A look back at the Duke of Cambridge’s life through 40 remarkable photos, from his royal debut to becoming a family man and future king.
As Prince William celebrates his 40th birthday on June 21st, a collection of 40 photos has been curated to mark this significant milestone in the Duke of Cambridge’s life. These images showcase his journey from a newborn cradled in his mother’s arms to the poised future king he is today.
From early childhood moments to royal duties, the photos reveal a life shaped by both joyful and challenging events. Among the highlights are candid shots of William as a young boy on family holidays with his parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and playing bicycle polo with his brother, Prince Harry.
In the collection, you can also see a teenage William at university, and later, in his military uniform at Sandhurst, where he trained as an officer. He is also pictured during his role as an air ambulance helicopter pilot, showing his dedication to public service.
One particularly historic image captures the Duke as a baby, accompanying his parents on their first royal tour to Australia and New Zealand in 1983, when he was just nine months old. In 2006, another photo shows him with a mischievous smile as his grandmother, the Queen, comments during a Sandhurst passing-out parade.
The album also highlights some of the happiest moments in William’s life, including his engagement to Kate Middleton, now the Duchess of Cambridge, and their wedding day in 2011. A momentous picture from 2013 shows the proud parents introducing their newborn son, Prince George, to the world outside the Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital.
However, William’s life has not been without sadness. A poignant photo from 1997 captures the aftermath of the tragic death of his mother, Princess Diana, and the grief William shared with his younger brother, Prince Harry. Despite their well-publicised rift, the brothers came together in 2021 to unveil a statue in honour of their mother.
The photos also showcase William’s more adventurous side, with moments from his participation in a Sport Relief mile run in 2006, his motorbike experience at the Isle of Man TT in 2018, and his royal tour to Pakistan with Kate in 2019.
Born on June 21, 1982, at St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, William was the firstborn son of the Prince and Princess of Wales. He was given the title of Duke of Cambridge by the Queen on the morning of his wedding in 2011. As second in line to the throne, William’s future as monarch remains certain, and he is widely expected to ascend as King William V.
These 40 images offer a glimpse into the life of Prince William, a royal figure who continues to balance public duties with family life, and who will one day inherit the role of King.
