Prinz William, Fürst zu Wales

William, Prince of Wales, was born on 21 June 1982 in London as the eldest son of Charles, then Prince of Wales and now King Charles III, and Diana, Princess of Wales. He grew up during the reign of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, and was baptized at Buckingham Palace. His younger brother Harry was born in 1984. The two brothers initially lived with their parents at Kensington Palace and Highgrove House in Gloucestershire. Diana sought to give her sons ordinary experiences alongside their royal upbringing. William accompanied his parents on a visit to Australia and New Zealand as a young child and later took part in further official visits. His parents’ divorce in 1996 and his mother’s death in a car accident on 31 August 1997 had a lasting impact on him. William was fifteen at the time. Together with Harry, his father, his grandfather Prince Philip, and his uncle Charles Spencer, he walked behind Diana’s coffin through London. William later said that he had remained in a state of shock for years after her death. The brothers inherited a substantial part of Diana’s estate and many of her personal possessions. William first attended schools in London, followed by Ludgrove School and Eton College. There he studied geography, biology, and art history, captained swimming and football teams, and played water polo. After Eton, he took a gap year during which he participated in military exercises in Belize, worked on a British farm, and helped with an international volunteer project in Chile. He also traveled to Africa and began learning Swahili. In 2001, William began studying at the Scottish University of St Andrews. He initially studied art history but later changed his subject to geography. His dissertation focused on coral reefs in the Indian Ocean. In 2005, he graduated with a Master of Arts degree with honors. At St Andrews, he met Catherine Middleton. Their friendship developed into a relationship that was briefly interrupted but ultimately endured. After university, William chose a military career. In 2006, he completed training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and joined the Blues and Royals as Lieutenant Wales. He also trained with the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. Because of the particular risks associated with his position as second in line to the throne, he was not deployed to Iraq. Instead, he specialized in air rescue and completed his training as a helicopter pilot in 2010. From 2009 to 2013, William served with the Royal Air Force’s search-and-rescue unit. He took part in numerous operations, including the rescue of sailors and searches over the sea. In total, he participated in 156 search-and-rescue missions, in which 149 people were rescued. He also spent six weeks stationed in the Falkland Islands in 2012. From 2015 to 2017, he worked as a full-time pilot for the East Anglian Air Ambulance. He donated his salary to the organization. The work brought him directly into contact with serious injuries, grief, and the pressures faced by the health service. William and Catherine became engaged in October 2010 during a trip to Kenya. He gave her his mother’s engagement ring. They married at Westminster Abbey on 29 April 2011. On their wedding day, William was created Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Strathearn, and Baron Carrickfergus. The couple have three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. The family initially lived in London and at the country estate of Anmer Hall before moving to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor in 2022. As a member of the royal family, William undertook numerous official duties and overseas tours. Together with Catherine, he visited Canada, Australia, New Zealand, several Asian countries, Pakistan, and countries in Europe and the Middle East. These visits supported international relations and social, environmental, and cultural causes. William also served as president of the Football Association of England and supported rugby, swimming, and the development of young coaches. Queen Elizabeth II died on 8 September 2022, and William’s father acceded to the throne as Charles III. The following day, the new king appointed his eldest son Prince of Wales. William also inherited the Duchy of Cornwall. In his new role, he visited Wales and continued his public duties. He represented the king at international events and took part in commemorations, diplomatic meetings, and religious occasions. A major focus of William’s work is charitable service. Through the Royal Foundation, he supports projects involving mental health, environmental protection, homelessness, and assistance for emergency workers. Together with Catherine and Harry, he helped launch the Heads Together campaign and the crisis text service Shout. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he supported programs for medical personnel and promoted vaccination and mental well-being. Conservation is another of his principal concerns. William is patron of several organizations dedicated to protecting wildlife and combating the illegal trade in ivory and rhinoceros horn. In 2020, he founded the Earthshot Prize, which is intended to promote solutions to global environmental problems over the course of a decade. Since 2023, he has pursued the goal of ending homelessness in the United Kingdom through the Homewards initiative. The program supports housing, early intervention, and cooperation between charitable and private partners in several pilot regions. William has also spoken out against discrimination and in support of LGBT rights. His interest in mental health is connected to his experiences as a rescue pilot, his work with homeless people, and his support for veterans and families facing difficult circumstances. At the same time, he strongly protects his private life. His mother’s early death in connection with paparazzi pursuit shaped his critical attitude toward the press. Together with Catherine, he has repeatedly taken legal action against intrusive photographers and media organizations. In public, William is regarded as reserved and family-oriented, with a particular interest in ensuring that the monarchy remains modern and socially relevant.