Prince William turns 40: what did he look like at 20, before dating Kate Middleton? (Pictures)

• Prince William celebrates his 40th birthday on June 21, 2022
• He met Kate Middleton 20 years ago
• A look back at the Duke of Cambridge’s journey before this encounter that changed his life

New decade. Royal anniversaries never end and after Kate Middleton’s 40th birthday celebrated in January 2022 then Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee which marked her 70 years of reign – a first in the history of the British crown – it is now the turn of prince William to blow out his candles. The Duke of Cambridge was born on June 21, 1982 at St Mary’s Hospital in London and celebrates its 40th anniversary on June 21. On this occasion, a special gift is reserved for him. Indeed to mark this new decade in which he is embarking, Prince William saw the birth a special £5 coin made in his likeness. The coin, published by the Royal Mint, features a portrait of the second heir to the throne and the words “HRH The Duke of Cambridge”. This is the first time he has appeared alone on a play since on other occasions he was accompanied by his wife Kate Middleton.

It was in 2002 that Prince William officially approached Catherine Middleton, although they had met at the University of St Andrews in 2001. Both students, the Duke of Cambridge began to really get to know his future wife after a charity fashion show. Roommates, Kate and William then got closer to formalize their relationship shortly after. However, it will take wait until 2010 and a safari in Kenya for Prince William to propose to her. After an engagement that delighted fans of the royal family, it was on April 29, 2011 that the couple would end up getting married at Westminster Abbey.

A sabbatical year for his 20th birthday

Before all of this happened, young Prince William tried to lead as normal an existence and schooling as possible. During his late teens, a deal had in fact been made with the press in order to prevent the paparazzi from invading Prince William’s private life and disturbing him during his studies. After having obtained its A-levels, the equivalent of the baccalaureate, the Duke of Cambridge has decided to take a year off to participate in training in Belize with the British Army. In the year of his 20th birthday, he also gave lessons to children in Chile and volunteered as a radio presenter. A busy year at the end of which he enrolled at the University of St Andrews in 2001 where, a few months later, he met Kate Middleton.