LONDON: Prince William's 40th birthday this week marks a significant milestone for the future monarch, who is increasingly taking over the British royal family by plotting a course between tradition and modernity.
William's wife, Catherine, celebrated her historic birthday in January and only Queen Elizabeth II is respected more by the public than the close couple, who are often held up as a model for the future of the monarchy. .
According to pollstersYouGov, William, whose birthday is on Tuesday, is the most popular royal behind the Queen, who has an approval rating of 66 percent, followed by Kate at 60 percent.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams said: "This is a very important milestone for him because, along with his father, Prince Charles, he continues to support the Queen, and build an identity as a future King." moving forward as well."
Such is the popularity of William that many people want him to take the leap from his father and become king when his grandmother dies.
Since the 96-year-old sovereign began abdicating his duties last year due to poor health and old age, William, second in line to the throne, has been an increasingly influential figure.
The Duke of Cambridge, as he is officially known, was with his father when the Queen missed the state opening of Parliament in May and also weighed in on important family decisions.
He was reportedly a prime mover in preventing the participation of his scandal-hit uncle Prince Andrew in the traditional Order of the Garter ceremony this month.
"They (William and Kate) are the future of the monarchy," Fitzwilliams said, which was highlighted in the presence of the balcony at the end of the jubilee.
- Central role -
William's time has been devoted to the family since leaving his role as a helicopter ambulance pilot in 2017.
Importantly, he reportedly plans to move out of London's Kensington Palace and into a four-bedroom cottage on the grounds of the Queen's Windsor Castle home, west of London, where she spends most of her time.
Commentators said the move would allow him to come closer to the Queen and cement his role in the family's inner sanctum.
While he is becoming more committed to his royal duties, he is also determined to provide a normal life for his three children – Prince George, aged eight, Princess Charlotte, seven, and Prince Louis, four.
It is partly inspired by his own childhood, which was marked by the trauma of his parents, much public separation and divorce, and the death of his mother Diana in a car accident in 1997 when he was only 15 years old.
His mother's example is evident in his more modern approach, which saw him break with royal fathers' traditions and get his hands dirty by changing nappy, and helping the older two with homework.
The tall, fair, partially bald prince is eager to carry on his mother's legacy of helping even the most vulnerable members of society.
She was seen selling Britain's homeless magazine The Big Issue in London earlier this month, and has spoken frequently on issues such as the environment and mental health, among other things.
- Diana's legacy -
Mark Roche, author of several books on the monarchy, said that William was "molded" by the "traditional" Queen during a Sunday luncheon with her in Windsor while he was studying at the nearby elite Eton College.
But "in William's wealth ... there is a greater sensitivity to diversity and the environment, perhaps because of his mother's influence", he said.
The prince has revealed little about what is going on behind the palace walls, but has defended the family after his brother Harry and wife Meghan gave a shocking interview on US television in which he accused members of being racist. accused of.
He vehemently denied the allegations and by all accounts, relations with Harry are strained.
But William recognizes the need to modernize the centuries-old institution to enable it to survive after Elizabeth II and prevent the forces of strong republicanism among the younger generations.
This need was emphasized during a recent tour of the Caribbean in March, which was criticized for its return to colonial times.
"One of the things that William is particularly concerned about is the image of the monarchy and how it proceeds," Fitzwilliams said.