People watched as Prince William grew from a sliding pupil to a rushing rescue pilot from the sea to a bald father of three. But as he turns 40 on Tuesday, William is making the biggest change to date: taking on an increasingly central role in the Royal Family as he prepares for his final ascension to the throne. That was clear two weeks ago, when William was at the center of Queen Elizabeth II’s exaggerated concert on the throne, praising his grandmother as an environmental pioneer as he called for action on climate change. “Tonight was full of optimism and joy – and there is hope,” he said as images of wildlife, oceans and jungles were displayed on the walls of Buckingham Palace behind him. “Together, if we make the best of humanity and restore our planet, we will protect it for our children, for our grandchildren and for future generations.” Get ready to see more of this. Delayed due to age and health problems, the 96-year-old queen is gradually handing over more responsibilities to her son and successor, Prince Charles. This in turn gives William, his eldest son, a more important role to play and more opportunities to put his stamp on a new generation of the monarchy. “William was very willing to show how he would treat things differently,” said Royal expert Pauline Maclaran, author of “Royal Fever: The British Monarchy in Consumer Culture.” “And so we see it more and more, emphasizing the future of the line, with Charles being placed more in a kind of state position for William. “We are always reminded that William is chasing Charles,” he added. William’s position as the final heir to the throne was, of course, sealed at the birth on June 21, 1982, of Charles’s first son and the late Princess Diana. This made him public from the moment Charles and Diana introduced him to the television cameras outside the Lindo ward of St. John’s Hospital. Mary in London. People watched William from his school years in London to his courtship with Kate Middleton at St University. Andrews in Scotland and their spectacular wedding at Westminster Abbey. He paraded in front of the cameras once again when he graduated from the Royal Sandhurst Military Academy and then went on to be active in the Army, Navy and Royal Air Force. He eventually became a civilian air ambulance pilot before moving to full-time royal duties five years ago. His philanthropy and causes – from mental health to the environment – have given hints as to what kind of monarch he might one day become. But events shortly before and during the celebrations of the Queen’s platinum jubilee began to give a clearer indication of William’s vision for the future. William and Kate represented the Queen last March on an eight-day tour of Belize, Jamaica and the Bahamas, three of the 14 independent countries where the British monarch continues to serve as head of state. They were treated to wind bands and gala dinners, as well as demonstrations by protesters demanding compensation for Britain’s role in enslaving millions of Africans. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holns told the kings that his country intended to become a democracy, severing ties with the monarchy. After the voyage, the young royals were criticized as “deaf” for perpetuating images of British colonial rule. But instead of backing down from the Windsor House’s traditional “never complain, never explain” response, William took the unusual step of issuing a statement that reflected on everything that had happened. “I know this tour has brought to the forefront questions about the past and the future,” said William. “In Belize, Jamaica and the Bahamas, this future belongs to the people.” “Kathryn and I are committed to the service,” he continued. “For us, this does not tell people what to do. It has to do with their service and support in whatever way they think best. “ That willingness to be accessible is critical to the House of Windsor, as it seeks to stay relevant to younger people and consolidate its role in British society, Maclaran said. “It is important that William shows that there will be changes in the monarchy,” he said. “Otherwise, you know, I suspect he really can’t survive.”
