Becoming a father for the first time:
On 22 July 2013 Prince William's world was changed forever when he and the Duchess of Cambridge, née Kate Middleton, welcomed their little bundle of joy into the world. Weighing 8lb 6oz, Prince George was born at 4:24pm in the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital, Paddington. First-time father William got stuck into daddy duties immediately, changing his son's first nappy. He later went on to tell how the "little rascal" had changed him, telling an interviewer: "A lot of things affect me differently now."
Going back to school:
In January 2014 William was all smiles when he arrived at Cambridge University to start a ten-week course in agricultural management. The course was specifically tailored for him, and will no doubt put him in good stead for his future role of running the Duchy of Cornwall — a portfolio of land, property and investments he will inherit from his father Prince Charles. The young Prince lived part-time in Cambridge while he studied alongside select PhD students, and occasionally travelled to London to keep up his royal duties.
Leaving his job and Anglesey:
In September, the British royal announced that he had decided to leave the Armed Forces to focus on his royal duties and his charity work.
A statement from Kensington Palace confirmed that the Duke of Cambridge would leave the military after seven and a half years of service, three years of which he served as a search and rescue pilot. In leaving the role with the RAF, it meant that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their son Prince George would also be leaving the Welsh town of Anglesey which they had called home for nearly eight years, and moving back to London.
© Photo: Getty ImagesTaking the salute at the Beating Retreat for the first time:
In June at the annual Beating Retreat, the Prince took the salute for the first time. The Duke has attended the bi-annual two-day event from a young age but has but has never before taken the salute – which is when a senior officer or VIP formally acknowledges a salute given by troops. William beamed from the platform as he watched the ceremony. Addressing the performers and spectators he spoke of his pride at seeing the age-old event in his military capacity. "As Colonel of the Irish Guards I am delighted to support the Household Division Beating Retreat," he said.
Taking on more royal duties and becoming a public face to many charities:
The Duke took the spotlight in February as he attended a symposium and gave a speech about the fight against illegal wildlife trafficking. The Prince described United for Wildlife – the partnership that is made up of seven wildlife charities – as a "powerful alliance" and called on the audience to join them in their bid to stop trafficking against elephants, rhinos, tigers and other endangered animals. He also made a surprise appearance with his brother, Prince Harry, to help the victims of the terrible floods which damaged large areas of the country early in 2014.
