Prince George, who marked his 12th birthday last week, in undergoing a major transformation in the royal institution but Prince William and Kate Middleton had been prepared for this change.
The Prince and Princess of Wales had a set plan for their firstborn and the future monarch to embrace his destined role at his own pace.
Prince William was well-aware of the burden and responsibilities that come with being the heir to the throne. He must have also learned how the pressures can take a toll on a young prince. This time around Kate and William were prepared to gently ease their children into duties.
This was indicated during the VE Day celebrations in May when George had accompanied his parents to the Buckingham Palace for a reception to honour British and Commonwealth Armed Forces veterans.
“George was the star of the room,” a source witness to the event told Hello! magazine. “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.”
Apart from William and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and the Princess Royal also seem to be guiding from the sideline.
“It was a safe, familiar place,” the insider continued. “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.”
According to royal author, Robert Hardman, this is a glimpse into William and Kate’s plans, a contrast to the royal tradition.
“It’s all part of a slow, incremental move towards his destiny,” the author said, noting that the young prince will one day become commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
He explained that William and Kate have “always been very clear about pacing it, not making the children do anything that puts them off the idea of being royal in the future”.
The update comes as Palace has begun tightening the royal protocol for Prince George after his 12th birthday. Meanwhile, William is ready to take the throne at a “moment’s notice” as Firm stays prepared for any situation amid King Charles’s cancer battle.
