Penny Junor: Prince William

Walking behind the Queen Mother’s coffin must have brought back painful memories.

The dress. Kate Middleton at a charity fashion show at the students’ union in St Andrews in March 2002. William, sitting at the end of the catwalk, had a good view.

William and Kate had plenty of interests and activities in common. Skiing was just one of them.

The photo call that made the tabloids think he might not go into the Army after all but was destined to become a farmer.

They share a love of the countryside and one day William will inherit the Duchy of Cornwall – about 130,000 acres, mostly in the West Country and much of it farmland.

He took his studies seriously and came away with a respectable 2.1 in Geography.

He quickly became a member of the University water polo team.

A very proud grandmother in St Andrews on graduation day, June 2005.

The annual skiing trip was always one of the high spots of the year - once the dreaded photocall was over.

Kate was much less nervous than William about graduation day. She got a 2.1 in History of Art.

Charles and Camilla leaving St George’s Chapel, Windsor in April 2005. Man and wife thirty years after they first fell in love.

What mattered to William was that his father was finally happy.

Sovereign’s Parade with a difference. William’s Passing Out ceremony from Sandhurst in December 2006.

The family together for Harry’s Passing Out parade at Sandhurst in April 2006. Granny and Grandpa have been central figures for both Princes – each one dispensing their own brand of guidance, humour and affection.

Training with mountain rescue in Snowdonia. He was tempted by the service but helicopters won the day.

Laying a wreath at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Day 2008. Like the rest of the family, he cares passionately about the welfare of members of the Armed Forces and their families.

With his fellow graduates at RAF Cranwell in April 2008, having been presented with his wings by his father, the Air Chief Marshal.

Flying was very much in the blood.

Showing his grandmother how he spends the day when she visited RAF Valley in April 2011. They had been in weekly contact over his wedding plans.

Carole and Michael Middleton at their home in Bucklebury on the day of the engagement, November 16, 2011. William adores them and their home is an oasis of normality in his very abnormal world.

‘Is that you, Ian?’

By giving Kate his mother’s sapphire and diamond engagement ring, William said he hoped to include her in all the fun and excitement.

Always happy to have a go when it’s for a good cause…training with five-to-eleven year olds in Newcastle; and taking part in a thousand-mile off-road motorbike ride in South Africa.

William specifically asked to go to New Zealand and Australia after a series of disasters in 2011 just a month before his wedding. The Queen wrote to congratulate him.

William and Kate’s wedding day. ‘What we want,’ said William, ‘is a day that is as enjoyable as possible for as many people as possible.’