Royal marks 43rd birthday with adorable family photo amid historic flashback
Prince William turned 43 today, and the royal family marked the occasion by sharing a heartwarming photo of him cuddling their dog Orla and her new puppies. The image, posted to Instagram by the Princess of Wales, was captioned: “Happy birthday! Love C, G, C, L, Orla and the puppies!”
The post has drawn widespread affection from fans, though it has also reignited memories of a photo controversy tied to William's 18th birthday.
Back in 2000, the Palace faced backlash after granting exclusive photo access of William at Eton to The Daily Telegraph and ITN. The move sparked outrage among other media outlets, prompting the resignation of his press secretary, Sandy Henney.
The dispute centred on copyright ownership—traditionally held by Buckingham Palace with proceeds donated to charity. Although photographer Ian Jones later transferred the rights to Prince William, the fallout left a lasting mark.
St James’s Palace later issued a statement expressing regret over the confusion and reiterated the royal family’s stance that no one should profit from photos of Prince William or his brother without ensuring charitable benefit.
Today, the Prince of Wales is celebrated not only for his dedication to royal duty but also for his role as a devoted family man—an image warmly reflected in this year’s birthday tribute.
