The Duke of Cambridge, Prince William, turns 30 on Thursday.
The future king, who is second in line to the throne behind his father Prince Charles, has enjoyed a privileged life, albeit one without his mother, Princess Diana, since her death in a road accident in 1997 when the prince was just 15.
He has grown from a young Eton schoolboy into a national heartthrob who had a whole generation of girls dreaming of being his princess and then to RAF search and rescue pilot.
During the past 12 months William has been thrust into the spotlight more than ever before, following major changes in both his personal life and the level of his royal commitments.
William - the future head of the Armed Forces - has also been concentrating on his military career.
He has a full-time job as an RAF Search and Rescue Force pilot - with time off for royal appearances - heading off on emergency missions in a Sea King helicopter to rescue stranded climbers and stricken vessels.
Constantly in the public eye, the prince has had almost his entire life documented in the media, not least his relationship, and eventual marriage, with Kate Middleton, now the Duchess of Cambridge.
To reminisce and look back on the life so far of the Prince, click through the slideshow below for a key photo from each year of Prince William's life.