Charles and William: Heirs to the throne

Even as he becomes the greatest path to ensuring the future of the House of Windsor, many say Prince William is in danger of overshadowing his less popular father.

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Dec. 22, 1982

Prince Charles poses with his son Prince William at William's first public picture session at Kensington Palace in London. The 6-month-old prince was dressed in a white silk romper suit with embroidery on the chest.

David Caulkin / AP

May 23, 1985

Prince Charles and Prince William meet members of the British Army “Red Devils” parachute team in London after they had completed their jump into the gardens of Kensington Palace in aid of a charity appeal.

John Redman / AP

Dec. 25, 1995

Prince Charles watches as Prince William receives a gift from a local girl at the traditional Christmas service at the parish church in Sandringham, England. Members of the royal family spending their Christmas vacations at Sandringham traditionally attend a service on Christmas morning.

John Stillwell / AP

Aug. 12, 1997

Prince Charles chats with Prince William as they pose for photographers on the bank of the River Dee at the start of their summer holiday at Balmoral Castle in Scotland.

Derek Ironside / Reuters

Sept. 29, 2000

Prince Charles and Prince William speak to the media at Highgrove estate as William prepares for the second part of his gap year, before he studies for an art history degree at St. Andrews University in Scotland.

Jonathan Evans / Reuters

Sept. 23, 2001

Prince William, accompanied by his father, Prince Charles, arrives at the University of St. Andrews in St. Andrews, Scotland.

Adam Butler / AP

April 5, 2002

The gun carriage carrying the coffin of Britain's Queen Mother, accompanied by members of the royal family, including Prince Charles, foreground, Prince William, center, and the Duke of Kent, rear, starts its ceremonial procession to London's Westminster Hall.

Dave Caulkin / AP

March 28, 2004

Prince Charles and Prince William ski down the Madrisa course in Klosters, Switzerland. The Prince of Wales and his son were staying for a one-week private skiing holiday in Klosters.

Michael Probst / AP

May 29, 2004

Prince William touches a young cow watched by his father Prince Charles at Home Farm near Tetbury, Gloucester, west of England. Prince William and Prince Charles took part in this organized media opportunity, and in return the media were to leave Prince William alone at his Scottish university.

Alastair Grant / AP

June 23, 2005

Prince William, Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, leave William's graduation ceremony in St. Andrews, Scotland.

Bruno Vincent / Getty Images

April 12, 2006

Prince Charles talks to Prince William following the Sovereign's Parade at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in England, where Prince Harry, William's brother, received his military commission.

Lefteris Pitarakis / AP

April 11, 2008

Prince Charles escorts Prince William after he graduated from the Royal Air Force College at the RAF Cranwell, in Cranwell, northern England. Prince William was presented with his ceremonial pilot's wings by his father as he graduated as a military pilot and followed in the footsteps of a host of his royal ancestors.

Lefteris Pitarakis / AP

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