Earlier this month, with Prince William having flown to Brazil for his annual Earthshot Prize, Kate Middleton had another very special date by her side when she attended the Royal British Legion’s annual Festival of Remembrance at Royal Albert Hall in London – her eldest son, Prince George.
Already reaching the height of her shoulders, George, 12, looked every part the future King in a full suit as he respectfully shook hands with guests and watched the service in humbled silence by his mother’s side.
The occasion marked the first time George has attended the service, which was also attended by his granddad King Charles and his ‘gaga’ Queen Camilla, and marks what is set to be a milestone year ahead for the young royal as he prepares to start secondary school next year.
And while the choice of his school is said to have caused debate in the Wales’ household; with reports suggesting that Kate wants him to attend her own former mixed school, Marlborough College, whilst William is voting for his own boys-only alma mater, Eton, we’re told that the decision over his education is just the beginning.
Behind-the-scenes, a source reveals how Kate and William, both 43, have been including George at the centre of all of their royal plans as they earnestly begin his training to become the future King of England – a huge responsibility on such young shoulders.
An insider explains, ‘They have done their level best to let George have as normal a childhood as possible but it’s now time to start the preparations. He’ll be 13 next year, so they believe he’s ready. You can feel a real shift happening with George, it’s clear he’s starting to fully grasp his place in the bigger picture and what’s wonderful is that he doesn’t seem to be daunted by it.’
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Earlier this year in May, George, who will celebrate his thirteenth birthday next July, also attended King Charles’ VE Day tea party, where he was seen talking with war veterans.
He also accompanied his parents at the Wimbledon Tennis Tournament over the summer and acted as a page of honour at the Coronation of King Charles in 2023, as his granddad sat on the throne he himself will take up one day.
And we’re told this could be just the start as the royals begin to observe George’s interactions and behaviour as part of his initiation process.
‘He did beautifully at the Remembrance Day services. William was in Brazil so it was a great chance for George to step up and accompany Kate and he took it very seriously,’ the source says.
‘Luckily he’s the type of kid that wants to make his parents proud. And he does. The way he handled himself for the Remembrance outing was impeccable, he earned full marks from everyone that observed him and by all accounts he’s going to be attending a lot more official engagements in the coming months.’
Behind the scenes, George’s education outside of his school work has also been a crucial element to his learning after starting his own ‘King lessons’ with a private tutor, who will educate him on his responsibilities as the future head of the Royal Family.
‘This past year he’s been getting lessons twice a week with a tutor, so he’ll know every detail of what’s expected of him once it’s his time for the throne,’ the insider says.
Manners have been drilled into all the children from a young age but there are so many extra details to know as they get older and are officially representing the Crown so George has been getting all that instruction and he’s now been deemed ready to start taking on official engagements.
Like his father before him, who famously underwent private constitutional training sessions with his own grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II – which started when he was a teen before he officially began shadowing in various government departments in his 20s – we’re told how George is also learning under the guidance of King Charles.
‘His schooling is the priority but he’s showing a great interest in everything his father and grandfather do,’ the source says. ‘He’s fascinated by history and loves reading about it, especially since so many of these historical characters are related to him. He sits for one-on-one chats with his granddad, who loves to tell him all about his ancestors. He’s coming into an age now where he’s really enamoured with all of it.’
And the source says George’s ‘hero’ is his own dad who, in an interview with Eugene Levy in October, poignantly spoke about creating ‘a world in which my son is proud of what we do’.
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Now, the insider adds, ‘He idolises his dad and is very much a rule follower so it’s not a struggle getting him to sit down and learn, he’s eager to take on the responsibility. He’s following the same path his dad followed and his grandfather.
‘Just like them he will become the Prince of Wales when his dad becomes King, so he’s learning some Welsh. He’s also studying constitutional history and law, just like his father, grandfather and even great grandmother did.’
Yet while he will officially follow in the footsteps of his royal ancestors before him, nobody can deny the hugely important, pivotal and central role his doting mum Kate continues to play in his life.
And alongside her warmth, it seems George has also inherited her sporty genes too, as we’re told George is ‘an active kid’.
‘He’s not spending all his time inside hitting the books. He loves playing football, hanging out with his friends and getting out in the woods,’ the insider tells us. ‘Kate and William are making sure that he has a good balance of that in his schedule.’
Kate and William have no doubt made on-going efforts to give their children – including George’s siblings Princess Charlotte, ten, and Prince Louis, seven – the most ‘normal’ childhood possible.
The family enjoy holidays in Norfolk, home-baked birthday cakes made by Kate and walk to school with one of their parents each morning.
But the source says that as time passes, George, especially, will become ‘even more unique’.
They add, ‘Despite all of Kate and William’s efforts, George doesn’t have an average childhood and, as he heads into his teenage years, it will become even more unique. He will have less time to be ‘frivolous’ as his preparation for the throne progresses.
‘There will be a lot of new responsibility coming his way but there’s no doubt he can handle it, and his family will support him every step of the way.’
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