The Duke of Cambridge is celebrating his 40th birthday
(Picture: SplashNews.com)Behind Prince William’s warm smile is a steely determination not to let himself, his family, or his country down.
He takes duty seriously and, increasingly, his grandmother the Queen and father Prince Charles turn to him for his thoughts on matters of the day. His strong positions on keeping Prince Andrew out of the royal fold and how to manage the Harry and Meghan situation have been firm, but many would say fair.
He knows that he must eventually develop the role of king and embrace the role his way, the Cambridge way. William realises that to stay relevant the monarchy must adapt with the times, to modernise, and he has already made it more emotionally open.
His wife Kate — his greatest asset — is often seen discussing his latest speech before he is called to deliver on any royal tour. When the time comes, King William V and Queen Catherine will be a dynamic royal couple, devoted to each other, the monarchy and their people.
Calm and balanced in public, the Duke of Cambridge is an intensely private man who guards his personal life keenly.
But his work too on the environment through his Earthshot Prize, and the way he presents it on television, has shown his versatility and ability to listen to and learn from others. As well as being passionate about the environment and sustainability, he has devoted time and energy to saving endangered species. His determination to end the illegal ivory trade and his work with the charity Tusk has been commendable. That said, he has made it clear that he doesn’t want to be just a figurehead; he wants to find real solutions to the problems facing us and the animals that share our planet.
Along with Kate, William has shown his humanity and compassion. A kind man, his campaigns supporting mental health charities have made great strides in trying to end the stigma surrounding mental illness and depression.
In private, however, William can be sensitive and some say tricky, with a short fuse — particularly when it comes to issues regarding his family. He has been known to snap at the press if he feels they are breaching his family’s privacy. Even senior members of his circle will check which way the wind is blowing with William before raising problematic issues. As in any marriage, William and Kate are known to have differences from time to time, but she is a calming influence on him.
William above all is a doer, and rarely dwells on situations he is not able to change. He is somebody who rises to the challenge. One cannot help but admire his list of accomplishments, such as learning to fly, and the way he has coped with obstacles and emotional traumas in his life.
Without doubt he has developed into a focused and accomplished individual, with a broad spectrum of interests — and a confidence that befits his current role and that of monarch which lies ahead of him.
