The best picture from every year of Prince William's remarkable life

Mikhaila FrielJun 22, 2022, 02:58 IST

Prince William photographed with Princess Diana at Wimbledon in 1994, left, and William with his children Prince George and Princess Charlotte at Buckingham Palace in June 2022, right.Gill Allen/AP Images, Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Prince William, The Duke of Cambridge is celebrating his 40th birthday.
William is second in line to the British throne and the future king of the United Kingdom.

1982: Prince William was born at St Mary's Hospital to parents Prince Charles and Princess Diana on June 21. The couple posed outside the Lindo Wing maternity ward after the birth, marking a new royal tradition that would later be followed by William with his own children.

The Prince and Princess of Wales with Prince William after his birth.David Levenson/ Getty Images

1982: Prince William was born at St Mary's Hospital to parents Prince Charles and Princess Diana on June 21. The couple posed outside the Lindo Wing maternity ward after the birth, marking a new royal tradition that would later be followed by William with his own children.

1983: William was just nine months old when he joined his parents on a tour of Australia and New Zealand. In this photo, the family are greeted by fans at Alice Spring Airport in Australia on March 20.

A baby Prince William in Australia.AP Photo/ Dave Caulkin.

1983: William was just nine months old when he joined his parents on a tour of Australia and New Zealand. In this photo, the family are greeted by fans at Alice Spring Airport in Australia on March 20.

1984: Prince William's brother Harry was born on September 15. It wasn't long after that William got to meet him, as his nanny Barbara Barnes was pictured taking him to visit him in the hospital.

Prince William and his nanny before meeting his little brother for the first time.AP

1984: Prince William's brother Harry was born on September 15. It wasn't long after that William got to meet him, as his nanny Barbara Barnes was pictured taking him to visit him in the hospital.

1985: Charles and Diana raised the boys at Kensington Palace in London, where William now resides with his own family.

The Princess of Wales with her sons.AP

1986: Family vacations were regular. In this photo, William, Harry, Charles, and Diana are joined by the Spanish royal family for a holiday in Mallorca.

A royal family holiday.AP.

1987: William was exposed to royal life from an early age. In this photo, he shares a carriage ride with the Queen Mother at a parade at Buckingham Palace on June 13.

Prince William with Princess Diana and Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother.Gill Allen, AP Images.

1987: William was exposed to royal life from an early age. In this photo, he shares a carriage ride with the Queen Mother at a parade at Buckingham Palace on June 13.

1988: The following year, he joined his mother and Prince Harry on the Buckingham Palace balcony for Trooping the Colour.

Trooping the Colour 1998.Tim Graham/ Getty Images.

1989: Despite being part of one of the most famous families in the world, they still took part in regular activities, like cycling. This photo was taken in Tresco, one of the Scilly Isles, in June.

The Prince and Princess of Wales with Prince Harry, left, and Prince William.AP Images

1989: Despite being part of one of the most famous families in the world, they still took part in regular activities, like cycling. This photo was taken in Tresco, one of the Scilly Isles, in June.

1990: Prince William, top right, helped family friends bury Diana's legs in the sand during a trip to Necker Island.

Fun in the sand.Elise Amendola/ AP Images.

1991: At just 9 years old, the young prince was already a hit with royal family fans. This photo was taken outside St. James Cathedral during a trip to Toronto, Canada.

Prince William meeting well-wishers in Toronto.Hans Deryk/ AP Images

1991: At just 9 years old, the young prince was already a hit with royal family fans. This photo was taken outside St. James Cathedral during a trip to Toronto, Canada.

1992: Family days out were a must. Here he is leaving London's Natural History Museum with Harry and Diana in April.

Prince William looks down as he is photographed leaving a museum.Gill Allen/ AP Images.

1993: As a child, it wasn't unusual for William to be taken on long breaks outside of London to get away from the waiting press. Here he is at St Kitts in the Caribbean with Diana.

Prince William speaking to his mother, Princess Diana, during a trip to the beach.Richard Drew/ AP Images.

1993: As a child, it wasn't unusual for William to be taken on long breaks outside of London to get away from the waiting press. Here he is at St Kitts in the Caribbean with Diana.

1994: As the future king, William got to attend his fair share of high profile events, including Wimbledon. He watched the Ladies' Tennis Championship in July.

William and Diana in the audience at Wimbledon.Gill Allen/ AP Images.

1995: At the age of 13, he started his first day of classes at Eton College on September 7. Eton is an all-boys boarding school in Berkshire, England. Living on school grounds meant the prince was able to get away from the glaring eye of the media.

William in his school uniform.Lynne Sladky/ AP Images.

1995: At the age of 13, he started his first day of classes at Eton College on September 7. Eton is an all-boys boarding school in Berkshire, England. Living on school grounds meant the prince was able to get away from the glaring eye of the media.

1996: Charles and Diana divorced when William was 14 years old. When not at Eton, William would split his time between his parents, going on regular vacations with both of them. Here he is with Charles on a skiing trip.

William and Prince Charles spending quality father and son time on the slopes.Arno Balzarini/ AP Images.

1996: Charles and Diana divorced when William was 14 years old. When not at Eton, William would split his time between his parents, going on regular vacations with both of them. Here he is with Charles on a skiing trip.

1997: Princess Diana passed away on August 31, after sustaining fatal injuries from a car crash in Paris. William and Harry walked behind her coffin at the funeral, which was held at Westminster Abbey.

William and Harry at their mother's funeral.Adam Butler/AP

1997: Princess Diana passed away on August 31, after sustaining fatal injuries from a car crash in Paris. William and Harry walked behind her coffin at the funeral, which was held at Westminster Abbey.

1998: The following year, Harry joined William at Eton. In this picture, the brothers collected gifts from well-wishers during their Christmas Break at Balmoral.

William holding gifts presented to him by royal fans.Fiona Hanson/ AP Images.

1999: At 17 years old, William was finally old enough to take his driving lessons. He practiced with a private instructor at his family's Highgrove estate.

William stepping out of a car during his driving lessons.Dave Caulkin/ AP Images.

2000: The family celebrated the Queen Mother's 100th birthday on the palace balcony on August 4.

William, Charles, and Harry on the Buckingham Palace balcony.UK Press/ Liason.

2001: William and Charles visited the US Consulate in Edinburgh to sign a book of condolences for the victims of 9/11.

William and Charles.Toby Melville/ AP Images.

2002: William and Harry's great-grandmother, the Queen Mother, passed away on March, 30.

William walked behind his great-grandmother's coffin.Santiago Lyon/ AP Images.

2003: William celebrated his 21st birthday with a party at his father's residence, Clarence House. During this time, he was studying at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, although he would come home for the occasional visit to see Prince Charles and the Queen.

The Queen and the two heirs.Kirsty Wigglesworth/ Pool/ File/ AP Images.

2003: William celebrated his 21st birthday with a party at his father's residence, Clarence House. During this time, he was studying at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, although he would come home for the occasional visit to see Prince Charles and the Queen.

2004: A fountain designed in tribute to Princess Diana officially opened in Hyde Park on July 6. William and Harry were at the official unveiling ceremony.

Harry and William.Arthur Edwards/ AP Images.

2005: William and his then-girlfriend Kate Middleton graduated from the University of St Andrews. This photo, taken after the ceremony, wasn't released to the public until eight years later.

William and Kate Middleton during their early years of dating.Getty/Handout

2005: William and his then-girlfriend Kate Middleton graduated from the University of St Andrews. This photo, taken after the ceremony, wasn't released to the public until eight years later.

2006: He graduated from the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst in December. As the Queen arrived to inspect the graduates, she couldn't help but share a laugh with her grandson.

The Queen and Prince William of Wales.Kirsty Wigglesworth/ AP Images.

2006: He graduated from the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst in December. As the Queen arrived to inspect the graduates, she couldn't help but share a laugh with her grandson.

2007: William made a rare appearance with Kate Middleton during the England vs Italy Six Nations match at Twickenham Stadium in February.

A rare candid photo of William, Harry, and Middleton.Alastair Grant/ AP Images.

2008: He embarked on a two-month training attachment with Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth in June. He was known as Sub-Lieutenant Wales during his service.

Prince William.AP Images

2008: He embarked on a two-month training attachment with Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth in June. He was known as Sub-Lieutenant Wales during his service.

2009: William completed 56 hours of Basic and Advanced Flying Training during an attachment with the RAF.

William and Harry pose for an official photo.Kirsty Wigglesworth/ AP Images.

2010: William and Middleton announced their engagement on November 16, at a photo call at St James's Palace.

William and Middleton at their engagement photo call.Chris Jackson/Getty

2011: The pair tied the knot at Westminster Abbey on April 29. The ceremony was broadcast across the globe, and an estimated 24 million people tuned in to watch.

William and Middleton at their royal wedding.WPA Pool/Getty

Source: The Telegraph

2012: The newly-titled Duke and Duchess of Cambridge embarked on a nine-day tour of Southeast Asia and the South Pacific for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in September. In this photo, they travelled in a traditional war canoe during a visit to Tavanipupu in the Solomon Islands.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.Rick Rycroft/ AP Images.

2012: The newly-titled Duke and Duchess of Cambridge embarked on a nine-day tour of Southeast Asia and the South Pacific for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in September. In this photo, they travelled in a traditional war canoe during a visit to Tavanipupu in the Solomon Islands.

2013: The couple welcomed their first child, Prince George, on July 22. They posed for photos outside the Lindo Wing, just as Diana and Charles had after William's own birth.

Prince George was born on July 22, 2013.Anwar Hussein/ Getty Images

2013: The couple welcomed their first child, Prince George, on July 22. They posed for photos outside the Lindo Wing, just as Diana and Charles had after William's own birth.

2014: William and Middleton took Prince George along for their three-week tour of Australia and New Zealand in April.

William and Middleton in Australia.Rob Griffith/ AP Images.

2015: They welcomed a daughter, Princess Charlotte, on May 2.

William and Middleton showing Princess Charlotte to the world after her birth.Tim Ireland/ AP Images.

2016: William, Kate, and Harry launched their Heads Together campaign on May 16. The initiative was set up to tackle the stigma surrounding mental health, an issue that all three royals have spoken candidly about in recent years.

William, Middleton, and Harry.Kirsty Wigglesworth/ AP Images.

2016: William, Kate, and Harry launched their Heads Together campaign on May 16. The initiative was set up to tackle the stigma surrounding mental health, an issue that all three royals have spoken candidly about in recent years.

2017: William dropped Prince George off at his first day of school at Thomas's Battersea that fall. The pair posed together for photos before meeting the school's headteacher. Middleton, who was thought to be suffering from morning sickness from her third pregnancy, was forced to miss the special day.

William and his son Prince George stood for a photo before his first day of school.Handout/Getty Images

2017: William dropped Prince George off at his first day of school at Thomas's Battersea that fall. The pair posed together for photos before meeting the school's headteacher. Middleton, who was thought to be suffering from morning sickness from her third pregnancy, was forced to miss the special day.

2018: William and Middleton's third child, Prince Louis, was born on April 23. It was a busy year for William, as he also had is hands full with being the best man at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in May.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with Prince Louis outside the hospital.Chris Jackson/ Getty Images

2018: William and Middleton's third child, Prince Louis, was born on April 23. It was a busy year for William, as he also had is hands full with being the best man at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in May.

2019: William made an appearance with his family at the Trooping the Colour parade, where he showed off Prince Louis for the first time since his birth in 2018.

The Cambridges at Trooping the Colour on the Buckingham Palace balcony.Max Mumby/ Indigo/ Getty Images.

2020: William was presented with this birthday cake during a visit to Smiths the Bakers in King's Lynn. The visit, which the duke undertook to hear how the company is doing during the pandemic, was one of his first official engagements since lockdown began in the UK.

Prince William's birthday cake.AARON CHOWN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

2020: William was presented with this birthday cake during a visit to Smiths the Bakers in King's Lynn. The visit, which the duke undertook to hear how the company is doing during the pandemic, was one of his first official engagements since lockdown began in the UK.

2021: William and Middleton released new photos to mark their 10th wedding anniversary on April 29. The couple appeared more relaxed and affectionate than in previous photo-ops.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at Kensington Palace.Chris Floyd/Camera Press via Getty Images

2021: William and Middleton released new photos to mark their 10th wedding anniversary on April 29. The couple appeared more relaxed and affectionate than in previous photo-ops.

2022: The Duke of Cambridge celebrated the Queen's Platinum Jubilee with the royal family during the first weekend of June. Here they are on the palace balcony for the Platinum Pageant on June 5.

Queen Elizabeth, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and their children on the palace balcony during the Platinum Jubilee Pageant on June 5.Chris Jackson/Getty Images

2022: The Duke of Cambridge celebrated the Queen's Platinum Jubilee with the royal family during the first weekend of June. Here they are on the palace balcony for the Platinum Pageant on June 5.

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The best picture from every year of Prince William's remarkable life

1982: Prince William was born at St Mary's Hospital to parents Prince Charles and Princess Diana on June 21. The couple posed outside the Lindo Wing maternity ward after the birth, marking a new royal tradition that would later be followed by William with his own children.

1983: William was just nine months old when he joined his parents on a tour of Australia and New Zealand. In this photo, the family are greeted by fans at Alice Spring Airport in Australia on March 20.

1984: Prince William's brother Harry was born on September 15. It wasn't long after that William got to meet him, as his nanny Barbara Barnes was pictured taking him to visit him in the hospital.

1985: Charles and Diana raised the boys at Kensington Palace in London, where William now resides with his own family.

1986: Family vacations were regular. In this photo, William, Harry, Charles, and Diana are joined by the Spanish royal family for a holiday in Mallorca.

1987: William was exposed to royal life from an early age. In this photo, he shares a carriage ride with the Queen Mother at a parade at Buckingham Palace on June 13.

1988: The following year, he joined his mother and Prince Harry on the Buckingham Palace balcony for Trooping the Colour.

1989: Despite being part of one of the most famous families in the world, they still took part in regular activities, like cycling. This photo was taken in Tresco, one of the Scilly Isles, in June.

1990: Prince William, top right, helped family friends bury Diana's legs in the sand during a trip to Necker Island.

1991: At just 9 years old, the young prince was already a hit with royal family fans. This photo was taken outside St. James Cathedral during a trip to Toronto, Canada.

1992: Family days out were a must. Here he is leaving London's Natural History Museum with Harry and Diana in April.

1993: As a child, it wasn't unusual for William to be taken on long breaks outside of London to get away from the waiting press. Here he is at St Kitts in the Caribbean with Diana.

1994: As the future king, William got to attend his fair share of high profile events, including Wimbledon. He watched the Ladies' Tennis Championship in July.

1995: At the age of 13, he started his first day of classes at Eton College on September 7. Eton is an all-boys boarding school in Berkshire, England. Living on school grounds meant the prince was able to get away from the glaring eye of the media.

1996: Charles and Diana divorced when William was 14 years old. When not at Eton, William would split his time between his parents, going on regular vacations with both of them. Here he is with Charles on a skiing trip.

1997: Princess Diana passed away on August 31, after sustaining fatal injuries from a car crash in Paris. William and Harry walked behind her coffin at the funeral, which was held at Westminster Abbey.

1998: The following year, Harry joined William at Eton. In this picture, the brothers collected gifts from well-wishers during their Christmas Break at Balmoral.

1999: At 17 years old, William was finally old enough to take his driving lessons. He practiced with a private instructor at his family's Highgrove estate.

2000: The family celebrated the Queen Mother's 100th birthday on the palace balcony on August 4.

2001: William and Charles visited the US Consulate in Edinburgh to sign a book of condolences for the victims of 9/11.

2002: William and Harry's great-grandmother, the Queen Mother, passed away on March, 30.

2003: William celebrated his 21st birthday with a party at his father's residence, Clarence House. During this time, he was studying at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, although he would come home for the occasional visit to see Prince Charles and the Queen.

2004: A fountain designed in tribute to Princess Diana officially opened in Hyde Park on July 6. William and Harry were at the official unveiling ceremony.

2005: William and his then-girlfriend Kate Middleton graduated from the University of St Andrews. This photo, taken after the ceremony, wasn't released to the public until eight years later.

2006: He graduated from the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst in December. As the Queen arrived to inspect the graduates, she couldn't help but share a laugh with her grandson.

2007: William made a rare appearance with Kate Middleton during the England vs Italy Six Nations match at Twickenham Stadium in February.

2008: He embarked on a two-month training attachment with Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth in June. He was known as Sub-Lieutenant Wales during his service.

2009: William completed 56 hours of Basic and Advanced Flying Training during an attachment with the RAF.

2010: William and Middleton announced their engagement on November 16, at a photo call at St James's Palace.

2011: The pair tied the knot at Westminster Abbey on April 29. The ceremony was broadcast across the globe, and an estimated 24 million people tuned in to watch.

2012: The newly-titled Duke and Duchess of Cambridge embarked on a nine-day tour of Southeast Asia and the South Pacific for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in September. In this photo, they travelled in a traditional war canoe during a visit to Tavanipupu in the Solomon Islands.

2013: The couple welcomed their first child, Prince George, on July 22. They posed for photos outside the Lindo Wing, just as Diana and Charles had after William's own birth.

2014: William and Middleton took Prince George along for their three-week tour of Australia and New Zealand in April.

2015: They welcomed a daughter, Princess Charlotte, on May 2.

2016: William, Kate, and Harry launched their Heads Together campaign on May 16. The initiative was set up to tackle the stigma surrounding mental health, an issue that all three royals have spoken candidly about in recent years.

2018: William and Middleton's third child, Prince Louis, was born on April 23. It was a busy year for William, as he also had is hands full with being the best man at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in May.

2019: William made an appearance with his family at the Trooping the Colour parade, where he showed off Prince Louis for the first time since his birth in 2018.

2020: William was presented with this birthday cake during a visit to Smiths the Bakers in King's Lynn. The visit, which the duke undertook to hear how the company is doing during the pandemic, was one of his first official engagements since lockdown began in the UK.

2021: William and Middleton released new photos to mark their 10th wedding anniversary on April 29. The couple appeared more relaxed and affectionate than in previous photo-ops.

2022: The Duke of Cambridge celebrated the Queen's Platinum Jubilee with the royal family during the first weekend of June. Here they are on the palace balcony for the Platinum Pageant on June 5.