--- type: figure_profile lang: en subtype: monarca canonical: https://www.politicaelectoral.com/en/great-britain/public-figures/prince-william name: William, Prince of Wales updated_at: 2026-05-03T12:11:30 data_crc: b775ceb6 --- William, Prince of Wales, born in 1982, is the elder son of King Charles III and the first in line to the British throne. As **Prince of Wales** and heir apparent, he occupies a central place in the constitutional and public life of the United Kingdom, with duties that combine royal representation, charitable work, and preparation for future kingship. ## Professional career William Arthur Philip Louis was born on 21 June 1982 at St Mary’s Hospital, London, to the then Prince and Princess of Wales, later King Charles III and Diana, Princess of Wales. He was educated at Ludgrove School, Eton College, and the University of St Andrews, where he studied geography and graduated in 2005. At St Andrews he met Catherine Middleton, whom he married in 2011. Following university, William undertook military training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He later served in the armed forces, including as a **search-and-rescue pilot** with the Royal Air Force at RAF Valley in Anglesey and earlier with the Royal Air Force Search and Rescue Force. He left full-time military service in 2013 and subsequently concentrated on royal duties and public work. In 2011, following his marriage, he was created **Duke of Cambridge**, a title he held until 2022. On 8 September 2022, after the accession of his father to the throne, he became **Prince of Wales**, a title traditionally granted to the heir apparent. He has also used other subsidiary titles associated with the duchy of Cornwall and the peerage of the heir, where applicable. His public work has included patronage and involvement with organisations focused on conservation, mental health, homelessness, emergency services, youth opportunities, and early childhood. He has also developed and supported initiatives connected with environmental sustainability and public awareness through programmes such as the Earthshot Prize, launched in 2020. ## Institutional role Under the UK’s constitutional monarchy, the Prince of Wales has **no formal governing powers** in the way ministers or elected office-holders do. His role is defined by constitutional convention and royal practice rather than by a single statute. The title of Prince of Wales is not governed by a dedicated modern act setting out executive powers; instead, it is part of the royal framework within which the sovereign exercises constitutional authority. As heir apparent, William’s institutional function is to support the monarchy, represent the Crown on public occasions, and prepare for future accession. Since 2022 he has been the senior royal after the monarch in the line of succession. His status is also linked to the **Duchy of Cornwall**, which traditionally provides income and responsibilities to the heir to the throne. The Duchy of Cornwall is regulated by a series of statutes and legal instruments, including the **Duchy of Cornwall Management Act 1863** and the **Duchy of Cornwall Act 1968**, which shape the management of the duchy’s estate and finances. William’s relationship with the state is defined by constitutional neutrality. He does not intervene in party politics and is expected to act above party contestation. His public engagements involve national institutions, local government, the armed forces, public services, and charitable bodies. He meets heads of government and other office-holders in ceremonial and constitutional settings, but does not direct policy. He also carries out engagements on behalf of the Crown across the United Kingdom, including in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, reflecting the UK’s territorial and constitutional structure. Milestones in his institutional period include his creation as Prince of Wales in 2022, his continued assumption of wider representational duties after the death of Queen Elizabeth II, and the increasing prominence of his role in charitable and civic life as heir to the throne. His role is also shaped by the expectation that he will preserve continuity within the monarchy while remaining constitutionally impartial. ## Frequently asked questions **Who is William, Prince of Wales?** He is the elder son of King Charles III and the current heir apparent to the British throne. He is the senior non-reigning member of the royal family and performs public duties on behalf of the Crown. **When did he become Prince of Wales?** He was created Prince of Wales in 2022, after the accession of his father to the throne. He had previously held the title Duke of Cambridge from 2011 to 2022. **Does William have any political power?** No. Under the UK constitutional system, he has no executive or legislative authority. His role is ceremonial, representational and preparatory, rather than political. **What military service did he do?** William trained at Sandhurst and served in the British armed forces. He worked as a search-and-rescue pilot with the Royal Air Force before leaving full-time military service in 2013. **What is the Duchy of Cornwall?** The Duchy of Cornwall is a landed estate historically associated with the heir to the throne. It provides income and supports certain official responsibilities, and its management is governed by law.