Behold: 33 Iconic Photos of Prince William Through the Years
In honor of the Duke of Cambridge's 37th birthday, let's take a walk down memory lane.
I considered naming this compilation "33 Times Prince William Was Extremely Hot," because, well, Prince William is ridiculously hot. To celebrate the Duke of Cambridge's 37th birthday, I combed through every photo of the prince since 1982 to prove that William is not only the caring father, fierce humanitarian, and strong leader-in-training that we know and love today, but he's also (quite possibly) the prettiest royal the world has ever seen. My thoughts go out to Prince Harry in this trying time.
1985
Here, the little prince cheeses with a one-year-old Harry on his shoulders. Although the two aren't exactly spitting images of each other today, William's blonde hair and gingham shirt give off major Prince George vibes.
1987
Two years later, William is spotted en route to his first day at the exclusive Wetherby School. A classically chic Princess Diana nudges the little guy along.
1988
At the 1988 Trooping the Colour, William was the epitome of royal children—the bored-as-heck six-year-old shielded his eyes as parents Charles and Diana looked on.
1999
On this blessed day, a then-17-year-old Prince William posed for a photo-op after driving in front of paparazzi for the very first time. William drove through the gravel driveway at Highgrove (Prince Charles’ Gloucestershire home) to the thrill of onlookers. “He’s going very well,” Charles told BBC of the new driver’s skill.
2003
William cracked a joke with the Queen and Harry at Trooping the Colour in 2003. What did he say to make the matriarch flash that little grin? I for one hope it had something to do with the Queen’s bright-blue ensemble.
2004
And, now, a photo of Prince William with a sheep, because why not. In 2004, the prince frolicked through his farm at Gloucestershire and made friends with a very lucky animal.
2005
In 2005, William and Kate posed for quite possibly the sweetest photo of all time during their graduation ceremony at St. Andrew’s University. Although the couple was going strong at the time, their graduation marked the beginning of a rocky time for William and Kate. When the duo later went public with their post-grad relationship, Kate was overwhelmed by the paparazzi.
2007
In 2007, William and Kate giggled as they watched the RBS Six Nations Championship in London. Please note the ultimate third wheel on the left: Prince Harry kept to himself with a pair of headphones for most of the game.
2010
In 2010, Kate and William decided they were in it for the long haul. William popped the question with the same ring Prince Charles gave to Diana, a 12-carat sapphire ring that’s valued around $500,000 today.
2011
Before there was the craze of Meghan and Harry’s royal wedding, it was all about William and Kate’s. On April 29, 2011 the couple became the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge after their iconic ceremony at Westminster Abbey. A pair of ridiculously cute flower girls (one stoked and one grumpy) framed William and Kate for an epic kiss.
2013
On July 23, 2013 William and Kate welcomed their first child into the world, Prince George of Cambridge. Here, the new dad holds his baby in front of the public for the very first time.
2015
Don’t be fooled—the royal wave takes practice. In 2015, William taught Prince George the basics outside of St. Mary’s Hospital (where Kate had just given birth to the couple’s first girl, Princess Charlotte of Cambridge).
2018
George and William struck a pose on the little prince’s first day of school at Thomas’s Battersea in 2018. Although George looks cool and collected, things got a little emotional when he arrived at the school’s gates.
2018
On April 23, 2018, Kate gave birth to the couple’s third child, Prince Louis of Cambridge. Here, the parents pose for photos outside of St. Mary’s Hospital with their newest little guy.
2018
As Prince Harry waited for bride Meghan Markle to arrive, William appeared to make it his personal mission to make his brother smile. The duo were pictured cracking jokes at the altar.
2018
As George and his cousin Savannah Phillips messed around during Trooping the Colour 2018, Prince William flashed his son an all-too-familiar dad glare. Has Will forgotten his days as a royal tyke? Maybe.
2019
Proud papa Prince William couldn't help but crack at smile at the grumpy look on Prince Louis' face at this year's Trooping the Colour. The royal baby mean mug must run in the family.
Happy birthday, Prince William!
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