Thoughtful Prince has sense of fun Royal archives released for the first time on the eve of his 16th birthday give a new insight into the life of Prince William. The material, chronicling his early years, reveals a thoughtful and talented young Prince. William's sporting prowess is documented alongside his artistic achievements in school plays and concerts. At an early age, he was credited with a kind and likeable nature, popular with other children, and having a sense of fun. The unprecedented access to files at St James's Palace reveals that, in July 1995, the Princess of Wales and William - at the age of 13 - played in the mother-and-son tennis competition at Ludgrove School. In June 1995, the Prince of Wales took part with William in Ludgrove's father-and-son clay pigeon shooting competition. Prince William started at Mrs Mynors's Nursery School in Notting Hill, west London - run by Mrs Jane Mynors - on September 24, 1985, aged three, and left in December 1986. He spent his first two terms in Cygnet Class before moving into Big Swan Class. During the first term, he attended two mornings a week until half-term and then every morning. Teachers said William was very keen on reading and loved writing his name - he is left-handed. William acted in two nursery school plays, attended by his mother and father and younger brother Prince Harry, and also sang solo. According to the royal records: "Prince William was very popular with the other children, and was known for his kindness, sense of fun and quality of thoughtfulness." At four years old, William enrolled at Wetherby School, also in Notting Hill, on January 15, 1987 and was a pupil until July 5, 1990. It was noted that he had a flair for English and spelling. Sports Day was held annually at Richmond Athletic Ground and both the Prince and Princess of Wales took part in parents' races. Following in his mother and father's wake, Prince William proved himself to be a stylish swimmer and entered the school gala held every March at the Jubilee Sports Centre, west London. Aged seven, while in Form 4, he won the Grunfield Cup awarded to the boy with the best overall swimming style. William sang in the 1987, 1988 and 1989 Christmas concerts, and took part in the June 1990 school play, The Saga of Erik Nobeard or A Viking Nonetheless. He spent five years at Ludgrove School from September 10, 1990 until July 5, 1995. During this time, he accompanied the Princess of Wales to a Christmas concert by the London Symphony Chorus, at the Barbican in London, when he made his first public signature, signing the visitors' book, confirming that he is left-handed. His first public engagement was with the Prince and Princess of Wales on a visit to Wales on St David's Day, March 1 1991, at a service in Llandaff Cathedral, when William was eight years old. At Ludgrove, he showed his flair for English by winning the Junior Essay Prize in the summer term of 1992. William was at his prep school when, on December 9, 1992, his parents' separation was announced by Prime Minister John Major in the House of Commons. The young Prince had already been informed privately, by the Princess, a few days earlier. He showed his caring nature in May 1994 and 1995 when he went on sponsored walks for the Wokingham and District Association for the Elderly. On September 30, 1994, he went on a school geography field trip for two days to Devon as part of his Geography Common Entrance exam. William was a full school monitor during his final year. The young Prince's sporting prowess came to the fore at Ludgrove where he was a rugby and hockey team captain, stylish swimmer, useful footballer, basketball player, crack clay pigeon shooter and represented the school at cross-country running. Ludgrove is divided into Sets and William was in Haig Set. In his first term, he was in the winning team of the Sets Under-9 football competition. He was in the school swimming team, junior then senior, throughout his time at Ludgrove. In 1992-93, he was also a member of a record-breaking freestyle relay team and played in the Under-11b football team. The following year, William made the school 3rd XI football team, Under-12 basketball team and graduated to the senior swimming team. In July 1994, aged 12, he won the Cliddesden Salver for Clay Pigeon Shooting. William became captain of the Ludgrove 2nd XI hockey team during 1994-95 and captain of the 3rd XV rugby team, as well as playing in the 2nd XI football team, Under-14 basketball team, clay pigeon shooting team, and representing the school at cross-country running and swimming. While at Ludgrove, William received bronze and silver survival awards in swimming, and the Swordfish medley skills award. His school acting career continued with appearances in the 1990 Christmas play; he took part in the 1993 production of Christmas Cavalier by Richard Lloyd and the following year was in Santa and The Vikings, also by Richard Lloyd. William was secretary of the Dramatic Society for the Christmas 1994 production. On March 19 and 20, 1993, he acted in The Sword of General Frapp by John Harris. His first mention in the Court Circular was on August 19, 1995, when he accompanied his mother, father and brother, with other senior Royals, in The Mall to commemorate the 50th anniversary of VJ Day and the end of the Second World War. The Prince's health has been good but on June 3 1991, William was admitted to the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, after an accident at Ludgrove. Playing with a friend on the putting green, he was hit on the side of the head with a golf club. He suffered a depressed fracture of the forehead but was not knocked out. William was transferred by ambulance to London's Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children. That evening, William underwent an operation. "Prince William was very brave and did not cry," according to the royal records.