Trivia

When he was young, it was an unofficial rule that he could not fly in the same plane as his father because an accident might take the lives of two future kings. The sovereign must give permission for two heirs to fly on the same plane, which was occasionally granted.

Almost dropped out of university until Catherine Princess of Wales convinced him he needed it. She always treated him like any other student, which is just what he wanted. They used to sing karaoke together. He also did all of his own shopping as a student.

Needed the permission of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, to wed before his 25th birthday. (If it wasn't granted, he could still marry if he informed Parliament of his intentions and they didn't object after a year.).

William gave his mother's engagement ring to Catherine Princess of Wales. He proposed on the slopes of Mount Kenya. He did not ask Michael Middleton's approval to marry Catherine prior to his official proposal of marriage in Kenya, just in case Michael said no. (Refer to William and Catherine's engagement interview.).

Is fluent in French and Latin. Also speaks some Spanish, and learned to speak Welsh in anticipation of becoming Prince of Wales.

Whenever he's a guest in someone's house he writes a thankyou note with a fountain pen.

When William was a boy, he wanted to be known as "just William".

After his marriage to Catherine Princess of Wales, he was given the titles of Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Strathearn (used in Scotland only), and Baron Carrickfergus (used in Northern Ireland only) by his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II. Catherine automatically received the courtesy titles Duchess of Cambridge, Countess of Strathearn and Baroness Carrickfergus.

When he was a child, William wanted to be a policeman when he grew up.

Applications for courses at St Andrews University rose by 44% after William signed up.

He was born at St. Mary's Hospital in London. He is the first British prince to be born in a hospital instead of a royal palace, at the insistence of his mother Princess Diana. Also unusual, his father King Charles III was at Diana's bedside during her labor and the birth, becoming the first royal father to be present for the birth of a likely future monarch. (Charles' own father Prince Philip was only present for the birth of his last child, Edward).

When he was nine-years-old, he needed surgery and 24 stitches for a depressed fractured skull in 1991 when he was he accidentally hit over the head with a club by a friend at Ludgrove prep school in Berkshire.

When he was younger it was reported that he did not wish to follow family tradition and join the Royal Navy. His uncle, Earl Spencer, stated in 1999 that William did want to go into the armed forces. But in 2003 the BBC reported that he said that he didn't want to pursue a military career, which is what his brother, Harry has announced he will do. Instead, he said he wishes to do environmental work in Africa and is trying to teach himself Swahili.

Is a distant cousin of his wife Catherine Princess of Wales. They are both fourteenth cousins once removed and fifteenth cousins, both being descended from Sir William Gascoigne (died 1487) and Sir Thomas Fairfax (died 1520).

Has poor eyesight, and has to wear glasses whenever flying, always with a pilot by his side. He also needs them to drive, but he rarely wears them in public.

William holds the highest academic record (2.1) of any Royal heir.

Enjoys cooking and took culinary courses while studying at Eton.

Didn't consider marriage until he was at least 28.

For his 17th birthday, King Charles III reportedly gave William his first car, a VW Golf.

Rides a motorbike. He enjoys sport bike riding and owns a 600cc Triumph Daytona. His protection officers and wife don't approve of this hobby.

Has a black female Labrador called Widgeon, named after a wild duck.

Great-great-great-great-grandson of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.

Before going to university he took a gap year and worked with the charity organization Raleigh, where young people help poorer communities around the world.

Older brother of Prince Harry.

Proposed to Catherine Princess of Wales during holiday in Kenya in October 2010. News of the engagement was announced publicly on 16 November 2010.

He has to study a lot of paperwork, as one of his duties as the future King of England.

He enjoyed playing hockey but gave it up after a friend has his teeth knocked out.

His official style at birth was "His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales". After his marriage, he was given the title and style "The Duke of Cambridge". In 2022, upon becoming heir apparent to the throne, he was given the title "The Prince of Wales".

Often plays tennis with his wife Catherine Princess of Wales.

Great-great-grandson of King George V and Queen Mary.

Christened on August 4, 1982 in the Music Room at Buckingham Palace by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Robert Runcie.

Was elected to the Eton Society (or Pop), the main prefectorial body for the school. It started in 1811 as a debating society, named for the original venue for meetings in Mrs Hatton's lollipop shop which then stood on a site next to Manor House, where Prince William lived at Eton. It is now like a student monitor position in which he helped to supervise his fellow 1,280 classmates.

Great-great-great-grandson of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, and King George of Greece and Queen Olga. George was Alexandra's brother; he and Olga were the grandparents of William's grandfather, Prince Philip.

In 2004, he was selected for the Scottish Universities water polo team after succeeding trials in Fife, Scotland. His uniform is number 12.

One of Prince William's favourite hangouts is Casa Antica, a nightclub in the Swiss Alps.

Graduated from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland with an upper second class degree in history of art. (2005).

A dedicated polo player along with his brother and father.

Is a fan of Jamie Cullum.

Drinks Spring water during the day; never soft drinks.

Older son of King Charles III and Princess Diana.

Finished at Eton College in June 2000. While there, he lived in Manor House and he was co-captain of his swim team.

Nephew of Prince Andrew, Prince Edward, Princess Anne, and Charles Spencer.

Owns a Yamaha 600 trials bike.

His exercise regime from the Canadian Air Force consists of 11 minutes of stomach crunches, push-ups, stretches and running on the spot like his father and grandfather Prince Philip. Its easier to do in his own room.

While at Eton, he was the Secretary of the Agricultural Society, Joint Keeper (captain) of Swimming, House Captain of Games and House Captain.

Prior to entering the University of St Andrews in Scotland he took part in military exercises with the Welsh Guards.

With his father, King Charles III, and brother, Prince Harry, he was interviewed by Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly for The Prince's Trust 30th Birthday: Live (2006).

William sat in on his first meeting of The Way Ahead, the Monarchy's inner sanctum in Christmas, 2005.

Named by his father after Prince William of Gloucester, son of Charles's great-uncle, the Duke of Gloucester. A licensed pilot, William died in 1972 while competing in the Goodyear International Air Trophy race.

His wedding to Kate Middleton cost $34 million.