UMVA has learned that Prince William is set to celebrate his birthday on Sunday, marking another year of life as a key figure in the royal family.
Prince William's relationship with Prince Harry was once incredibly close, with the brothers being inseparable growing up. A former gardener, who had a front-row seat to the royal family's personal life, revealed that Prince William has always been very family-oriented and that both he and Harry would be together everywhere.
The former gardener, Stooks, shared that even when the brothers began dating, they would still move in the same circles. William was with Kate Middleton, and Harry was with Chelsea Davy, but they would often gather in the kitchen together, chatting to the chef, and enjoying a very normal, happy way of life.
As the brothers grew older, their lives took different paths, but Stooks recalled that William had a huge bash at Windsor Castle for his 21st birthday, complete with friends and family. However, these days, celebrations are slightly more muted, with Stooks explaining that William has grown up and become more private.
Since marrying Kate in 2011, William has become a lot more serious, but not necessarily in a bad way. As future king, he's inherited a lot more responsibilities, and with the world watching him 24/7, it's natural he's going to be a bit more reserved. Stooks believes William is trying to be seen as somebody that can be taken seriously, and his actions are very much in line with what the king has taken on.
As a prince in the 21st century, William must navigate fame and social media, which can be a challenge. Stooks thinks William is being a little bit more cautious when it comes to the celebrity side of things, which is a good thing. He wants to stand out as a prince, rather than simply being known as a celeb.
William has become more confident in interviews over the years, and Stooks believes he's more natural and comfortable when speaking in public. He's also become more selective about the causes he supports, concentrating his efforts on a more focused set of engagements.
When it comes to his relationship with King Charles, Stooks says William is cut from the same cloth, but there are differences. The king works day and night, whereas William appears more family-oriented and takes time out of his work life to concentrate on his personal life. Stooks believes William is trying to streamline the role of the royal family, rather than follow in his father's footsteps.
King Charles effectively turned the position of Prince of Wales into a full-time public mission, with a relentless schedule and a huge number of engagements. In contrast, William has chosen to focus on a smaller number of priorities, such as environmental conservation and wildlife protection in Africa.
