Happy & glorious at 40! WILLS' EXCITING NEW ROLE

He proves yet again he really is the People’s Prince

- Judy Kean

It’s a milestone that Prince William has apparently said is “daunting”. But the future king will no doubt take his 40th birthday in his stride, just as he has been taking on board all of the extra responsibility thrust upon him of late as his grandmother the Queen hands over more of her duties.

This particular birthday signals the beginning of a new phase of life for William, wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and their children Prince George, eight, Princess Charlotte, seven, and Prince Louis, four.

The family is moving to a house on the Queen’s Windsor estate in the next few months as William wants to be closer to his grandmother now that she is permanently based at Windsor Castle.

At the moment, their time is split between their apartment at Kensington Palace, where William grew up, and their country home Anmer Hall at Sandringham in Norfolk. The couple will be retaining both homes, using Kensington Palace for whenever they have to be in London, although it is just 30km from Windsor.

Anmer Hall will also be used regularly, says a palace source. “They love it up there. It’s their happy place.”

But living on the Windsor estate makes sense for many reasons, including the fact that it is closer to Kate’s parents, Carole and Mike Middleton, in Berkshire. Their home in the village of Bucklebury is just a 45-minute drive away.