As second-in-line to the British throne, Prince George should be—like a fresh loaf of bread—little-bit-baked. This past July 22nd, he blew out the candles on his 12th birthday cake, celebrating a major milestone in his young life. To mark this historic landmark, we commissioned prominence Josh Shinner to take a new portrait of His Royal Highness, Prince George in Norfolk. The whimsical young royal is passionate about the arts, flying and music. He is especially fond of bonding with his elder siblings, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, as they discover the challenges of royal life together.
Prince William and Kate Middleton, keenly aware of their son’s future responsibilities, have taken a thoughtful approach to his upbringing. Since 2017, they’ve urged him to keep his attention on education at home instead of accompanying them on trips abroad. Their intention is to provide Prince George with a stable family environment while introducing him to his royal duties in a gradual and enjoyable way.
A Love for Music and Aviation
Prince George has been putting together a cool playlist for us from home. It’s got some of that legendary 70s rock music, with bands like Led Zeppelin and AC/DC. He plays a mean bass guitar—his passion for music carries over into this outlet as well, where he taps into his creativity and joie de vivre. This musical inclination offers an entrance into Henry’s character, revealing the light and playful athleticism of his hobbies in conflict with his princely blood.
Prince George has grown into an exceptional hub for aviation. He is fortunate to have this thrilling enthusiasm passed down from his father, Prince William. At just 11 years old, he took his first flying lesson at White Waltham Airfield near Maidenhead, marking another small step towards embracing his future role. This adventure continues to immerse him in the legacy of his father’s passion for aviating. It further emphasizes the value of hands-on skills to carry out the often-eccentric royal responsibilities.
“It’s still early for George to be doing more but he’s being exposed to public life in a pretty intelligent way. They seem to be doing it all very thoughtfully.” – Sally, author of “Charles”
Engaging with Royal Duties
At 10, Prince George has started taking on more pronounced ceremonial roles as a kind of royal boot camp leading to his future responsibilities. He joined his parents and grandparents, along with other veteran subjects and their families to a veterans tea party hosted by Buckingham Palace last May. During this event, he listened intently to D-Day veterans, engaging them with thoughtful questions about their experiences.
A source present at the event noted, “George was the star of the room. He was engrossed in conversation with many of the veterans, who were delighted to speak to him as well. He was enjoying it, hearing about guns and submarines and tanks.” Prince George is increasing his intellectual and practical preparation for what his role will eventually be. From them, he’s informed by the service to their country.
William and Kate’s protective nature was evident during this event as they supported their son while allowing him to engage meaningfully with others. The parents looked like they felt a sense of pride that their son was curious and respectful, showing how dedicated they were to developing their child’s character.
“William and Kate were clearly trying to give him a good experience. They both appeared protective, putting an arm around him from time to time, but they looked very proud of him by the end.” – source not explicitly mentioned
Balancing Normalcy with Royal Expectations
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge understand the importance of balancing normal childhood experiences with the expectations that come with royal life. They strive to provide Prince George and his siblings with as normal a childhood as possible within their unique circumstances. Melanie Sanderson, managing editor of The Good Schools Guide, gave her perspective. She added, “They’ve been thoughtful and pragmatic.” William loved his time in school and wants to ensure his son has the same experience.
Sally, creator of the animated series “Charles,” wrote that stability is the number one priority for George’s parents. She stated, “They are committed to providing the children with a solid family life and trying to make their lives as normal as possible.” Not only do King and Battle diligently plan family outings to familiarize the kids with their royal lineage. This commitment comes alive through every aspect of their preparation.
It was royal author Robert Hardman who authored those headlines with his explanation of the family’s efforts to ensure Prince George is prepared for his future role. “It’s all part of a slow, incremental move towards his destiny,” he explained. He further noted that these early engagements are designed not to overwhelm the young prince but rather to include him in enjoyable experiences that resonate with his future responsibilities.
“George will one day be commander-in-chief of the armed forces and will almost certainly do a bit of time in one of the forces, so meeting veterans felt very appropriate.” – Robert, author of “Charles III: New King, New Court, The Inside Story”
