HAPPY BIRTHDAY, WILLIAM

AS PRINCE WILLIAM TURNS 40, ROYAL EXPERT JENNIE BOND EXPLAINS HOW HAVING KATE BY HIS SIDE WILL HELP HIM CELEBRATE THIS SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE

- SAMUEL McMANUS

After stepping out both together and separately last week, the relationship between the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge is evidently the strongest it has ever been.

And as William turns 40 on 21 June, there's apparently no better person to have by his side for this significant milestone than his wife, Kate.

It's 40 years, almost to the day, since Princess Diana and Prince Charles stood on the steps outside the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in London holding their newborn son William, the next in line to the throne after his father. 

Since then, he's spent much of his life in the public eye, from losing his mother at the age of 15, to his school and university years, meeting Kate, their spectacular wedding and welcoming their three children.

Turning 40 is a major point in anyone's life and William will probably spend the day reflecting on what he's achieved over the years and looking towards a future in which he will be a king.

The Duchess of Cambridge, who this month said she is in "good hands" with William by her side as she prepares to become Princess of Wales, will no doubt play a huge part in guiding him as he reaches his milestone.

Kate, who turned 40 herself in January, famously quipped, "He's lucky to have me" when she was told how fortunate she was to be marrying a future king. But her pride in her husband has been evident from day one, and she once said, "He is very supportive of me through the good times and also through the bad times." The couple's affection runs deep and began when they met at the University of St Andrews. Kate has admitted to being "very shy" during their first interaction.