The Duke of Cambridge is celebrating his 30th birthday on Thursday.

St James's Palace says William will mark the occasion in a "low-key" and "private" fashion.

The Duke has been busy this week on a course connected with his work as an RAF Search and Rescue Force pilot but he will take time out to celebrate the milestone.

His wife Kate, who turned 30 in January, is almost certainly behind any events that are planned, and also has had the tricky job of finding a present for her husband.

It is likely that a few close friends will be invited to the occasion which could be a quiet meal at their home in North Wales.

As well as being happily married to his university sweetheart, William is forging ahead with a successful career, he has qualified as an operational Captain in the RAF and can now command Sea King helicopters during rescue missions.