Prince William - Inside His Private World

As Prince William prepares to take the throne, sources dish on his marriage to Duchess Kate, his life as a dad and his plans to rule the monarchy.

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In the late ’90s, Prince William was a teen heartthrob. “Everywhere he went, there were screaming girls waiting for him,” says a source, recalling how uncomfortable the young royal was with the attention. “He was a painfully shy and awkward teen — especially after the death of his mom, Princess Diana [in 1997]. He did everything he could to duck the spotlight and live a private life.”

William’s come a long way since then. “Everyone has really noticed a change in him over the last decade. He’s genial and much more confident now,” a palace insider tells OK!, adding that although the prince, 37, was reluctant at first, he now knows his duties as a member of the monarchy and happily complies. “He attends countless engagements with a smile on his face and is caring toward everyone, from the palace cleaning staff to his high-society pals. He’s blossomed into an amazing husband, father and royal.”