Just William says Prince

William: A dab hand in the kitchen

Prince William has asked not to be called His Royal Highness when he comes of age.

Speaking during an interview that coincided with the release by Buckingham Palace of unique video and photographic footage of his everyday life, he said he preferred to be known as plain William.

A St James's Palace spokesperson said: "William has discussed the matter with his father and the Queen has given her approval."

He is said to feel that, because he is unlikely to carry out solo public duties until he has completed his full-time education, it would be more appropriate to delay using HRH.

The Queen has given her approval

St James' Palace

If he takes a gap year between school and university and studies in Scotland, where undergraduate courses last four years, he could be 23 before he is called His Royal Highness.

It is understood the young Prince feels more comfortable among his friends as plain William.

Royal staff are not expected to address Prince William as "Sir" and may refer to him just as William.

William: A keen sportsman

The photographs and video footage give a rare insight into the man who will one day be king, He is shown playing sport, studying for his A Level exams and cooking.

Publicity surrounding the prince, including a set of commemorative Royal Mail stamps, has been building as his birthday on 21 June approaches.

The BBC's Royal Correspondent, Jennie Bond, said Prince Charles had suggested to William that if he allowed some access during the course of the year featuring key moments of his life, he could "buy" some freedom during the rest of it.

He turns 18 on 21 June

Not all of the attention has been favourable.

St James's Palace said it would speak to the Press Complaints Commission about media coverage of William after The News of the World published pictures of him at school earlier this month.

The unauthorised pictures showed the prince playing football and polo, going for a run and talking to friends.

The Palace said: "It is vital for us to reaffirm the principle that the two young princes, like all children, should be free to complete their time at school without interruption."

Unhappy broadcasters

Flying the flag: Just one of William's multi-coloured waistcoats

Further disputes arose when the BBC and Sky News said they were unhappy with the arrangements for sharing official video footage of the prince at Eton, which has been shot by a cameraman from ITN.

ITN's rivals are also unhappy about the timing of the release, 1830 BST, coinciding with the start of ITN's Early Evening News.

And in a separate incident, the Prince of Wales's press secretary, Sandy Henney, resigned last week after she was accused of mishandling arrangements for a Daily Telegraph photographer to take authorised birthday photos of the prince.