Prince William is celebrating his 31st birthday today!
Quite a lot has happened since crowds chanted, “Nice one Charlie, nice one son, nice one Charlie, let’s have another one!” outside the London hospital where the father-to-be was born back in 1982.
This year, William will be "spending his birthday privately,” a St. James Palace spokesperson told TODAY.com. (Of course, that’s what St. James Palace said about Kate in January when she turned 31, though the duchess ended up at a Cirque du Soleil performance with friends and family.)
While we can’t pinpoint the prince’s plans, we do know he has much to celebrate. It’s been a whirlwind of a year, with a baby announcement, a world tour, Olympic fever, and a family photo scandal.
Duchess Kate has temporarily retired from the spotlight until the birth of the couple's child after a final public appearance at the Trooping the Colour parade on June 15.
But Prince William continues to cause quite the public stir all on his own — as evidenced by the expression on a very eager young admirer as she snapped the photo of her life on June 16 when she spotted William and Harry at a charity polo match in Tetbury, England. The birthday boy and his brother looked legitimately tickled.
And though this birthday doesn’t mark the age at which he can accept a $15.5 million inheritance (that was so last year) — at least he probably won’t be spending his day at work.
So cheers, William! Here’s to a happy, healthy (and baby-filled) year!