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CNN Live Today

Prince William Turns 20

Aired June 21, 2002 - 11:37   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: We've watched him grow up. Today, the future king of England turns 20. William Arthur Philip Louis was born June 21, 1982, to Charles and Diana. William attended Eton, perhaps England's most exclusive school. He played soccer, rugby, tennis, and even dabbled in acting. William is now a student at St. Andrew's University in Scotland, where he is studying art history.

Prince William also spent part of his birthday watching Brazil beat England in the World Cup. The palace says he will spend the rest of it without fanfare, surrounded by just a few friends.

"Hello!" is a British publication that covers royals and celebrities, much like our own "People" magazine. Roger Kasper is deputy editor of "Hello!." And he joins us from London this morning.

Hello, Roger.

ROGER KASPER, "HELLO!" MAGAZINE: Good morning, Carol.

COSTELLO: So just a few friends. Do we know who those few friends are?

KASPER: Well, certainly Prince Harry, his brother, is going to be one of those very close to him. I think also some young girls from his polo set. He's very mad on polo at the moment. So I'm sure it will be some of the people from his polo set.

COSTELLO: Some girls from his polo set?

KASPER: Girls, definitely. He's 20.

COSTELLO: Any special girl? I know that's what everyone wants to know.

KASPER: If I had the answer, I would tell our magazine first, I'm afraid. But as soon as I know, I'll let you know second.

COSTELLO: I know. It would be quite the scoop, wouldn't it?

KASPER: Wouldn't it be wonderful?

COSTELLO: Definitely.

He's dabbled in acting. Is it possible that he could become an actor?

KASPER: I don't think so. I think that's far too high profile for him. He wants to keep low profile. He barely wants to be royal actually. But I think a life of royal duty awaits him.

COSTELLO: Does he like that life? We have watched this guy grow up, and he seems to take things on easily as far as the royal lifestyle is concerned.

KASPER: He's taking the royal lifestyle easily, do you think?

COSTELLO: Well, he seems to be doing all of the right things.

KASPER: Yes, he's certainly doing better in royal duties, I think, since the jubilee. He's really blossomed actually, and the public have taken him into more into their affections. He went on two walkabouts over the jubilee weekend. And he seems to adapting more into the royal way, which he's found hard, because he is notoriously shy and also un-media friendly.

COSTELLO: He's also done a lot of volunteer work, just like his mother.

KASPER: Yes, he went to Chile on his gapgia (ph) before he went to university, and I understand that he might actually be going to Africa very, very shortly to watch the wildebeest migrate, which is part of something he missed on his last break.

COSTELLO: The wildebeest? He's going to watch them migrate, is that what you said?

KASPER: That's what I believe. He's a huge conservationist. And he's very interested in wildlife, like his parents, and I think that's what he wants to go and do very shortly. If he's not celebrating this weekend at High Grove (ph), I think he'll be off there pretty shortly.

COSTELLO: You know, I think a lot of people are really concerned about his brother Harry, because he seems to be so overshadowed by William. What is there relationship like?

KASPER: It's a very close relationship. I think there's a lot of concern, particularly over the drug-taking allegation of Prince Harry, and Prince William caught up in that as well. He has taken the older brother role. Harry is making -- not to be overshadowed. He is the life and soul of any party, I think, any royal party. He has some good antics up his sleeve that he likes to become the center of attention, and he's competing with William, but they are very, very close indeed.

COSTELLO: You know, there was a moment in time when Prince Charles was said to be, maybe he should step aside because of all the controversy surrounding his personal life and that William would takeover. Is there any chance of that now?

KASPER: I think there's a big chance of that. A recent poll by the BBC suggested that 35 percent of youngsters between 18-24 wanted Prince William to be the next king. So to miss out a generation for Charles to stand aside -- I think the next few years with prince Charles and his relationship with Camilla Parker Bowles are going to be very interesting indeed.

COSTELLO: Would Prince Charles ever be interested in doing that?

KASPER: What? Stand on the side? He was born to be king.

COSTELLO: So it would be very difficult for him to do such a thing, even if large part of British population wants him to do that?

KASPER: I think that Prince Charles would not let it happen. He's had a whole lifetime of royal service, and he's not going to let the big job go.

COSTELLO: Thank you, Roger Kasper, who is deputy editor of "Hello!" magazine. Thank you for joining us live from London this morning.

KASPER: Thank you very much.

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