with the title Viscount Althorp, of Althorp As the eldest son of the eldest son of the sovereign, his arms are distinguished by a label of three points unlike the arms of other grandchildren of the sovereign, which are distinguished by a label of five points.

Ancestry

Genealogists' results of his well-researched ancestry are presented at many websites and the first four generations are given below. For further ancestry, see Ancestors of Prince William of Wales at Genealogics.

Through his maternal grandfather, Prince William is descended from King Charles II and King James II and VII of England and Scotland. Charles II (Charles Stuart 29 May 1630 – 6 February 1685 was the King of England, Scotland, and Ireland. James II of England and Ireland James VII of Scotland (14 October 1633 &ndash 16 September 1701 was King of England, King of Scots, Later that same year James William, should he become King, will be the first monarch since Queen Anne to be descended from Charles I of England and Scotland. Anne (6 February 1665 – 1 August 1714 became Queen of England, Scotland and Ireland on 8 March 1702 succeeding William III of England and II of Charles I, (19 November 1600 &ndash 30 January 1649 was King of England, Scotland and Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution. Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. Prince William is of remote Armenian, Irish, Scottish, American, and English descent from his mother, the late Princess Diana. Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain.

Patrilineal descent

William's patriline is the line from which he is descended father to son. Patrilineal descent is the principle behind membership in most royal houses, and can be traced back through the generations - which means that William is agnatically a member of the Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg line of the House of Oldenburg. Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg (in Danish: Slesvig-Holsten-Sønderborg-Lyksborg) from Glücksburg in northernmost Germany The House of Oldenburg is a North German dynasty and one of Europe 's most influential Royal Houses It first became royal when Count Christian I House of Oldenburg

1. Egilmar I of Lerigau, dates unknown
2. Egilmar II of Lerigau, d. 1142
3. Christian I of Oldenburg, d. 1167
4. Moritz of Oldenburg, d. 1209
5. Christian II of Oldenburg, d. 1233
6. John I, Count of Oldenburg, d. 1275
7. Christian III, Count of Oldenburg, d. 1285
8. John II, Count of Oldenburg, d. 1314
9. Conrad I, Count of Oldenburg, 1300 - 1347
10. Christian V, Count of Oldenburg, 1340 - 1423
11. Dietrich, Count of Oldenburg, 1398 - 1440
12. Christian I, King of Denmark, 1426 - 1481
13. Frederick I, King of Denmark, 1471 - 1533
14. Christian III, King of Denmark, 1503 - 1559
15. John II, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg, 1545 - 1622
16. Alexander, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg, 1573 - 1627
17. August Philipp, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Beck, 1612 - 1675
18. Frederick Louis, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Beck, 1653 - 1728
19. Peter August, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Beck, 1696 - 1775
20. Karl Anton August, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Beck, 1727 - 1759
21. Friedrich Karl Ludwig, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Beck, 1757 - 1816
22. Friedrich Wilhelm, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg, 1785 - 1831
23. Christian IX, King of Denmark, 1818 - 1906
24. George I, King of Greece, 1845 - 1913
25. Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark, 1882 - 1944
26. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, 1921 -
27. Charles, Prince of Wales, 1948 -
28. Prince William of Wales, 1982 -

See also

• Royal William, a German red rose named after Prince William shortly after his birth. Count Christian V of Oldenburg, (d 1423 was the ruling count of Oldenburg from 1398 until his death in 1423 Derrick or Dietrich of Oldenburg, latin-based anglicization also Theoderic of Oldenburg (c Christian I (1426 &ndash 1481 Danish monarch and union king of Denmark (1448 &ndash 1481 Norway (1450 &ndash 1481 and Sweden (1457 &ndash Frederick I of Denmark and Norway ( October 7 1471 &ndash April 10 1533) was the son of the first Oldenburg King Christian Christian III ( August 12, 1503 &ndash January 1, 1559) king of Denmark and Norway, was the son of Frederick John II (Hans den yngre Johann II 25 March 1545 &ndash 9 October 1622) was a Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg. Alexander, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg, was born on January 20, 1573 in Sønderborg (German Sonderburg) in August Philipp, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Beck, was born on November 11, 1612 in Sonderborg Frederick Louis of Holstein-Sonderburg-Beck (Friedrich Ludwig von Holstein-Sonderburg-Beck Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Beck, was born on April 6, Peter August of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Beck (born 7 December 1697 in Königsberg, Prussia Marriage and issue Friedrich married Countess Friederike of Schlieben ( February 28, 1757 - December 17, 1827 Titles styles honours and arms Titles and styles 4 January 1785 - 25 March 1816: His Serene Highness Christian IX ( April 8, 1818 - January 29, 1906) was King of Denmark from November 16, 1863 to January 29 George I King of the Hellenes (Γεώργιος A' Βασιλεύς των Ελλήνων Georgios A' Vasileus ton Ellinon; 24 December 1845 &ndash 18 March 1913 was Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark ( 20 January / 2 February 1882 ( o The Royal William Rose is a hybrid red tea Rose. It is also known as Duftzauber (in English 'Fragrant Charm' another marketed name or 'Scented Magic'
• British prince

Notes

External links

• Royal.gov.uk - Prince William
• Prince of Wales.gov.uk - Prince William
• Monarchy Wales - leading campaign organisation
• Illustrated biography of Prince William
• Prince William graduates from RMAS
• Prince William talks with NBC's Matt Lauer
• Prince William of Wales at the Internet Movie Database