Celebrations: Happy Birthday, Prince William!
Posted by Ella on June 20, 2008
Happy 26th birthday to our favorite second-in-line to the throne, Prince William!
And what a 26 years it has been! William Arther Philip Louis, first child of Charles, Prince of Wales, and Lady Diana Spencer, was born at 9:03 PM on June 21, 1982 at St. Mary’s Hospital in the Paddington neighborhood of London. His father was 33 years old; his mother was not quite 21. William was the Queen and Prince Philip’s third grandchild, after Princess Anne’s children, Peter and Zara Phillips. At birth, he was automatically given the title of Prince and was styled His Royal Highness. He replaced his uncle, Prince Andrew, as second-in-line to the British throne.
William’s baptism took place on August 4, 1982 in the Music Room at Buckingham Palace, and was presided over by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Robert Runcie. The young prince’s godparents were Princess Alexandra, Lady Susan Hussey, the Duchess of Westminster, King Constantine II of Greece, Sir Laurens van der Post, and Lord Brabourne.
Best birthday wishes, Wills! Hope you have a bang-up bash, with as much polo, liquor, and dancing with Kate Middleton as you can pack into one night off from military taste-testing!
Prince William’s life (so far!) in pictures below…
The Prince and Princess of Wales with newborn Prince William of Wales
An official portrait of the parents and their newborn son
Wills the Wombat investigating a press video camera
William (center) exploring the balcony of Buckingham Palace with Peter Phillips (left) and Lord Frederick Windsor (right); Princess Diana holds baby Prince Harry
Off to school with Prince Charles, Princess Diana, and a waving younger brother, Harry
Quiet time with his mother, Diana
Taking in an amusement park water ride with Princess Diana and Prince Harry
William starts school at Eton
With Prince Harry after the sudden death of their mother, Princess Diana
Prince Charles and his sons
Teenage William studying at Eton
Off to college at St. Andrews in Scotland with Prince Charles at his side
An embrace for girlfriend Kate Middleton, who met the prince while both were students at St. Andrews
In military uniform while training at Sandhurst after his college graduation
A favorite pastime — playing polo with Harry
William gained a stepmother in 2005 with his father’s marriage to Camilla Parker Bowles
Dancing at last summer’s memorial Concert for Diana, marking the tenth anniversary of their mother’s death
Greeting a young girl during a walkabout on one of his official duties
William’s RAF graduation — with long-time girlfriend Kate by his side
His most recent portrait — at his investiture as a Garter Knight on Monday, June 16, 2008
Ruth McCollum said
It is heart breaking to see the Princes with their mother in these pictures. They loved each other so much and had such fun together, not stuffy formal things. I know that they miss her so much and she would be tremendously proud of them as grown men.
Elizabeth Harris said
I agree with Ruth McCollum’s comments. Judging by the photos, Diana and her sons did lots of fun things together. Diana was able to show her boys how non-royals live and have fun. If she were alive, I have no doubt that Diana would be so proud of her sons.
I hope William’s b-day was a happy one.