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01
As a child, an unofficial rule prevented him from flying in the same plane as his father to avoid losing two future kings in one accident. The sovereign occasionally granted permission for them to fly together.
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02
He nearly dropped out of university until Catherine Princess of Wales convinced him to stay. She treated him like any other student, sang karaoke with him, and he did his own shopping while studying.
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03
He needed Queen Elizabeth II’s permission to wed before his 25th birthday; without it, he could still marry if Parliament received a year’s notice without objections.
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04
He is fluent in French and Latin, speaks some Spanish, and learned Welsh in anticipation of becoming Prince of Wales.
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05
He writes thank-you notes with a fountain pen whenever he visits someone’s home.
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06
William proposed to Catherine using his mother’s engagement ring on the slopes of Mount Kenya. He did not ask her father’s approval beforehand, fearful of a refusal.
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07
As a boy, he wanted to be known as "just William."
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08
Applications for courses at St Andrews University rose by 44% after he enrolled.
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09
At age nine, he suffered a depressed fractured skull requiring surgery and 24 stitches after a friend accidentally hit him with a golf club at Ludgrove prep school.
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10
He originally did not want a military career, preferring environmental work in Africa and teaching himself Swahili, but later served with the Welsh Guards and attended Sandhurst.
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11
As a child he wanted to be a policeman.
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12
He has poor eyesight and must wear glasses when flying or driving, though he rarely wears them in public.
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13
He and his wife Catherine are distant cousins, both descended from Sir William Gascoigne and Sir Thomas Fairfax.
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14
He holds the highest academic record 2.1 of any royal heir.
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15
He did not consider marriage until he was at least 28.
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16
He enjoys cooking and took culinary courses while at Eton.
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17
For his 17th birthday, his father reportedly gave him his first car, a VW Golf.
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18
He rides a 600cc Triumph Daytona motorcycle, a hobby his protection officers and wife disapprove of.
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19
He owns a black female Labrador named Widgeon, after a wild duck.
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20
He is a great-great-great-great-grandson of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.
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21
After his marriage, Queen Elizabeth II granted him the titles Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Strathearn, and Baron Carrickfergus.
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22
He was born at St. Mary’s Hospital, the first British prince born in a hospital, and his father was present at the birth — a first for a likely future monarch.
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23
Before university, he spent a gap year working with the Raleigh charity, helping poorer communities worldwide.
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24
He is the older brother of Prince Harry.
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25
He played hockey but quit after a friend lost teeth playing the sport.
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26
He proposed to Catherine during a holiday in Kenya in October 2010; the engagement was announced on November 16, 2010.
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27
As a future king, he studies extensive paperwork as part of his duties.
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28
His official style at birth was HRH Prince William of Wales; after marriage he became The Duke of Cambridge, and in 2022 he became The Prince of Wales.
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29
He often plays tennis with his wife.
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30
He is a great-great-grandson of King George V and Queen Mary.
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31
He was christened on August 4, 1982 in the Music Room at Buckingham Palace by Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Robert Runcie.
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32
He is a great-great-great-grandson of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, and King George of Greece and Queen Olga.
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33
In 2004, he was selected for the Scottish Universities water polo team after trials in Fife, wearing number 12.
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34
His favourite hangout includes Casa Antica, a nightclub in the Swiss Alps.
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35
He finished at Eton in June 2000; at school he was co-captain of the swim team.
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36
He graduated from the University of St Andrews in 2005 with an upper second class degree in history of art.
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37
He is nephew of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Prince Edward, Princess Anne, and Charles Spencer.
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38
He is a dedicated polo player like his brother and father.
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39
He is a fan of Jamie Cullum.
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40
His exercise regime from the Canadian Air Force consists of 11 minutes of stomach crunches, push-ups, stretches and running on the spot.
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41
He drinks spring water during the day, never soft drinks.
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42
He is the older son of King Charles III and Princess Diana.
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43
While at Eton, he was Secretary of the Agricultural Society, Joint Keeper of Swimming, House Captain of Games and House Captain.
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44
He owns a Yamaha 600 trials bike.
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45
Before entering University of St Andrews, he took part in military exercises with the Welsh Guards.
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46
He was interviewed alongside his father and brother by Ant and Dec for The Prince’s Trust 30th Birthday: Live 2006.
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47
His father named him after Prince William of Gloucester, a licensed pilot who died in 1972 in an air race.
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48
His wedding to Kate Middleton cost $34 million.
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49
He was elected to the Eton Society Pop, the school’s prefectorial body, helping supervise 1,280 classmates.
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50
He married Catherine at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011.
