Prince William is 42 years old as of April 2025. He was born on June 21, 1982, at St. Mary’s Hospital in London, making him a Cancer zodiac sign. This comprehensive guide answers every question about the Prince of Wales’s age, from his exact birth time to his age at key royal milestones. You’ll learn how his age compares to Kate Middleton’s, when he’ll turn 43, and what major life events happened at each age—from his first royal engagement to becoming heir apparent. Whether you’re planning a birthday tribute or simply curious, we’ve compiled all the facts about Prince William’s age, including anticipated future ages when he might become king.
Exact Age Breakdown: Years, Months, Days
Prince William’s age can be measured with pinpoint precision. Born at 9:03 p.m. BST on June 21, 1982, he turned 42 on June 21, 2024. As of mid-April 2025, he has been alive for more than 15,600 days. That translates to 42 years, 9 months, and roughly 24 days, or over 374,000 hours. The exact number of days shifts by the date, but for anyone who needs a hard figure, on April 14, 2025, the prince was 15,636 days old. His birth time was recorded in the Lindo Wing of St. Mary’s Hospital, and the announcement placed him second in line to the British throne behind his father, King Charles III. Using standard leap-year calculations, William has experienced 11 leap years since birth, adding 11 extra days to his life total compared with non–leap year counts.
When his next birthday arrives, he will be 43. That means his 43rd year of life begins on June 21, 2025. For anyone who wonders “how old is Prince William in months,” the answer in April 2025 is 513 months. This level of detail matters for astrologers, birthday planners, and those timing official celebrations. The royal family typically marks his birthday privately, but the public spotlight on his age intensifies each year as he edges closer to kingship. Precision about his age also helps frame how rapidly the monarchy is transitioning: William is the oldest heir apparent in British history at the time of his father’s accession, a fact that colors every discussion of his age and future role.
Prince William’s Current Age
At this moment, Prince William is 42 years old, comfortably settled into his forties as Prince of Wales. He has held that title since September 2022, when his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II died and his father became king. His current age places him in a distinct life phase: he is a father of three, a senior working royal, and the manager of the billion-pound Duchy of Cornwall estate. Physically, he stands 6 feet 3 inches tall and maintains a slim, athletic build, often carrying himself with the posture of a former military officer. His appearance at 42 shows the slim, slightly receding hairline that has become part of his public image, but he remains energetic and actively involved in royal engagements numbering well over 400 per year.
Reaching 42 also means William has now spent more than half his life as the heir to the heir—first behind his father Charles, and now directly behind him as first in line. He has lived through the entirety of the modern media age, from infancy paparazzi photos to curated Instagram posts. At 42, he is more than two decades into full-time public life, having launched his first charitable patronages in his early twenties. The number 42 itself carries subtle weight: it is the age at which his own father, then Prince Charles, saw his marriage to Princess Diana officially end in divorce in 1996, though William’s path could hardly be more different. Today, his age represents stability, continuity, and the mature phase of his preparation for the throne.
Birth Date and Birthplace
Prince William Arthur Philip Louis was born at St. Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, London, on June 21, 1982. He is the firstborn son of Charles, then Prince of Wales, and Diana, Princess of Wales. The birth occurred in the hospital’s private Lindo Wing, a location that later became iconic for royal births after Diana chose it to break with the tradition of home births at Buckingham Palace. William’s arrival was widely celebrated: gun salutes were fired in Hyde Park and the Tower of London, and the British populace saw the newborn prince as a shining beacon for the monarchy’s future.
His birthplace is significant not just as a physical address but as a statement of modernization. By giving birth in a hospital rather than a palace, Diana signaled a more relatable approach to motherhood. The exact room was a suite on the fourth floor, and the medical team included the Queen’s gynecologist, Sir George Pinker. William weighed 7 pounds 1.5 ounces at birth. His full name was announced a week later, blending royal heritage (William is a name with deep British royal roots, going back to William the Conqueror) with the personal touches of Arthur, Philip, and Louis. The date June 21 is also the summer solstice, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, an auspicious coincidence that astrologers note for his Cancer sun sign.
Zodiac Sign and Astrology
Prince William is a Cancer sun sign, born on the cusp hours after the solstice. Cancers are typically described as nurturing, protective, and deeply tied to home and family—traits that observably align with his public persona as a devoted father and husband. His moon sign, based on a 9:03 p.m. birth time, is in Cancer as well, which astrologers say intensifies his emotional sensitivity and attachment to domestic security. His rising sign is Sagittarius, which adds a layer of optimism, outdoor adventure, and a questing spirit visible in his love of sports and military flying.
Professional royal astrologers have occasionally pointed to William’s natal chart as that of a caregiver who balances duty with a need for emotional authenticity. The Cancer–Sagittarius combination suggests someone who feels deeply but projects confidence and worldliness. In the context of age, his solar return each June re-energizes his drive for family bonding and personal reflection. William’s age milestones often coincide with major transits, according to astrological enthusiasts: for example, his Saturn return around age 29—the period of his marriage to Kate Middleton—marked a profound settling into adult responsibility. Whether or not one believes in astrology, the date of his birth and his zodiac profile remain among the most-searched details when people ask “how old is Prince William” along with his sign.
Age at Key Royal Milestones
William’s age has acted as a silent clock ticking alongside every major royal event. He was 15 years old when his mother, Princess Diana, died in a Paris car crash on August 31, 1997. He turned 18 in 2000, reaching legal adulthood and taking on his first solo public engagements, though he remained shielded from full-time duties while pursuing education. At 23, he graduated from the University of St Andrews with a Master of Arts in Geography, becoming the most academically qualified heir to the throne in British history at that time. His 28th year in 2011 brought his globally watched wedding to Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey, where an estimated two billion people saw him exchange vows.
At 30, he became a father for the first time when Prince George was born on July 22, 2013. That milestone shifted his public image from prince to parent. At 40, in September 2022, the death of his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II made him the Prince of Wales and heir apparent to the throne held by his father. That same year, he and Catherine moved their primary residence to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor, signaling a new geographical and symbolic chapter. Turning 40, he had officially spent exactly four decades as a senior royal in waiting. Each of these ages serves as a living timeline for how the monarchy itself has evolved under public watch.
William vs. Kate: Age Gap and Comparison
Prince William is exactly 6 months older than his wife, Catherine, Princess of Wales. Kate was born on January 9, 1982, while William followed on June 21, 1982. This means they are the same age for roughly half of each year, and William becomes a year older than Kate from June 21 to January 9. In 2025, William is 42 while Kate is 43, because she already had her birthday in January and will remain a year older until William turns 43 on June 21. That small half-year gap makes them an unusually well-matched pair in terms of life stage, having attended different colleges until meeting at St Andrews in 2001 when both were 19.
Their similarity in age contributed to a natural friendship and partnership that unfolded over a long dating period. They both entered their twenties together, navigated media scrutiny in their mid-twenties, and married at 28 (William) and 29 (Kate). Their shared generational perspective—both were born in the early 1980s—shapes their approach to parenting, technology, and mental health advocacy. This near-identical age has also meant that key relationship milestones happened when both were at compatible emotional and professional stages, which many royal commentators view as a cornerstone of their stable marriage.
How Old Was Prince William When…? Important Historical Ages
To understand William’s age narrative, consider pivotal “How old was he when…” moments. He was 10 when his parents separated in December 1992, an event that deeply affected his childhood. At 13, he entered Eton College, becoming the first senior royal to attend the school. At 15, he faced the death of his mother; at the funeral, he walked behind her coffin with his brother Harry, an image seared into public memory. He was 18 when he completed his final year of schooling and took a gap year in Chile, Belize, and Africa, famously scrubbing toilets and working on conservation projects.
At 19, he began studying at the University of St Andrews, where he initially enrolled in Art History before switching to Geography. At 21, he received a royal trust fund and was granted his official coat of arms, marking his financial independence from the sovereign grant. At 23, he graduated with a 2:1 and later that year spent time learning land management. At 24, he entered the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, and at 25 he was commissioned as an army officer in the Blues and Royals. At 26, he received his RAF wings after completing pilot training, fulfilling a personal dream. At 27, he announced his engagement to Kate Middleton in November 2010. At 28, he married. At 30, he welcomed his first child, and at 31 his second, Princess Charlotte. At 35, his third child Prince Louis was born. At 40, he became Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall. Each age stands as a marker of identity, duty, and loss.
Complete Life Timeline by Age
Age 0–10: Birth to Tragedy
Prince William was born into a nation celebrating a new heir. His first year was spent in the public eye, with an official christening on August 4, 1982, in the Music Room of Buckingham Palace. By age 2, he had accompanied his parents on an official tour to Australia and New Zealand, a trip that cemented his status as a global child icon. At age 3, he started nursery at Jane Mynors’ in London, and by 4 he was enrolled at Wetherby School, a pre-prep in Notting Hill. He then moved to Ludgrove School at age 8, boarding there and showing an early aptitude for sports, particularly football and swimming.
The stable rhythm of his early childhood was fractured when he was 10. In December 1992, his parents announced their separation, a turbulent period that saw the prince navigating two households. Despite the personal strain, his school reports showed him to be a diligent and kind-hearted boy. At 10, he also began to understand the weight of his future role, particularly during public appearances. His mother, Diana, worked hard to give him a taste of normal life—taking him to fast-food restaurants, amusement parks, and homeless shelters—shaping the empathetic outlook that would define his adult charitable work.
Age 11–19: Teenage Years at Eton
At 13, William entered Eton College, a move carefully planned by his parents to give him a well-rounded education with relative privacy. The school’s “no press” understanding meant he could develop away from the worst of the tabloid glare. At Eton, he was known by his housemates as “Wombat” or simply “William Wales.” He excelled at geography, history, and biology, and became captain of the swimming team. His senior years saw him taking A-levels in geography, biology, and history of art, achieving the grades needed for university entrance.
The defining moment of his teenage years came at 15. On August 31, 1997, Diana died in a car crash. William and Harry were at Balmoral Castle in Scotland at the time. The prince’s walk behind the funeral cortege, alongside his brother, grandfather, and uncle, is one of the century’s most poignant images. In the aftermath, he remained largely out of the spotlight, supported by his grandmother and father. By 18, he had completed his Eton education and embarked on a gap year that included jungle training in Belize, community work in Chile, and wildlife conservation in Kenya. These months helped him process grief and build the self-sufficiency that would mark his early adulthood.
Age 20–29: University, Military, and Marriage
William started the University of St Andrews at 19 in the autumn of 2001. Initially, he lived in St Salvator’s Hall and met fellow art history student Catherine Middleton. Their friendship slowly turned romantic, and they moved into a shared student house with friends in their second year. At 21, he celebrated his birthday with an “Out of Africa”–themed party, and the university years saw him frequenting the town’s pubs, playing water polo, and studying geography with a focus on environmental issues. He graduated at 23 in 2005, with his mother’s memory deeply interwoven into his achievement.
Post-university, he moved systematically through military training. At 24, he entered Sandhurst, where he was commissioned as a second lieutenant. He then served in the Household Cavalry’s Blues and Royals, learning armored reconnaissance. At 25, he began RAF flight training, earning his wings at 26 and subsequently flying with the Search and Rescue Force based at RAF Valley in Anglesey, Wales. His time as a rescue helicopter pilot, often flying in treacherous weather to save stranded climbers and swimmers, became a defining professional chapter. At 27, he announced his engagement to Kate, presenting her with his late mother’s sapphire-and-diamond ring. At 28, he married in a globally televised ceremony, receiving the title Duke of Cambridge. By 29, he and Kate carried out royal tours to Canada and California, further cementing their status as the new generation of the monarchy.
Age 30–39: Fatherhood and Full-Time Royal
William entered his thirties as a husband and almost immediately a father. At 30, Prince George arrived. The birth marked the first time in over a century that a direct heir had both parents present from the start, reflecting William’s commitment to a hands-on parenting style. At 31, Princess Charlotte was born, and at 35, Prince Louis completed the young family. During his thirties, William left operational military service, moving entirely into royal duties. He took on hundreds of patronages focusing on mental health, conservation, emergency services, and youth opportunity.
This decade saw him co-found the Heads Together mental health campaign with Kate and Harry in 2016, championing open conversations about emotional well-being. He also became a passionate advocate for tackling illegal wildlife trade and convened global financial institutions through the United for Wildlife taskforce. At 39, he launched the Earthshot Prize, a bold environmental initiative aiming to scale up innovative solutions to planetary challenges. Each year of his thirties was marked by increasing gravitas: he represented the Queen at Commonwealth events, spoke at the United Nations, and gradually assumed the public-facing role of a future king while maintaining boundaries around his children’s privacy. By 39, he was seen as the steady hand preparing for the eventual transition of power.
Age 40–42: Prince of Wales Era
The death of Queen Elizabeth II on September 8, 2022, changed everything. William was 40 years and two months old when he became the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cornwall, and the heir apparent. King Charles III conferred the title in his first televised address, and William immediately inherited the Duchy of Cornwall, a vast estate providing an income of over £24 million a year. The transition meant relocating from Kensington Palace to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor, so the children could attend school close by and the family could enjoy greater normalcy.
At 41, he fully immersed himself in the Duchy’s management, pursuing housing projects to tackle homelessness and sustainable farming on estate lands. His public engagements became even more concentrated on core causes: mental health, early childhood, and the environment. That year he traveled to Singapore for the Earthshot Prize ceremony, demonstrating his global convening power. Now at 42, William is actively modernizing the royal estate, addressing the housing crisis through a planned development in Nansledan, Cornwall, and increasingly standing in for his father at high-profile state events. His forties are shaping up as a period of intense preparation for kingship, all while his children enter their teen and pre-teen years.
Future Age Milestones and Becoming King
William’s age is intrinsically linked to the question of when he will ascend the throne. King Charles III was 73 when he became monarch, making him the oldest person to accede in British history. If Charles lives as long as his mother (96) or father (99), William could be in his late fifties or even sixties by the time he becomes king. Assuming Charles reaches the average life expectancy of a British male royal—which tends to run into the mid-80s—William would be approximately 60 to 65 years old at accession. However, if Charles abdicates or steps back earlier, which remains constitutionally possible though unlikely, William could become king in his 50s.
Looking ahead, his age milestones carry national significance. He will turn 50 on June 21, 2032, an event likely to be marked with major public celebration and perhaps a shift in his official duties as he enters full middle age. At 60, on June 21, 2042, he could well be monarch, giving Britain its first king who grew up in the internet age. At 70, in 2052, Prince George, then 39, would be the heir in waiting, mirroring the long apprenticeship William himself served. Speculating further, if he lives into his 80s, William’s reign might cover the mid-to-late 21st century, making his age a central thread in the monarchy’s long-term future. For now, every birthday he celebrates as Prince of Wales is one year closer to the role he has trained for since birth.
Prince William’s 43rd Birthday 2025 Preview
William turns 43 on Saturday, June 21, 2025. The day falls on a weekend, offering the family a rare opportunity for a private celebration away from official duties. Typically, the senior royals keep birthdays low-key: a family gathering at Anmer Hall in Norfolk or Adelaide Cottage, a homemade cake—often a tradition from Kate—and time spent outdoors with the children. The Queen’s Birthday Parade, Trooping the Colour, takes place a week earlier on June 14, so William’s own day escapes the full glare of public ceremonial.
Publicly, the Royal Family’s social media accounts will post a tribute image, usually a recent informal portrait. Gun salutes in London’s Green Park and at the Tower of London will mark the occasion, as they do for the Prince of Wales’s birthday. While no grand events are scheduled, the milestone could be used to highlight one of his charitable campaigns. At 43, William stands one year further into his trajectory as the future king, and many royal watchers will use the date to reflect on his growing influence. The day also aligns with Father’s Day in some years—though not in 2025—which adds another layer of sentimental public narrative.
Practical Guide: How to See Prince William in Person
Public Events and Annual Appearances
Seeing Prince William in person is possible at several annual public events. The most reliable is Trooping the Colour, held on Horse Guards Parade in central London each June. William rides on horseback in the parade and later appears on the Buckingham Palace balcony with the entire working royal family. Another guaranteed appearance is at the annual Christmas Day church service at St Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, where the royal family walks to the service and often greets well-wishers. Additionally, William and Kate typically attend the Royal Variety Performance, Commonwealth Day services at Westminster Abbey, and memorial events such as Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph. Garden parties at Buckingham Palace and the Palace of Holyroodhouse sometimes feature the Prince of Wales, though attendance is generally by invitation through a public ballot system.
Costs and Tickets
Seeing William at public events like Trooping the Colour or the Sandringham walk is free. Standing along The Mall or at Horse Guards Parade for Trooping requires no ticket, though arriving early is essential to secure a good spot. For the seated stands at Horse Guards Parade, a limited number of tickets are released via a public ballot in the spring, and they are also free but in high demand. Garden party invitations are free but must be applied for through a nomination system involving community organizations, not open general booking. The only potential costs are travel and accommodation, which can be substantial during June events in London.
How to Get There
For Trooping the Colour, the nearest Tube stations are Charing Cross, Westminster, or St James’s Park. Road closures around The Mall begin early, so public transport is the only reliable option. For Sandringham on Christmas Day, the nearest train station is King’s Lynn, roughly a 10-mile taxi or bus ride from the estate. Those driving must use designated parking areas and arrive well before the service time, usually 11:00 a.m. For garden parties at Buckingham Palace, invited guests enter via the north gate on Constitution Hill, accessible from Green Park Tube station.
What to Expect
Crowds at major royal appearances are enthusiastic but orderly. For Trooping, you should expect to stand for several hours and face tight security, including bag checks and barriers. The balcony appearance lasts only about 10 minutes, but you will see William, Kate, and the children clearly from a distance. At Sandringham, the walk is much more intimate: the family often pauses to chat with members of the public and accept flowers. At garden parties, the atmosphere is formal yet relaxed, with tea, cakes, and short interactions with royals who move through the crowd. Expect a memorable, courteous, and heavily managed experience.
Tips for Visitors
Arrive at least two to three hours early for any outdoor public appearance to secure a good viewing spot. Wear weather-appropriate clothing, as you may be standing in sun or rain. Bring a small Union flag if you want to wave on the balcony, but keep bags minimal to speed through security. For Sandringham, treat the walk as a community gathering; locals are friendly, and the late Queen used to greet people there for decades, so there is a strong nostalgic atmosphere. Do not bring large cameras with professional lenses as they can be restricted, and always follow the directions of stewards and police. Respect the fact that the family’s time on the balcony or walk is short, and the rest of the day is a private celebration.
FAQs
How old is Prince William in 2025?
Prince William is 42 years old in 2025 until his birthday on June 21, when he turns 43. He was born in 1982, so his age in any year depends on whether the date is before or after June 21.
What is Prince William’s exact birth date?
He was born on June 21, 1982, at 9:03 p.m. at St. Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, London.
What is Prince William’s zodiac sign?
Prince William is a Cancer. His sun and moon are both in Cancer, and his rising sign is Sagittarius if the recorded birth minute is accurate.
How old was Prince William when his mother Diana died?
He was 15 years old. Princess Diana died on August 31, 1997, and William turned 15 in June of that year.
How old was Prince William when he married Kate Middleton?
He was 28 years old. The wedding took place on April 29, 2011. Kate was 29, having turned 29 a few months earlier in January.
How old is Prince William compared to Kate Middleton?
William is exactly 6 months younger than Kate. She was born on January 9, 1982, and he on June 21, 1982. For half of the year they are the same age, and for the other half Kate is older by one year.
How old was Prince William when he became Prince of Wales?
He was 40 years and two months old. The title was officially conferred by King Charles III on September 9, 2022, one day after Queen Elizabeth II’s death, though the legal transfer of the Duchy of Cornwall happened instantly upon the Queen’s death.
How old will Prince William be when he becomes king?
That entirely depends on when King Charles III dies or abdicates. If Charles lives until his early eighties, William would be around 60 to 65. If history repeats and a monarch lives into their nineties, William could be in his late sixties. There is no set age.
How old was Prince William when he had his first child?
He was 30 years old when Prince George was born on July 22, 2013. He was 31 when Princess Charlotte arrived, and 35 when Prince Louis was born.
How old is Prince William today in months?
As of mid-April 2025, he is 513 months old. This figure changes each month until his birthday.
Is Prince William older than Prince Harry?
Yes. William was born on June 21, 1982, and Harry was born on September 15, 1984. William is slightly more than two years and two months older than his brother.
How old was Prince William when he joined the military?
He began officer training at Sandhurst at age 24 in January 2006 and was commissioned at 25. He then started active service and later flight training.
What age did Prince William start at Eton?
He entered Eton College at age 13 in September 1995 and left at 18 in 2000 after completing his A-levels.
How old was Prince William when he launched the Earthshot Prize?
He was 38 when the prize was first announced in 2019, and 39 when the first awards ceremony took place in 2021. The concept had been in development since his late thirties.
When will Prince William turn 50?
He will turn 50 on June 21, 2032. This significant milestone is expected to be a major public and private celebration.
How old will Prince William be in 2030?
In 2030, Prince William will be 47 or 48, depending on the date. He will turn 48 on June 21 of that year.
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