(16 Jun 2000) English/Nat
XFA
Britain's Prince William celebrates his eighteenth birthday next Wednesday, and in anticipation of worldwide media interest in the event, he has allowed television pictures to be released showing him for the first time taking part in activities at his school.
The prince will be studying for exams on the day itself and hopes that the release of these pictures will allow him to continue his studies in peace.
However royal watchers warn that the world's interest in him is likely to increase dramatically now that he is entering adulthood and he could become - like his mother Princess Diana - a source of massive media interest.
This is the first time that Prince William has allowed television cameras such an intimate glimpse into his private life at his school.
He's hoping that by allowing this insight into his school life he will be able to concentrate on his studies.
The prince will not be partying on the day of his birthday next week - he's going to have to prepare for an 'History of Art' exam the following day.
These pictures show him hard at work in Eton school's library.
He is also studying Biology and Geography and aims to study the History of Art at university.
There has been much speculation that he will be going to Edinburgh university once he finishes at Eton at the end of this month.
Eton is regarded as the most privileged of all the private schools in Britain.
It was Princess Diana who had a large influence in deciding to send her sons there - they would be close to home, and by mixing with other children of the rich and famous, would not endure the bullying their father was subjected to in his remote Scottish school.
Judy Wade, a seasoned royal watcher says she's impressed by how naturally William comes across.
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"It's the first time the cameras have been concentrating straight on him - we've seen him before in photocalls with his father and his brother but we've never seen William in the spotlight as much as he is today - and so I was very impressed - but of course people may be surprised that he's allowed this intrusion into his private life at school, but it's understandable because he has got a kind of loose arrangement with the media that if he now and then provides them with pictures, in return the newspapers and television companies will leave him alone and give him a bit of space."
SUPER CAPTION: Judy Wade, Royal Editor, OK Magazine
Like most young men his age, William is fascinated by computers.
He has said he loves computer games and the internet is not a big mystery to him.
Allowing people to see him at work in his study was a different way of satisfying the media appetite for private pictures.
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"I think it was a choice that was forced upon him. If he didn't do this he was just going to be hassled all the time and William understands that if he gives a little bit, then he can have more peace. I think it's very nice that he has done this and it's a novel, new way of doing things, rather than giving just a serious interview, this is the way forward."
SUPER CAPTION: Ingrid Seward, Editor, Majesty magazine
Unlike most private schools, Eton boys mainly play football and not rugby.
William did however play rugby to begin with and proved an excellent player.
He was unable to continue though when he broke a finger, which required surgery, last year.
William has become a football fan and recently revealed that he supports London team Aston Villa.
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SUPER CAPTION: Robert Hardman, Royal Correspondent, Daily Telegraph
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