The upbringing of Prince George, who is destined to be king one day, has been carefully curated by his parents, Prince William and Princess Kate. The royal couple has put an emphasis on providing a normal childhood, instead of an early induction into royal protocols.
Royal historian Robert Lacey states that the Prince and Princess of Wales deliberately kept Prince George’s future role as king a secret until he was about seven. This decision is a testament to Prince William’s determination to grant his eldest son as much normalcy as possible before the reality of his destiny set in.
As Robert Hardman, a royal biographer, put it, “William takes his role as father of the future King as seriously as he takes his role as future King.”
This approach extends to all three children in the Wales family. Prince George, 12, is in his final year at Lambrook School in Berkshire with siblings Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, seven. Their time at the school has been instrumental in their growth, providing a shielded environment before they transition to secondary education.
Prince George is due to join Eton College in September, following his father’s path at the expensive institution where tuition is roughly $82,000 a year. Princess Charlotte may opt for Marlborough College in Wiltshire over Eton, which is where her mother studied.
These varied educational journeys echo William and Kate’s commitment to recognizing each child as an individual, rather than shaping them into identical royal figures. Both Eton College and Marlborough College have significant royal ties.
However, despite their efforts to sustain childhood innocence, Prince George has been gradually introduced to public duties. He was present at King Charles’ coronation, providing him with a glimpse into a ceremony he would one day partake in. He has also attended the Trooping the Colour, the annual military parade celebrating the monarch’s official birthday, and joined his parents at a Buckingham Palace tea party for veterans.
At the tea party, George engaged with World War II veterans, listening to their stories and asking insightful questions about their experiences during the war. This event offered him a chance to interact with the public in a supportive setting.
More recently, Prince George joined his father at commemorations marking the anniversary of VE Day. The high-profile event included interacting with veterans during a military parade and appearing on the Buckingham Palace balcony—a highly visible royal tradition.
Beyond ceremonies, Prince George has also been introduced to charity work. He visited a homelessness charity with Prince William, helping prepare lunch for the people supported by the organization. The experience exposed him to one of his father’s main causes and showed him practical ways royals can help tackle social issues.
According to royal expert Marlene Koenig, Prince George started understanding his future role better after Queen Elizabeth II’s death in 2022. The passing of his great-grandmother made the line of succession more immediate and real for the young prince.
Princess Kate has been notably present in her children’s everyday activities. As noted by Panthea Parker, a cast member of Real Housewives of London, Princess Kate has been regularly seen at her children’s school matches. “She never misses any of her children’s matches,” Parker told Hello! Magazine. “Really amazing.”
This commitment to attend sporting events is reflective of a broader parenting philosophy. Instead of delegating such tasks to staff, Princess Kate routinely attends Prince George’s rugby and football matches, providing visible support and a semblance of normalcy despite her royal duties.
The reality of Prince George’s destiny is becoming more apparent as he nears his teenage years, according to former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond. His increasing public appearances and gradual introduction to royal responsibilities mark a shift from his early childhood, a period when his parents could more easily protect him from public scrutiny.
The struggle to balance preparing a future king and preserving a child’s innocence is one of the most difficult aspects of royal parenting. The challenges of growing up in the public eye have strongly influenced Prince William’s approach to raising his own children.
Prince William wanted Prince George to enjoy a normal childhood for as long as possible, a goal that required active resistance to the pressures and expectations that come with being a heir to the throne.
Moving forward, it seems likely that the couple will continue to prioritize their children’s well-being even as their public duties intensify. Royal commentary indicates that Princess Kate will be an ambitious Queen who aligns with Prince William’s desire for lasting change. This vision begins with how they raise the next generation of royals.
With Prince George transitioning to Eton College in September, the family dynamic at Lambrook School will undergo a significant change. This separation marks the end of a unique chapter for the Wales children, who shared the rare privilege of attending the same school—a rarity in royal history, where children were often sent to different institutions or educated separately from a young age.
As Prince George completes his final year at Lambrook before moving on to secondary school, the upcoming months represent a valuable period when all three siblings can still share the same daily routine and school environment. For William and Kate, these last few months of having their children together in one school encapsulates their broader parenting philosophy: cherish the ordinary moments while they last, as the extraordinary obligations of royalty will soon follow.
