Prince William celebrates 20th

William attends a church service to mark his grandmother's golden jubilee

LONDON, England -- Prince William, the second-in -line to the British throne, is celebrating his 20th birthday.

The royal heartthrob has seen his status rise in the past year during which he has had to cope with the sorrow of his great grandmother's death and celebrations for the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

Although no public engagements are planned for Friday, many royal observers say the last year has been a significant one in which he has proved his growing confidence as a royal.

During the Queen's Golden Jubilee celebration earlier this month, William's popularity shone through as he conducted a royal walkabout with other members of the family, the UK's Press Association reported. (Queen's Jubilee)

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Where he would once have shied away from the scrutiny of thousands of adording fans, he was markedly relaxed when he greeted delighted well-wishers lining the Mall in London.

And his public role was also in evidence earlier this year after the Queen Mother died, and William and Prince Harry joined other members of the family for the sombre march behind the coffin to Westminster.

Hundreds of thousands of mourners attending the Queen Mother's funeral saw him carry out his duties stoically despite his grief. (Princes mourn)

The St Andrews University student is set to break for summer vacation, but is expected to change his course when he returns in the autumn from history of art to geography.

The prince will not take on public royal duties on his own until he finishes his education in Scotland, but he has accompanied his father, Prince Charles, on several occasions.

A recent BBC poll found a majority of 18 to 24-year-olds thought William, rather than Charles, should be the next king.