Prince William Marks 21st Birthday With Flair

Prince William turned 21, proving himself to be the model of a modern royal: He wears jeans, loves fast motorbikes, does his own grocery shopping and holds tight to his independence. William’s coming of age brought new responsibilities for the second in line to the throne. The day was marked in traditional style with an official poem and newly minted gold coins.

But the prince also made sure it was celebrated his way, ordering the royal family -- including his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II -- to ditch the usual formal state function in favor of an African-themed costume party at Windsor Castle.