Prince William Receives Rare Honor on Birthday as Westminster Abbey Rings Bells [Video]

Westminster Abbey is ringing in Prince William‘s 42nd birthday — literally!

The Prince of Wales turned 42 on June 21, and the milestone was marked with the ringing of the bells at Westminster Abbey, where the future monarch married Kate Middleton in 2011.

“Wishing the Prince of Wales a very happy birthday today!” the London landmark wrote on social media with a photo of Prince William attending the Commonwealth Day service in March. “We’ll be ringing the Abbey bells at 1 pm to celebrate.”

Westminster Abbey was known for ringing its bells to celebrate the birthdays of numerous members of the royal family. However, the tradition changed amid financial issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, significantly reducing the number of royals who receive the honor.

Before 2020, the bells marked 12 royal birthdays. Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip and their four children — then now-King Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward— …