Prince Williams’s Younger Years: Photos Of The Royal In His Pre-Teens, Teens & 20s

By:

Elissa Anderson

June 21, 2023 12:55PM EDT

Prince William is second in the line of succession for the British royal family. Check out photos of the Duke of Cambridge during his younger years.

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Prince William

Prince William — Princess Diana poses with a newborn Prince William, as he lays on a couch in 1982. Someday, Prince William, 39, will likely be crowned the King of England. The Duke of Cambridge is currently second in the line of succession, behind his father Prince Charles, 72. During his childhood, William was deeply impacted both by his parents divorcing in 1996 and his mother’s sudden and tragic death in 1997. From 2001 to 2005, he studied in Scotland at the University of St. Andrews, where he graduated with a Scottish Master of Arts degree. After school, he enrolled in the Royal Air Force.

William married Kate Middleton, 39, in 2010, and the couple have three lovely children together: Prince George, 7, Princess Charlotte, 6, and Prince Louis of Cambridge, 3. George is third in the line of succession behind his father. Due to his position in the British royal family, and where he lands in the line of succession, William has received media attention throughout his life, even in his younger days.

Scroll through our gallery to see photos of the Duke of Cambridge throughout his royal childhood, teenage years and young adulthood.

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Prince Williams In New Zealand

Prince Williams In New Zealand — Prince William visited New Zealand as an infant in April 1983. Princess Diana and Prince Charles were on a royal tour of the country, when they were photographed sitting out with William on the grounds of Government House in Auckland.

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Prince William With Princess Diana

Prince William With Princess Diana — Princess Diana holds young Prince William’s hand when he was a toddler. Diana looked lovely in a pink dress. William was adorable, as he sported bright blue pair of overalls and a blue-striped t-shirt.

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Prince William (1987)

Prince William (1987) — Prince William showed off some of his artwork on his first day of school. As a youngster, William attended the Wetherby School, which is an all boys pre-prep school.

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Prince William (1989)

Prince William (1989) — Prince William was caught eating a candy bar at age 7 in 1989. Even royal children still love candy! He wore a white polo with a navy blue collar in the shot.

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Prince William At The Grand Prix (1992)

Prince William At The Grand Prix (1992) — Prince William attended a practice for the British Grand Prix in 1992. Throughout his life, William has been a noted sports fan and has established a bunch of charitable organizations and held positions for various associations related to games like soccer.

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Prince William With His Mom Princess Diana At Wimbledon (1994)

Prince William With His Mom Princess Diana At Wimbledon (1994) — Prince William and Princess Diana watch the Ladies Finals at the 1994 Wimbledon. Diana looked gorgeous in a black dress with gold buttons. William sported a preppy look with khakis, a blue button-down and a tie.

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Prince William At Eton College (1995)

Prince William At Eton College (1995) — Prince William posed with his family and headmaster at Eton College, a presitigious boarding school both he and Prince Harry attended. Harry is William’s younger brother by two years.

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Prince William (1997)

Prince William (1997) — A portrait of Prince William in Scotland in 1997. Tragedy struck the royal family in 1997, when William’s mother Princess Diana was tragically killed in a car crash after being chased by paparazzi.

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Prince William (1997)

Prince William (1997) — Prince William attended his mother Princess Diana’s funeral in 1997. He was at the royal family’s Scottish home Balmoral, when he found out his mother had been killed. “Still in shock, I found sanctuary in the service at Crathie Kirk that very morning,” he said in a 2021 address, where mentioned his mother’s death. “And in the dark days of grief that followed, I found comfort and solace in the Scottish outdoors.”

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Prince William in Canada (1998)

Prince William in Canada (1998) — Prince William visited the Space Centre in Vancouver, Canada on a 1998 trip with his father. He was greeted at the Space Centre with a crowd of screaming girls, according to The Associated Press.

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Prince William In Highgrove

Prince William In Highgrove — Even members of the royal family learn to drive! Prince William stepped out of a car in Highgrove after he received a driving lesson. He rocked a casual pair of jeans, collared shirt and navy blue sweater.

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Prince William in Chile (2000)

Prince William in Chile (2000) — Before enrolling at the University of St. Andrews, William took a gap year, where he explored Chile. He was photographed relaxing with a book, while wearing a Raleigh hoodie and slacks.

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Prince William (2002)

Prince William (2002) — Much more grown up, Prince William suited up to join the royal family at St. Mary’s Church in Wales. By 2001, he’d met his future wife Kate Middleton while they were both students at St. Andrew’s.

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Prince William (2003)

Prince William (2003) — Prince William lies on a beach in Scotland. William looked very hip in a red sweater and cuffed jeans as he lounged on a sand dune.

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Prince William at University of St. Andrew’s (2004)

Prince William at University of St. Andrew’s (2004) — Prince William writing in a notebook at St. Andrew’s. William and Kate Middleton dated throughout university and for a few years after, until they broke up in 2007. At the time, William asked the paparazzi to give her some space and privacy, according to CTV. Despite their brief split, the couple got back together shortly after and married in 2010.

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