Prince William, the heir to the British throne, celebrates his 44th birthday on June 21, 2026. As one of the most recognizable figures globally, his life is under constant scrutiny. This article delves into his net worth, personal friendships, lifestyle habits, and the ongoing rift with his brother, Prince Harry.
Net Worth and Financial Sources
Estimates of Prince William's net worth vary widely, ranging from £80 million to £1.1 billion, according to the Mirror. The vast majority of his wealth comes from the Duchy of Cornwall, a historic estate established in 1337 by Edward III to fund the heir to the throne. After Queen Elizabeth II's death in September 2022, William inherited the Duchy from his father, King Charles III.
The Duchy of Cornwall is valued at approximately £1.1 billion and spans over 52,000 hectares across 19 English counties. In 2025, it provided William with a net distributable surplus of £22.9 million. In May 2026, the Duchy announced plans to sell 20% of its property portfolio over the next decade, investing £500 million in affordable housing and environmental projects. William stated, "We're not the traditional landowner... we want to be more than that. There is so much good we can do."
William and Prince Harry each inherited nearly £13 million from their mother, Princess Diana, along with valuable jewelry. The Queen Mother also left an estimated £14 million to her great-grandsons in 2002, with most set aside for Harry. During his military service, William earned around £45,000–£50,000 annually, and later £62,000 as an air ambulance pilot, which he donated to charity. Official royal expenses are covered by the Sovereign Grant, totaling £86.3 million for 2024–25, equivalent to £1.29 per UK citizen.
Close Friends and Inner Circle
William's closest friends are a tight-knit group from his school days at Eton College and St Andrews University. Notable among them is William van Cutsem, whose family has longstanding ties to the royals. William van Cutsem served as an usher at William and Kate's wedding and is godfather to Prince George. His brother Hugh van Cutsem is also in the inner circle, and his daughter Grace was the scowling bridesmaid at the royal wedding.
James Meade, a friend from Eton, delivered part of the best man's speech at William's wedding and is godfather to Princess Charlotte. Thomas van Straubenzee, a friend from Ludgrove School, also served as an usher and is another godparent to Charlotte. Other close friends include Oliver Baker (godfather to Prince George), Guy Pelly (godfather to Prince Louis), and Harry Aubrey-Fletcher. Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, former private secretary to William and Harry, is also godfather to Prince George.
Diet and Eating Habits
William maintains a disciplined yet relatable diet. For breakfast, he typically eats two eggs, wholemeal toast with butter, apple juice, and multiple cups of tea with milk and sugar. He joked that caffeine helps him cope with the kids keeping him up at night. On weekends, he enjoys a traditional English breakfast with sausage, bacon, and eggs.
Lunch is often a "rubbish sandwich" due to his busy schedule. For dinner, he prefers roast chicken prepared by Princess Kate, white fish, and Italian classics. Former royal chef Darren McGrady revealed William loved mac and cheese as a child. William also enjoys takeaways, especially Nando's, which his security team orders. He has a sweet tooth and requested chocolate biscuit cake alongside the official wedding cake in 2011.
Exercise Routine
William follows an 11-minute equipment-free workout from the Royal Canadian Air Force, including stretches, sit-ups, back and leg raises, push-ups, and running on the spot with eagle jumps. He also runs regularly and was spotted jogging in Central Park during a 2023 New York visit. Additionally, he enjoys polo and swimming.
Personality and Family Life
William is described as warm and down-to-earth in public but "pretty demanding" behind the scenes. He has a sharp wit and a short temper, as detailed in Prince Harry's memoir Spare. However, palace insiders say he remains respectful to staff. He is deeply devoted to his wife, Princess Kate, especially after her cancer diagnosis, and prioritizes being a hands-on father to George, Charlotte, and Louis, aiming to give them a normal upbringing.
Strained Relationship with Prince Harry
The relationship between William and Harry remains severely strained. Prince Harry is set to visit the UK in July 2026 for the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 countdown, accompanied by Meghan and their children. King Charles is eager to see his grandchildren, but William reportedly has no plans to meet Harry. The brothers have not spoken since their uncle's funeral in August 2024, where they kept apart.
Communication is entirely absent, with William cutting ties after Harry's repeated public criticisms, including the Oprah interview and Spare. William also distrusts Harry and Meghan for leaking to the press. Royal commentator Afua Acheampong-Hagan believes reconciliation could eventually happen but not yet: "I do think it will happen, but I don't think it will happen yet. It's baby steps."
