Growing Up
Growing Up
Prince William turned 18 on 21st June 2000. To mark the occasion, William gave an interview and pictures and footage of him at Eton were released. Her Majesty The Queen also gave the Prince his own Coat of Arms.
In June 2003, Prince William celebrated his 21st birthday with an African-themed party hosted by The Queen at Windsor Castle.
To mark the special birthday, Prince William chose to visit Wales with his father on an official visit. They attended the Anglesey Food Fair and opened a new day centre for the homeless in Newport.
In June 2004, Prince Harry and his brother Prince William attended the funeral of their maternal grandmother, Mrs Frances Shand Kydd, in Oban, Scotland. During the private service, Prince William read a lesson from the Jerusalem Bible, Romans Chapter 8; Verses 35 – 39. Later, Prince William and his brother Prince Harry joined members of the Spencer family at a private burial at a cemetery on the edge of Oban.
Prince William, Prince Harry and their father The Prince of Wales accompanied The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh to the opening of the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain in Hyde Park, London on 6th July 2004.
On 10th February 2005, Clarence House announced the marriage of The Prince of Wales and Mrs Camilla Parker Bowles. Prince William and Prince Harry released a joint statement that said: “We are both very happy for our father and Camilla, and we wish them all the luck in the future.”
On 9th April 2005, The Prince of Wales and Mrs Parker Bowles were married in a civil ceremony at the Guildhall in Windsor. Prince William and Tom Parker Bowles were witnesses to the marriage. It was followed by a Service of Prayer and Dedication at St George’s Chapel and a reception at Windsor Castle.
In July 2005, Prince William visited New Zealand to represent Her Majesty The Queen in Wellington and Auckland at events to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and to show his support for the British and Irish Lions rugby team on their tour to New Zealand.
On 21st April 2006 Prince William joined other members of the Royal Family at a dinner to celebrate The Queen's 80th birthday hosted by The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall at Kew Palace.
On Saturday 20th May, Prince William and Prince Harry accompanied The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall to The Prince's Trust's 30th Birthday Party at the Tower of London. To mark the 30th Anniversary of The Prince’s Trust, The Prince of Wales, Prince William and Prince Harry were interviewed together for the first time by television presenters Ant and Dec.
On 14th July 2006, Prince William and Prince Harry made a joint statement after an Italian magazine published pictures relating to the death of their mother Diana, Princess of Wales. Click here to read the statement.
On 12th December 2006, Prince William and Prince Harry announced plans to commemorate and celebrate the life of their mother, Diana, Princess of Wales in 2007. Click here to read the press release.
On 15th December 2006, Prince William was commissioned as an army officer and joined the Household Cavalry (Blues and Royals) as a Second Lieutenant. Click here to read the story.
On 7th April 2008, Prince William and Prince Harry made a joint statement about the inquest into the death of their mother and Dodi Al Fayed. Click here to read the statement.
On St George's Day (23rd April 2008) The Queen appointed Prince William to be a Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. Click here to read more.