Prince William: love, loss, and new looks over the years

Early days, On the field, Hammer time, Team players, Grinning for the cameras, Wrapped up, Final days, Bon appetit, Happy as can be, Among the stars, A man in uniform, Slithering around, A day to remember, A new arrival, Father and son, All wrapped up!, Got their heads together, Welcoming Prince Louis, Brothers in arms, Big happy family

There's no one quite like Prince William. Born a royal, he has lived quite a dramatic life under the careful watch of nearly the entire world. He's done extensive work abroad, served in the military, became a full-time pilot, launched numerous humanitarian endeavors, and he has taken us along a fairy-tale love story all the way into the kingdom of fatherhood.

The Prince of Wales has not had the easiest life, however, especially having lost his mother when he was just a teenager. Growing up is hard enough without having to endure the grief that comes with losing one of the few people who could provide solace among the crazy, highly publicized life of a royal. That being said, it's been incredible watching William grow up and mature right before our eyes.

The prince’s private life became a hot topic of tabloid speculation, particularly around his relationship with Kate Middleton during university. The two of them have had enough headlines to their name to last a lifetime, perhaps rivaled only by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

Over the years, William has gone from teenage heartthrob to father and role model, with numerous humanitarian efforts and expressions of his values that will surely leave a commendable legacy behind.

In this gallery, take a look back at the inspiring life of Prince William, first in line to the throne, but already king of our hearts.

Early days

Early days, On the field, Hammer time, Team players, Grinning for the cameras, Wrapped up, Final days, Bon appetit, Happy as can be, Among the stars, A man in uniform, Slithering around, A day to remember, A new arrival, Father and son, All wrapped up!, Got their heads together, Welcoming Prince Louis, Brothers in arms, Big happy family

Young William looks on as Diana holds a playful Prince Harry in 1988.

On the field

Early days, On the field, Hammer time, Team players, Grinning for the cameras, Wrapped up, Final days, Bon appetit, Happy as can be, Among the stars, A man in uniform, Slithering around, A day to remember, A new arrival, Father and son, All wrapped up!, Got their heads together, Welcoming Prince Louis, Brothers in arms, Big happy family

Prince William dribbles a ball during a match at Eton College in 2000. He turned 18 that year.

Hammer time

Early days, On the field, Hammer time, Team players, Grinning for the cameras, Wrapped up, Final days, Bon appetit, Happy as can be, Among the stars, A man in uniform, Slithering around, A day to remember, A new arrival, Father and son, All wrapped up!, Got their heads together, Welcoming Prince Louis, Brothers in arms, Big happy family

William visited Chile in 2000. Here he is hammering a log to build connecting walkways.

Team players

Early days, On the field, Hammer time, Team players, Grinning for the cameras, Wrapped up, Final days, Bon appetit, Happy as can be, Among the stars, A man in uniform, Slithering around, A day to remember, A new arrival, Father and son, All wrapped up!, Got their heads together, Welcoming Prince Louis, Brothers in arms, Big happy family

The royal brothers, Harry and William, prepare for a polo match in Gloucestershire.

Grinning for the cameras

Early days, On the field, Hammer time, Team players, Grinning for the cameras, Wrapped up, Final days, Bon appetit, Happy as can be, Among the stars, A man in uniform, Slithering around, A day to remember, A new arrival, Father and son, All wrapped up!, Got their heads together, Welcoming Prince Louis, Brothers in arms, Big happy family

William rides with Prince Andrew during the Queen’s Golden Jubilee in 2002.

Wrapped up

Early days, On the field, Hammer time, Team players, Grinning for the cameras, Wrapped up, Final days, Bon appetit, Happy as can be, Among the stars, A man in uniform, Slithering around, A day to remember, A new arrival, Father and son, All wrapped up!, Got their heads together, Welcoming Prince Louis, Brothers in arms, Big happy family

Charles and William reunite in Switzerland for their annual skiing holiday.

Final days

Early days, On the field, Hammer time, Team players, Grinning for the cameras, Wrapped up, Final days, Bon appetit, Happy as can be, Among the stars, A man in uniform, Slithering around, A day to remember, A new arrival, Father and son, All wrapped up!, Got their heads together, Welcoming Prince Louis, Brothers in arms, Big happy family

Here he is snapped at his university, St Andrews, before his graduation.

Bon appetit

Early days, On the field, Hammer time, Team players, Grinning for the cameras, Wrapped up, Final days, Bon appetit, Happy as can be, Among the stars, A man in uniform, Slithering around, A day to remember, A new arrival, Father and son, All wrapped up!, Got their heads together, Welcoming Prince Louis, Brothers in arms, Big happy family

Harry wolfs down a burger while William stays focused during a rugby match in Twickenham.

Happy as can be

Early days, On the field, Hammer time, Team players, Grinning for the cameras, Wrapped up, Final days, Bon appetit, Happy as can be, Among the stars, A man in uniform, Slithering around, A day to remember, A new arrival, Father and son, All wrapped up!, Got their heads together, Welcoming Prince Louis, Brothers in arms, Big happy family

William grins in military gear at the Sovereign's Parade at Sandhurst.

Among the stars

Early days, On the field, Hammer time, Team players, Grinning for the cameras, Wrapped up, Final days, Bon appetit, Happy as can be, Among the stars, A man in uniform, Slithering around, A day to remember, A new arrival, Father and son, All wrapped up!, Got their heads together, Welcoming Prince Louis, Brothers in arms, Big happy family

The brothers share a moment with rapper Kanye West at the Concert For Diana in 2007 at Wembley Stadium.

A man in uniform

Early days, On the field, Hammer time, Team players, Grinning for the cameras, Wrapped up, Final days, Bon appetit, Happy as can be, Among the stars, A man in uniform, Slithering around, A day to remember, A new arrival, Father and son, All wrapped up!, Got their heads together, Welcoming Prince Louis, Brothers in arms, Big happy family

William trains with the Royal Navy in Dartmouth.

Slithering around

Early days, On the field, Hammer time, Team players, Grinning for the cameras, Wrapped up, Final days, Bon appetit, Happy as can be, Among the stars, A man in uniform, Slithering around, A day to remember, A new arrival, Father and son, All wrapped up!, Got their heads together, Welcoming Prince Louis, Brothers in arms, Big happy family

William and Harry play with a python during a visit to Botswana in 2010.

A day to remember

Early days, On the field, Hammer time, Team players, Grinning for the cameras, Wrapped up, Final days, Bon appetit, Happy as can be, Among the stars, A man in uniform, Slithering around, A day to remember, A new arrival, Father and son, All wrapped up!, Got their heads together, Welcoming Prince Louis, Brothers in arms, Big happy family

The royal couple tie the knot at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011.

A new arrival

Early days, On the field, Hammer time, Team players, Grinning for the cameras, Wrapped up, Final days, Bon appetit, Happy as can be, Among the stars, A man in uniform, Slithering around, A day to remember, A new arrival, Father and son, All wrapped up!, Got their heads together, Welcoming Prince Louis, Brothers in arms, Big happy family

The then-Duke and Duchess of Cambridge welcome their first child, Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge.

Father and son

Early days, On the field, Hammer time, Team players, Grinning for the cameras, Wrapped up, Final days, Bon appetit, Happy as can be, Among the stars, A man in uniform, Slithering around, A day to remember, A new arrival, Father and son, All wrapped up!, Got their heads together, Welcoming Prince Louis, Brothers in arms, Big happy family

William holds George’s hand during the christening of his second child, Princess Charlotte, at the Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham Estate.

All wrapped up!

Early days, On the field, Hammer time, Team players, Grinning for the cameras, Wrapped up, Final days, Bon appetit, Happy as can be, Among the stars, A man in uniform, Slithering around, A day to remember, A new arrival, Father and son, All wrapped up!, Got their heads together, Welcoming Prince Louis, Brothers in arms, Big happy family

The happy family pose during a skiing trip in 2016.

Got their heads together

Early days, On the field, Hammer time, Team players, Grinning for the cameras, Wrapped up, Final days, Bon appetit, Happy as can be, Among the stars, A man in uniform, Slithering around, A day to remember, A new arrival, Father and son, All wrapped up!, Got their heads together, Welcoming Prince Louis, Brothers in arms, Big happy family

William, Kate, and Harry look on during an event in London where they launched plans for the charity Heads Together.

Welcoming Prince Louis

Early days, On the field, Hammer time, Team players, Grinning for the cameras, Wrapped up, Final days, Bon appetit, Happy as can be, Among the stars, A man in uniform, Slithering around, A day to remember, A new arrival, Father and son, All wrapped up!, Got their heads together, Welcoming Prince Louis, Brothers in arms, Big happy family

The couple posed in front of the famed Lindo Wing a third time in April 2018, welcoming a tiny Prince Louis.

Brothers in arms

Early days, On the field, Hammer time, Team players, Grinning for the cameras, Wrapped up, Final days, Bon appetit, Happy as can be, Among the stars, A man in uniform, Slithering around, A day to remember, A new arrival, Father and son, All wrapped up!, Got their heads together, Welcoming Prince Louis, Brothers in arms, Big happy family

William stood as best man at his brother's wedding to Meghan Markle.

Big happy family

Early days, On the field, Hammer time, Team players, Grinning for the cameras, Wrapped up, Final days, Bon appetit, Happy as can be, Among the stars, A man in uniform, Slithering around, A day to remember, A new arrival, Father and son, All wrapped up!, Got their heads together, Welcoming Prince Louis, Brothers in arms, Big happy family

The royal family creates an adorably realistic scene during the famous Trooping the Colour portraits in June 2019. 

Post Related