At first glance, Prince George's 13th birthday photo looks like a simple, special snapshot of the future King as he prepares for a huge change. He's heading to Eton in September and will be fully living away from home for the first time. George already looks so grown up and the picture taken by Matt Porteous definitely shows that.

However, I was struck by the location and just how minimal and formal the image was. The birthday photo was captured at Kensington Palace after Trooping the Colour in June and shows George standing on a white staircase in his navy suit - minus his pastel blue tie.

It's a portrait of a young man who is destined to be never really off duty. Although it was taken behind-the-scenes when he was relaxed and completely outside the public eye, the Prince still looks very smart and composed.

His actual surroundings aren't grand but Kensington Palace is a historic royal residence and it's also where he spent the early years of his life. The Prince and Princess of Wales moved to Kensington Palace in 2013 and it's still their London base.

Since Prince George's 13th birthday photo was taken there, it suggests that they were either staying whilst they were in the capital or just wanted to return to the palace for the shoot. The royal residence probably holds a lot of memories for George and it's also where Princess Diana used to live, so there's another layer of significance.

It couldn't be more of a contrast to last year's photo location. Prince George's 12th birthday photo was taken by Josh Shinner in Norfolk and showed him wearing a shirt and gilet, leaning on a mossy garden gate.

We all know how much William, Kate and their children love spending time at doors and their Norfolk home, Anmer Hall, is a private countryside haven for them. However, as he gets older George will have more and more of a public role and the dramatic difference between these pictures highlights that.

The new image isn't quite as formal as official photos we see of Prince William and King Charles, but it's a step closer to that. Sadly, the days of truly casual snaps might now be over, though the Waleses did later share a video montage filmed during their holiday to Cornwall at Easter which showed us George exploring at the beach.

Perhaps the videos will continue to be a more candid option compared to the pictures. It was also interesting that they chose to take the photo in a part of the palace that isn't recognisable and on the same day as Trooping the Colour.

One day Prince George will have his own official birthday parade but this time he got to experience King Charles's big day and then go off and take his birthday photo completely privately. Because the Wales children's celebratory snaps are often taken weeks or even months before their birthdays, we don't get a glimpse of what they're doing on the day itself.

Prince George, Charlotte and Louis are all now on summer break from school and the 13-year-old might want to make the most of being at home with his family before starting at Eton. As for what presents he could receive, William and Kate have been open about not allowing any of their children to have phones up to now.

The Prince of Wales said they're "really strict" about it, but with George heading away to school soon, could they finally make an exception for their eldest child?

Prince George and Charlotte joined their parents at the Wimbledon Men's Singles Final this year but other than this now-traditional appearance, they're probably not going to be seen again in public for the rest of the summer holidays. Unless, that is, the Prince and Princess of Wales bring one or both of them on a special trip up north.

The couple's love of sport has passed down to their children and the 2026 Commonwealth Games kicks off in Glasgow on 23rd July. The last time it was held in the UK in 2022, Charlotte travelled to Birmingham with William and Kate to watch the swimming, gymnastics and hockey.

This was her first appearance without her siblings and I'd be surprised if Charlotte didn't want to go again - especially since the Games weren't supposed to be back on home soil so soon.

Victoria in Australia was originally set to host but pulled out in 2023 due to concerns over the costs, leading to Glasgow stepping in. Instead of being around a day's flight away, the Waleses can get to the Commonwealth Games in just a few hours by train.

Suddenly, it becomes a lot easier and looks a lot more likely that Prince William and Kate could make another appearance, possibly with Charlotte. It would show support for the competing nations and the future Queen's patronage, SportsAid, works in partnership with Sport England and Commonwealth Games England.

During the 2022 Games, the Prince and Princess of Wales and Charlotte went to SportsAid House, so it would make sense if they wanted to champion the charity again. The bigger question for me is whether Prince George might come this time.

We know William and Kate like to make sure their children get to enjoy solo outings. Charlotte didn't go to Wimbledon in 2022 and when the family were asked why she wasn't there, the Princess of Wales reportedly replied, "It's George's treat today."

Maybe the 2022 Commonwealth Games was Charlotte's "treat", so if that's now *her* thing to do with her parents, George might not be there this summer. However, the 12-year-old has a lot on his plate at the moment as he prepares to start at Eton College in September and live fully away from home for the first time.

He loves sport as much as his sister and going to the Games together might be a nice way to make fun summer memories before this big life change. They could even each go with either Prince William or Kate to watch different sports they're interested in.

Princess Charlotte has said that gymnastics is her favourite and Prince William once joked there are a "lot of cartwheels going around the house". Prince George is known to love hockey and swimming, as well as football which isn't played at the Games.

George and Charlotte reportedly support different sides - Aston Villa and Chelsea - in the Premier League but they'll have both been fully behind England in the recent World Cup. Hopefully we'll get to see the siblings unified, cheering the athletes on at some point before the Commonwealth Games ends on 2nd August.

Prince George's 13th birthday on July 22nd marks a big turning point in his life. He'll be entering his teenage years and moving away from his old routine when he starts at Eton College a few months later. This will be the first time that George hasn't gone to the same school as at least one of his siblings since 2019 and he'll be away from home.

Although he chose to start boarding a bit at Lambrook School, Eton is boarding-only and will be strict about home visits. He won't be able to see the Prince and Princess of Wales spontaneously and royal author Robert Jobson thinks it's a "chance for him to spread his wings" and "take part" in activities in the afternoons and evenings.

Meanwhile, former BBC Royal Correspondent Jennie Bond has noticed how George's confidence has already changed in the lead-up to his 13th birthday and school move.

"He seems to be growing not only in stature, but in self-confidence," she explained to The Mirror. "Recently, he has looked far more at ease in front of the cameras, and he's definitely more of a young man now than a child."

Prince George's most recent appearance was at the Wimbledon Men's Singles Final, where he joined William, Kate and Charlotte in the Royal Box. Commenting on the Princess of Wales's view of her eldest son, Jennie suggested that she must "think what a handsome, self-assured young chap he has become".

Neither she nor Robert Jobson seem surprised that the future King and Queen chose Eton College for Prince George. Jennie thinks that William and Kate "fervently believe" that it's where their son "will feel safe and secure" and notes that it's close to their Forest Lodge home.

Eton College is only ten minutes' drive from Windsor Castle too and even though he won't be able to go home whenever he wants, Prince George has the comfort of knowing the general area. That's not to say it'll be totally easy for then-13-year-old George or his parents and siblings.

Robert previously stressed that the Waleses are a "tight family unit" and "it will be like having an empty seat at the table" when he's not there. Once he's used to it, though, Robert believes it will be the perfect setting for the next five years.

Writing in the Daily Mail, the royal expert claimed, "Eton will be a challenge, but being close to home, in the shadow of Windsor Castle will help. The environment will protect him like it did his father who thrived there."

During his time at Eton, the Prince of Wales's privacy was largely respected by the press in return for a few set photographs and interviews. He got to grow from teenager to adult, free from the intense scrutiny he faces now. Prince George will hopefully get the same thing and after his 13th birthday and before he heads to school, an announcement may possibly be made.

Either way, Prince George is preparing for a period of big change and has his birthday and the rest of the summer holidays to enjoy before starting at his new school.

The Prince and Princess of Wales knew before Prince George was born in July 2013 that their experience of parenthood was going to be different to most. They introduced their baby son to the world on the steps outside St Mary's Hospital and Kate has admitted that she and William had "tried to practice" a difficult moment.

The Prince of Wales took charge of strapping little George into his car seat and securing him safety in the family's vehicle. Doing this with the eyes of the world's media upon him wasn't easy and on the Happy Mum, Happy Baby podcast, Kate described using a doll to prepare for it.

"We were like 'What do we do?... in a swaddle?'. 'How's this supposed to work?!'" she told host Giovanna Fletcher in 2020. "We even tried to practice with a little baby, like a little doll, at home".

She admitted "it just never works out the way you planned it so it was quite hard to do that on the world's stage" but added that her husband "did a very good job". By that point the new mum was "keen to get home" with George and William, so she was likely relieved it went so well.

The Princess talked openly about how she had "all the memories of being in hospital because of being sick" when she suffered with Hyperemesis Gravidarum during her pregnancy. She didn't want to "hang around" there and "was really desperate to get home and get back to normality."

Even so, she knew that being at home could be a challenge too. Kate explained she's heard stories from mothers who "took their child out of the car seat and put it on the sofa and didn't want to touch it" because they were so worried about accidentally doing the "wrong thing".

After returning home with her husband and son, the Princess of Wales didn't make a public appearance for another month whilst they spent time as a family and adjusting to parenthood. Unusually for a future Queen, Kate didn't have a full-time nanny at first.

The way she and William confirmed Prince George's birth was also very different too. He was born third in the royal line of succession and the new mum apparently "insisted, with her husband's backing, that the Palace wait four hours" before making the announcement.

According to royal author Christopher Andersen in his book, Kate! The Courage, Grace, and Power of the Woman Who Will Be Queen, this was "so that they could savour the moment in private 'as any young family would.'"

A royal press release was shared that evening and a formal notice of George's birth was also displayed in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace. The first official pictures of Prince George were taken in the garden of the Middleton family home in Berkshire by the Princess of Wales's father Michael.

This could be seen as another way that the Waleses were doing things differently and trying to have more privacy in this special time. A family friend previously claimed to the Daily Mail that Michael proposed the idea and wanted to "organize a stress-free photoshoot" and "save them the bother of getting in a photographer".

"It meant the nervous new parents could stop any time they wanted," they alleged.

It won't be long before school's out for the summer in the UK and that means that the Prince and Princess of Wales will be taking a break from royal duties to enjoy quality time with George, Charlotte and Louis. Although they'll probably go and see King Charles at Balmoral during the holidays, I'd imagine the Waleses will also have a sunnier trip planned.

Prince William has spoken about loving the Isles of Scilly and they've been to Mustique and Jordan as a family before too. Wherever they go, they'll stay under the radar and travelling will change in a surprising way for Prince William and George in the future.

These two will be able to avoid the passport line completely one day thanks to a royal privilege King Charles currently has. Unlike everyone else, he doesn't ever have to worry about forgetting his passport - because he doesn't need one.

British passports are issued in the name of the Sovereign and the first page declares, "His Britannic Majesty's Secretary of State requests and requires in the name of His Majesty all those whom it may concern to allow the bearer to pass freely".

When Prince William and Prince George each become King, British passports will be issued in their names and they'll no longer need a passport either. Travelling might get even quicker and easier for them as a result, though Kate, Charlotte and Louis would still have to always carry a passport when they're going abroad.

Since the Waleses are so high in the royal line of succession I'd expect travelling to be quicker for them than the average person anyway. Even so, not having a passport means there's one less thing to potentially forget or panic about renewing.

It can surely only make the process smoother for work trips and personal holidays alike when there's already a lot of things to remember. For a start, members of the Royal Family are believed to always pack a black outfit with them in case tragedy strikes.

Queen Elizabeth didn't have one ready during her visit to Kenya when her father King George VI passed away suddenly in 1952. By the time she left the plane in the UK she was dressed respectfully in black, as an outfit was reportedly brought on board for her.

The Prince and Princess of Wales likely also pack appropriate clothes for the activities they all love doing as a family. The children are just as sporty as their parents and on Heart Breakfast in May, William explained what they get up to when they go to the Isles of Scilly.

Calling it a "place like no other" the dad-of-three explained, "I used to come here a lot when I was younger. My parents brought us down here and it is a place like no other. The children can go where they want, it's completely safe. It's beautiful."

Hinting that George, Charlotte and Louis might love going for a swim he added, "The water is crystal clear. There's so much to do down here for a family. It's fantastic."

With so many fond memories of the Isles already, it wouldn't be a shock if William and Kate paid them another visit with the kids this summer.

Prince George has already been boarding whilst he’s been at Lambrook School but from September things are going to be looking very different for him. Putting an end to years of speculation, Kensington Palace finally confirmed that George will start at Eton College next term.

This is where Prince William went and it was always hotly tipped to be George’s next school, even though he and his siblings have been co-educated so far. To some people, the Prince and Princess of Wales’s choice might sound like they’re following tradition for tradition’s sake even when it goes against their approach so far.

However, as someone who’s written about the Royal Family for years I can see how George going to Eton will actually help not just him, but Charlotte and Louis too.

The separation might actually be a good thing and the Waleses are so close that I doubt it will affect their bond. As Eton is exclusively all-boys, Charlotte won’t be following in her big brother’s footsteps when she turns 13 and by the time Louis starts at his next school in September 2031, George will have just left Eton.

This means there’ll be no overlap even if Louis goes to the prestigious school too. All three children are growing up in the glare of the public eye, high up in the royal line of succession and they’re generally seen all together.

Going to different schools or starting at different times gives them a good amount of space to discover who they are as people outside of this "Wales children" identity. Prince George, Charlotte and Louis can have the freedom to be individuals and enjoy their own experiences that the others won’t have as they move into their formative teenage years.

They’ve probably already started with this at Lambrook but attending different secondary schools could help with this sense of independence even more. We have to remember that a bit of space isn’t necessarily a bad thing for siblings as they get older.

Prince William and Harry were both at Eton at the same time and in an interview the Duke of Sussex claimed that his older brother asked him to pretend they didn’t know each other. The Waleses are also incredibly close so taking different paths isn’t likely to hurt this bond.

Speaking previously to Hello! royal author Robert Jobson said George going to a new school is a "chance for him to spread his wings and take part in things in the afternoons and evenings instead of going home to Mum and Dad".

Both William and Kate went to boarding schools too and know what it’s like. That doesn’t mean the move won’t be an adjustment for the family at first, and Robert added, "They are such a tight family unit; George will be missed. It will be like having an empty seat at the table."

While Prince William was at Eton the media also abided by strict regulations and generally left him be aside from specific, organised photo opportunities. If the same thing happens with George, Charlotte and Louis then they’ll have privacy to enjoy their new, different paths.

Ultimately, I do think that the Prince and Princess of Wales had the futures of all three of their children in mind when they enrolled Prince George at Eton. It might be hard at first but he, Charlotte and Louis might all feel the benefits in the long run.

The Prince and Princess of Wales have finally confirmed which school Prince George will be attending from September and despite speculation for months that the couple would break with tradition, he's following in his dad's footsteps.

On 16th June, just under a month before George bids a bittersweet farewell to Lambrook School, Kensington Palace announced that the future King will be starting at Eton College in the autumn.

Both Prince William and Prince Harry attended the prestigious Windsor boarding school and it exclusively admits boys aged 13-18. It's only around a twenty minute drive from William and Kate's family home, Forest Lodge, which might have been a significant factor in their decision.

I can't say I was surprised to hear that Eton would have the honour of educating Prince George, even though there have been countless reports of the Waleses visiting other schools. For many people, Marlborough College was a strong contender as it was both Kate's former school and a co-educational option.

So far, the Prince and Princess of Wales have forged their own path with their children and George, Charlotte and Louis have all been educated together which was rather rare for members of the Royal Family.

Now for the first time Prince George will break away and although Prince Louis will likely join him when he's older, William and Kate will have to choose a separate school for Charlotte when she's 13. In my mind it was always inevitable that George would tread a similar path to his dad.

Eton College has already educated one future King and has shown it can provide a safe, secure learning environment for someone so high up in the royal line of succession. When trips home are permitted, George can get home very easily to see the rest of the family and this might make the transition from his small prep school to Eton a bit less daunting.

Although he's been boarding a bit already at Lambrook - something Prince William recently confirmed during a visit to Cornwall - living completely away from home at a young age is a lot to get to grips with. The move to his new school won't just affect George, but his whole family too.

Royal author Robert Jobson previously told Hello! it will be an "emotional time" when the young royal "spread[s] his wings".

He went on, "William used to go to visit the late Queen and Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor while he was at Eton College, but that has to be organised. You can't just pop home when you want to."

"They are such a tight family unit; George will be missed," Robert declared. "It will be like having an empty seat at the table."

However, he's in good hands and Prince William reportedly said around his 18th birthday that he "really enjoyed being able to go about Eton as just another student". He also expressed gratitude for how the media generally left him alone whilst he was a pupil. Hopefully Prince George will have a similar outlook after his five years there.

Today, thousands lined the streets around Whitehall to celebrate King Charles’s official birthday with the annual Trooping the Colour parade.

Joining His Majesty for his official birthday were family members including his sister, Princess Anne and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, Prince William and his family, Catherine, Princess of Wales and their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

And while royal fans have got used to the Waleses youngest son, Prince Louis, stealing the show with his high-energy hijinks and funny expressions, it was actually Prince George who was caught sharing a laugh with his mum on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after a stray sneeze caught him by surprise.

George joined his siblings, Charlotte and Louis, in the Ascot Landau carriage, riding with their mother, and happily waving away at the well-wishers lined up and down The Mall.

But after reaching the palace and appearing on the balcony for the RAF flypast, George was caught trying to suppress a sneeze, leading to some very amusing - and relatable - facial expressions. When it got the better of him, he looked to his mother with a grin as the pair chuckled away.

Princess Catherine and her three children all matched for the big occasion, with shades of baby blue represented in each of their outfits. As Colonel of the Irish Guards, the Princess of Wales paired a baby blue outfit by Catherine Walker with a hat by Philip Treacy and the Irish Guards brooch.

George and Louis’s ties perfectly matched their mum’s stunning coat - itself evocative of an outfit the late Princess Diana wore back in 1987 - and Princess Charlotte’s beautiful white gown - reportedly designed by Alessandra Rich - had subtle pops of powder blue embroidery.

Charlotte also matched her mum with both of them wearing a three-strand pearl bracelet. Pearls were, of course, also a favourite accessory of Charlotte’s late great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.

The Princess of Wales was also caught sneezing during the ceremony, which might be a result of her reported allergy to horses.

Back in 2011, Clarisa Ru, wife of Santa Barbara Polo Club president Wesley Ru, told People (per HELLO) "[Kate] said she’s been riding horses for a while and she hopes to play polo one day. She said, 'I'm actually allergic to them, but the more time one spends with them the less allergic you become.'"

Along with the Wales family, Duchess Sophie and Prince Edward were there to celebrate the annual parade, joining Prince Richard and Birgitte, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent, the first cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth and the current oldest living member of the Royal Family.

Celebrating the monarch’s official birthday in June has been a tradition since 1748, and it became an annual tradition after 1760, during the reign of George III. King Charles’s actual birthday is actually November 14.

Prince Harry might not be a working royal anymore, but he's still one of the highest ranking people in the line of succession, following Prince William and his niece and nephews. He grew up being closely focused upon and now royal biographer Andrew Morton believes that public interest is shifting in George, Charlotte and Louis' favour.

Chatting to the Daily Mail's Senior Editor-at-Large Richard Kay on Palace Confidential, Morton suggested that Harry had a long-standing fear of being "overshadowed" by them. Not only that, but the writer thinks it's already starting to happen.

"The issue that always concerned Prince Harry, that he would be overshadowed by his brother's children, is coming to effect," he alleged. "Because George is looking every inch the very handsome young man and so the big debate will be where are they going to send him to school?"

Prince George turns 13 in July and the amount of speculation over his new school from September shows just how much people are interested in him. Morton, who wrote Diana: Her True Story, thinks Oundle would "fit the bill" if the Waleses want a co-educational private school that Charlotte and Louis could later go to.

Harry and William went to Eton, but the Duke of Sussex has said he "didn't enjoy" it and wanted to be "the bad boy". Morton's claim that Harry "always" worried about being eclipsed comes three years after the Prince admitted to having a very different fear for Charlotte and Louis.

In an interview with The Telegraph, he explained that Prince William "has made it very clear" that his children aren't Harry's responsibility. Even so, he said he still feels one "knowing that out of those three children, at least one will end up like me, the spare. And that hurts, that worries me."

In his memoir, also titled Spare, Harry wrote that he was 20 when he first learned of a remark King Charles allegedly made to Princess Diana after he was born - "Wonderful. You have given me an heir and a spare. You have done your job."

The sense that he grew up somewhat in his older brother's shadow seems to have sparked his concern for Charlotte and/or Louis feeling a similar way about Prince George one day. However, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond believes that Prince William and Kate are likely doing all they can to avoid this situation.

She said in the past, "They have already shown that they have a different and modern attitude to bringing up royal children and I'm sure they will do everything to make Charlotte and Louis feel every bit as special, loved and valued as George."

The Prince of Wales also divulged in The Reluctant Traveler that he's keen to modernise the monarchy and move away from certain "practices".

"I want to create a world in which my son is proud of what we do. A world and a job that actually does impact people's lives for the better," he said. "That is caveated with, I hope we don't go back to some of the practices of the past, that Harry and I had to grow up in. And I'll do everything I can to make sure we don't regress in that situation."

The Princess of Wales has plenty of individual honours, from her royal titles to her military roles, but now she's got one that she can share with her children too. She, Prince George, Charlotte and Louis have all made the shortlist for a prestigious competition - or, at least, a photo of them has.

The judges for the UK Picture Editors Guild Awards have selected a snapshot of the family at the celebrations for the 80th anniversary of VE Day to be in the running for a win. The public can now vote for their favourite of the 21 shortlisted pictures.

Getting chosen at this stage is already a big achievement and this royal photo is an action shot, showing George, Louis and Kate all leaning sideways to get a better view of the flypast. Only Charlotte is standing poised and straight, and her younger brother looks particularly in awe.

Like Trooping the Colour flypasts, this one featured not only the RAF's Red Arrows but current and historic military aircrafts. It's no wonder that George and Louis were desperate to get a good glimpse of them, as they're believed to have been playing "guess the aircraft".

Analysing the Waleses at the time, lip reader Nicola Hickling suggested to Hello! that the Princess of Wales asked her elder son, "What is this, George?" and he replied that he couldn't see it yet. Prince Louis then reportedly chimed in, "It's my turn."

Even Prince William, who previously served in the RAF, got involved in the game and apparently told Queen Camilla, "It's the wrong answer". According to Nicola, she jokingly replied, "Are we playing this still? I need to try harder."

Perhaps the short-listed picture captured a moment of them all trying to identify something else, or they could've merely been excited to see a particular craft. Either way, it's a special snap and it sums up the Princes' enthusiasm and Princess Charlotte's calm, self-assured nature.

She's the one who's often been spotted telling her brothers what to do at big public events. At Trooping the Colour 2024 the young Princess seemingly told Louis, "Put your arms by your side". This is the typical pose for the royals during the National Anthem in particular and Charlotte was standing impeccably like this in the VE Day picture.

The Waleses (minus Prince William who sadly didn't appear in this specific snap) aren't the only royals in the running to be a UK Picture Editors Guild Award winner.

A picture of King Charles talking to 101-year-old World War II veteran Ruth Barnwell, taken at the tea party to mark VE Day's 80th anniversary, has also been shortlisted. So has an image of Princess Anne looking straight-faced at two sleeping farmers at the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh.

Many of the other pictures focus on more poignant or political events from 2025, including one that depicts the harrowing aftermath of the attack at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester last October.

The winner of the UK Picture Editors Guild Awards will be announced on 30th June and public voting closes at 12pm on 10th June.

The media and fans camped outside the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital for weeks waiting for the Prince and Princess of Wales to welcome their first baby in 2013. Prince George was finally born at 4:24pm on 22nd July and Kate reportedly wanted to keep the news private for a lot longer than the palace usually would.

According to biographer Christopher Andersen, "It was customary to proclaim a royal birth to the waiting world without delay". Interest was especially high since the Waleses’ firstborn would be a future monarch and high in the line of succession.

However, in his book, Kate! The Courage, Grace, and Power of the Woman Who Will Be Queen, Andersen claims that the Princess "insisted, with her husband's backing, that the Palace wait four hours so that they could savour the moment in private 'as any young family would.'"

An official press release was distributed that evening and the traditional formal notice of George's birth was displayed on an easel in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace. For those four hours, William and Kate were free to soak up every moment of being new parents and bonding with their son, before the his birth turned into a public occasion.

Andersen remarks that it had taken a month before King Charles's name was revealed in 1948 and Prince William had been a week old when his was shared. The Waleses had apparently "already settled on a name" but William "in particular was in no rush to let the world at large in on it".

The couple emerged on the steps of the hospital with Prince George a day after he was born and following visits from Carole and Michael Middleton and King Charles and Queen Camilla. When he was asked if their newborn son had a name yet, Prince William replied, "Wait and see."

The next day they confirmed he was called George Alexander Louis. Kate's insistence on delaying the birth announcement was an early indication of her and William's more modern approach to royal life. It also started a new tradition for the family, as they waited a similar amount of time when Charlotte and Louis were born.

Prince Harry and Meghan also left it several hours before sharing the news of Archie's birth in 2019. Making a speedy announcement might be traditional but it makes total sense that they would all want to keep it to themselves for a bit, especially given the very public elements of being a royal parent.

Stepping outside to face a crowd shortly after giving birth and posing for photographs while holding your newborn baby is a situation the rest of us can only imagine.

On the Happy Mum, Happy Baby podcast in 2020, the Princess of Wales reflected on this moment with George and said it was "slightly terrifying, I'm not going to lie".

She said, "Everyone had been so supportive and both William and I were really conscious that this was something that everyone was excited about and you know we're hugely grateful for the support that the public had shown us, and actually for us to be able to share that joy and appreciation with the public, I felt was really important."

"But equally it was coupled with a newborn baby, and inexperienced parents, and the uncertainty of what that held, so there were all sorts of mixed emotions," the Princess added.

Late last year the Prince and Princess of Wales said goodbye to Adelaide Cottage and moved into Forest Lodge, closing one chapter and beginning another after an intensely difficult time. Settling into a new home is always a big change and yet there's another one looming that will arguably affect the family's dynamic a lot more.

Prince William and Kate's children went back to Lambrook School for the summer term on 22nd April, but only two will be returning in the autumn. Prince George turns 13 in July and he'll move to a new school in September, most likely as a boarder.

Royal author Robert Jobson thinks it will be an "emotional time" as the family adjusts to the change. He explained, "It's a chance for him to spread his wings and take part in things in the afternoons and evenings instead of going home to Mum and Dad."

Speaking to Hello!, Robert referenced how both Prince William and Kate both went to boarding schools and "know how it works". However, it's one thing being aware and another experiencing how different things will feel without their eldest son at home.

"William used to go to visit the late Queen and Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor while he was at Eton College, but that has to be organised. You can't just pop home when you want to," he said. "They are such a tight family unit; George will be missed. It will be like having an empty seat at the table."

King Charles and Prince William both boarded and it's hard to imagine Prince George, who is second in the royal line of succession, not following in their footsteps despite rumours over the years.

He's allegedly already been boarding at Lambrook with the blessing of his mum and dad, according to Robert's book, The Windsor Legacy: A Dynasty of Secrets, Scandal and Survival.

"Once [the Princess of Wales] was given the all-clear [with her cancer treatment], William and Catherine made a big call for Prince George's future. At twelve, he is growing up fast and, at his own request, became a weekly boarder at Lambrook School," Robert claimed.

However, if he becomes a full boarder at his next school George won't be able to come home as often. Instead, he'll probably have to wait for designated weekends or breaks to see his parents and siblings. This might take some getting used to - for everyone.

Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis have been going to the same school as their big brother for four years as well as seeing him at home. The household routine will have to shift and, as Robert noted, they are a "tight family unit" so it could be sad at first.

The Prince and Princess of Wales are focused on giving George, Charlotte and Louis a stable, loving home and William has been clear about how his family is the "most important thing".

"If you don't start the children off now with a happy, healthy, stable home, I feel you're setting them up for a bit of a hard time and a fall," he said in Apple TV+'s The Reluctant Traveler. So it's about making sure we feel we can look after our family and our children in a way we feel is best for their future."

What’s in a name? Well, when you're a member of the Royal Family a lot of pressure is on parents to pick the perfect moniker and ahead of Prince George's birth there was huge amounts of speculation over what he'd be called. A lot of time and laughter reportedly went into choosing his name.

However, it's now been suggested that Kate was enamoured with two different, but connected, names at first. Writing in his upcoming book, William & Catherine, royal author and editor Russell Myers has claimed, "Catherine had her heart set on" Alexander for a boy or Alexandra for a girl.

"William had privately voiced his preference for having a girl, and was keen to incorporate a tribute to his late mother, most likely in the form of a middle name," Myers added.

The Prince of Wales later got his wish when Princess Charlotte was born and she was given the middle names Elizabeth and Diana after Queen Elizabeth and Princess Diana. Kate also got to use Alexander, as Prince George has Alexander and Louis as middle names.

Sadly, Alexandra wasn't to be for the Princess, and remains unused. While agreeing on a name can be stressful for any couple, Myers’s book also suggests that William and Kate had some fun throughout the process.

His book claims, "The couple had been given a book of baby names by a close friend, which they spent hours thumbing through - they often ended up in fits of laughter after one or the other had presented a more left-field suggestion".

The future King, showing off his prankster side, would reportedly start meetings with his press team by floating fake name ideas for their first child. Apparently, Prince William would blurt out suggestions like "What do you think about Rodney for a boy, or maybe Graham?"

Myers suggests the couple decided to keep the gender of their first born a secret, something that was widely reported at the time. As Kate reached the fifth month of pregnancy, he states the royal couple started buying baby clothes in neutral colours.

After having Prince George, it was an unexpected member of the family who finally helped the future king get his name. Prince William and Kate are reported to have enlisted the help of their dog, Lupo, to pick between two names.

According to The Times, the couple wrote down their favourite names for a boy on pieces of paper and arranged them on the floor. Lupo made a beeline for George and that was that. When Prince Louis was born he was also given family-connected names.

Prince Louis has the middle names Arthur, which is a middle name he shares with Prince William, and Charles, a nod to his grandfather, King Charles.

From her battle with cancer to life under the spotlight, it’s not a stretch to say that the Princess of Wales has faced a tough few years - and that’s not even taking into account the usual stresses that come with being a busy, working mum. The future Queen’s life would likely feel overwhelming for anyone, so it’s touching to hear how Prince George helps to keep her "playful".

The Princess revealed this heart-warming nugget about her bond with her eldest son during a visit to Family Action's Children's Trauma Therapy Service in Bradford. The charity aims to help children and their families recover from trauma with a focus on art, music and movement therapy.

Discussing Kate's visit with HELLO!, a senior therapist at the service, Stuart Murray-Borbjerg, recalled how playfulness can often be "lost" after going through trauma.

"Something that's lost through traumatic experiences is that sense of playfulness and joy which just comes back when you're making music or you're drawing together," he explained. "It’s something the Princess said too - that kind of gets lost as adults but [Prince] George keeps her playful."

According to him, "[Catherine] seemed genuinely interested to hear about the family's experience of the service and the impact of it."

The idea of 12-year-old Prince George keeping his mum "playful" is adorable and also shows that despite being the eldest of her children, he's still as playful as ever himself. Creating and nurturing a sense of normalcy, joy and creativity is something that's incredibly important to the Prince and Princess of Wales when it comes to their family.

During the Princess’s visit to the centre, she got to experience some of the work they do first hand and took part in a creative therapy session. Alongside Kate's sweet George confession, she also apparently detailed how her children have taken up musical pursuits themselves.

"I think she said one plays the guitar and one plays the drums," Stuart claimed, and although he didn't detail who does what, we have a pretty good idea.

In 2022, while visiting a concert practice at Cardiff Castle in Wales before the Platinum Jubilee Celebration Concert, the Princess of Wales revealed that Prince George was taking electric guitar lessons. Prince William and Kate have also shared that Prince Louis, is unsurprisingly for the energetic youngster, taken with a louder instrument.

At the Tusk Awards in 2024, the Prince of Wales told told Rolling Stones icon Ronnie Wood, "My youngest is learning the drums. That’s why I spend my entire life with my fingers in my ears". Given that neither William nor Kate have said anything about George and Louis loving piano, it seems only Princess Charlotte has followed in her mum's footsteps with learning this instrument.

We got to witness her budding talent for themselves for the first time last Christmas. Charlotte joined her mother for a special duet on the piano at the start of the Princess of Wales’s Together at Christmas carol service broadcast. In the pre-recorded clip, the mother-daughter duo played Holm Sound by Erland Cooper on the piano.

Fans first witnessed Kate's own talent on the keys during the same annual Christmas event a few years prior in 2021, when the Princess surprised everyone by joining singer Tom Walker for a rendition of For Those Who Can’t Be Here.

There are only a handful of occasions each year where we get to see Prince George out in public with his parents and Trooping the Colour is arguably the most high profile of these. The 12-year-old usually travels with his mum and siblings by carriage before joining the rest of the Royal Family on the Buckingham Palace balcony to watch the RAF flypast.

Although the entire parade is televised, it’s impossible to make out most of what the royal say to each other and this is when lip-readers’ skills are put to the test. According to reports, lip-reading expert Jeremy Freeman spotted Prince George turning to Kate and calling her "Momma" at Trooping the Colour back in 2022.

This adorable moniker is slightly different to "Mummy", which we’ve heard Charlotte call the Princess of Wales in the past. In a special twist, Momma/Mama is also a direct equivalent to what the Wales kids famously call Prince William - Papa.

George, Charlotte and Louis favour this more traditional form over ‘Dad’ and they aren’t the only ones. King Charles is "Pa" to both of his sons and "Papa" and "Mama" seem like the perfect partnership of names for the Prince and Princess of Wales now their children are a bit older.

Whilst George’s name for Kate had to be deciphered, we heard her pet name for Louis very distinctly in a clip that gathered attention on social media in 2023. The mum-of-three addressed her youngest son as "Lou-Bugs" as she told him to put a stick in the fire after melting marshmallows to make S’mores.

Meanwhile, Prince William openly referred to Charlotte as "Mignonette" in a video showing the family’s visit to see Kate’s Back to Nature Garden at RHS Chelsea in 2019. Whether or not these sweet nicknames have stuck, we might never know, but they give an insight into their bonds at a specific moment in time in any case.

At least some of the Royal Family’s childhood names were carried through to adulthood, like the late Queen Elizabeth’s moniker "Lilibet". Prince Philip called her by this affectionate nickname and now it lives on as the first name of their great-granddaughter Princess Lilibet.

Prince George’s use of "Momma" for Kate will likely stand the test of time too and the same could be true of his own nickname.

For years now it’s been suggested that the Prince and Princess of Wales started calling their son "Tips" after friends dubbed him PG for Prince George. PG Tips is a well-known brand of tea in the UK and given that we’re known as a nation of tea-drinkers, it seems quite apt that George was known as "Tips". Before he was born, though, the Waleses are said to have lovingly referred to him as "our little grape".

Kate had also been very keen on another name for a son initially, with royal expert Katie Nicholl writing in 2013 that the Princess “apparently suspected it was a boy and had set her heart on the name Alexander”. In the end, she and Prince William decided upon George Alexander Louis for their firstborn and it suits him perfectly.

The Princess of Wales’s first solo engagement of the year was a celebration of sporting talent as she hosted a reception for England’s world-cup winning Women’s Rugby Team at Windsor Castle. Dressed head-to-toe in fiery red to echo their team colours, Kate excitedly chatted about her children’s love for the sport and ended up making a candid admission about her eldest son.

Twelve-year-old Prince George is a keen player and when the Wales family play rugby at home together, Kate likes to stay well clear of his tackles.

"It’s such a great game," the Princess said. "Actually, they shouldn’t necessarily pigeonhole boys and girls into particular sports too early. Obviously, as they get physically stronger - George, now in fact, at home, I do *not* want to get tackled by him!"

She added, "But up to a certain age, it’s great. You can get into sports like swimming, you know, at school is very much co-ed."

Prince George is only going to get stronger as he grows up, so Kate’s days of playing rugby with her son might be numbered if she wants to avoid being boisterously tackled. He’s been honing his skills over the past few years, as in 2022 George said he was "learning to tackle", ahead of a Wales vs England Six Nations match.

Turning to his mum he quipped, "But I haven’t tackled you yet", which a laughing Kate quickly countered - "Yes you have!"

This year’s Six Nations tournament will kick off in February and with his mum Patron of England’s governing body, Rugby Football Union, and William Patron of Welsh Rugby, George’s loyalties are divided. The Women’s Six Nations starts in April and the Red Roses are the reigning champions so they'll be looking to add to their accolades.

Kate - and George - will likely be following both championships avidly and I’d expect the Princess of Wales to attend at least one match for each of the England teams. She was vocal in her support for the Red Roses ahead of their Rugby World Cup final in September 2025, sharing a picture of herself with the team wearing a red cowboy hat.

Given how much of a rugby fan Prince George is, he might get another outing with his mum and dad to watch some matches over the next few months too. Whilst he’s old enough for standard rugby now, at the reception Kate told the Red Roses that Prince Louis plays touch rugby.

Princess Charlotte sadly doesn’t get to enjoy rugby at school like her brothers and it was this conversation which led to the Princess of Wales’s revelation about George. At Lambrook, cricket and football are now compulsory for girls, though seemingly rugby isn’t. That doesn’t stop her from getting involved in games at home, though.

"Charlotte is playing rugby but at home with the family, so she isn't yet at school," she said. "Rugby is so accessible; Louis is playing touch rugby and it's such a great game."

In touch rugby, instead of tackling someone, you touch the player with the ball with one or two hands. This minimal-contact version originated in Australia and is safer and more focused on agility.

The last four years have been full of immense changes and challenges for the Wales family and there’s another one edging closer. Prince George is at the heart of it and whilst royal expert Katie Nicholl believes he’s "more than ready" to face another life upheaval, it will still be a huge "transition" for him, his parents and siblings.

We all know how fast time flies and on 4th July 2026 George will finish his final ever term at Lambrook, before starting at his next school in September.

"George’s new school will be a really big transition for them as a family," Katie explained. "Change is on the horizon, but this is a family that has not been afraid of change. I think George will be more than ready for this next stage. I know the couple have looked at independent day schools, but I think George is likely to go to a boarding school, like William and Kate did."

She predicts he’ll attend either William or Kate’s former boarding schools - Eton in Berkshire, which is boys only, and Marlborough in Wiltshire, which is co-educational. So far, the Prince and Princess of Wales have steered away from royal tradition and chosen co-ed schools for George, Charlotte and Louis, though Eton is closer to their new "forever home" Forest Lodge.

Katie went on to tell OK!, "William and Kate will have spent a lot of time making this choice. They will have very much involved George in the decision, and will be making sure the school can give him the best start in life, for his future."

Even though it’s "really important" to them both that their son has as "ordinary a secondary school life as he possibly can" for someone who’s second in the royal line of succession, it’s still going to be a big wrench for them, Charlotte and Louis.

"They’ve always been so close," Katie said. "In their young lives, the children have moved from London to Windsor, had the transition when their great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II died, and coped with their mother’s illness. They have been through a lot at a young age, but they are probably very resilient."

"I think they are very secure in their home life and that George is probably very excited about this next stage. And that’s full credit to William and Kate," she added.

Prince George has already reportedly been getting a taste of life as a boarder, perhaps to help inform the decision he and his parents will make. In The Windsor Legacy: A Dynasty of Secrets, Scandal and Survival, royal author Robert Jobson claimed that the 12-year-old royal wanted to spend weekdays living at Lambrook School.

According to him, once the Princess of Wales received the "all-clear" amidst her cancer treatment, she and William "made a big call" and allowed this.

"At twelve, he is growing up fast and, at his own request, became a weekly boarder at Lambrook School," Robert claimed, adding, "He stayed there from Monday to Friday, living among his friends, and went home for weekends, a balance between independence and family."

This experience will have helped him get used to the idea of boarding school, which might make the "big transition" a little less daunting for George if he does attend a secondary school like Eton or Marlborough where he’d be living away from home.

However and wherever the Prince and Princess of Wales saw-in 2026, the couple weren’t about to let it go unmarked on their social media accounts, even if their actual celebrations remained private. Wishing everyone a happy new year, William and Catherine posted a special photo for each of the last twelve months.

Some were poignant, like the picture of the couple commemorating Holocaust Memorial Day, and others depicted joyful moments such as Trooping the Colour. As a Royal Editor, my reaction to them might be a little different to most people and whilst each of the twelve snaps spoke volumes, what *wasn’t* in them also tells a story. It struck me immediately that Prince William and Princess Catherine included only one picture featuring any of their children.

The May photo showed William and Prince George talking with veterans as they marked the 80th anniversary of VE Day. This and many of the other pictures were taken at occasions where none of the Wales kids were present, but the July one at Wimbledon only showed Catherine presenting the trophy to winner Jannik Sinner.

Both George and Princess Charlotte were there watching the final with their parents. I think the selection of photos without either of their two youngest children is very interesting as it ties in with the Prince and Princess of Wales’s general approach.

It’s clearly twelve pictures that are very much focused on their royal roles and public duties, drawing a line of distinction between their private and work lives. It’s possible that an exception was made for Prince George because not only was he attending an official tea party, but he’s also second in the royal line of succession.

He will one day be King and is gradually being introduced to public life in preparation. Other than this, George didn’t feature in the snapshots either and I see this as a reflection of how he, Charlotte and Louis are being given the space and privacy to be children and enjoy their lives away from the royal spotlight.

If Prince William and Catherine were choosing "unseen favourite" pictures from last year more generally, their children would no doubt feature heavily. Instead, they opted to shine a spotlight on certain occasions and this also in turn will raise awareness of causes and organisations they champion.

It also helps to define that difference between them as members of the Royal Family and them as a mum and dad. In Apple TV+’s The Reluctant Traveler, the Prince of Wales told Eugene Levy that "the most important thing in [his] life is family" and this is why a good work/family life balance is key.

"If you don't start the children off now with a happy, healthy, stable home, I feel you're setting them up for a bit of a hard time and a fall," he declared. "So it’s about making sure we feel we can look after our family and our children in a way we feel is best for their future."

Only sharing certain pictures of Prince George, Charlotte and Louis could potentially be part of this. They feature in photos to mark their birthdays, Christmas, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, though outside of this they’re not often seen on their parents' social media. This makes a lot of sense privacy-wise and it’s interesting to see this come through in the New Year post.

Prince George and Prince William have made several father-son appearances over the years but their latest might just be the most heart-warming of all. Mirroring a visit the Prince of Wales made with his late mother Princess Diana 32 years ago, he and George went to The Passage's St Vincent's centre in London.

William has been Patron of the homelessness charity since 2019 and has described how his first visit in 1993 "left a deep and lasting impression" on him. Now George has followed in his father's footsteps and helped volunteers and members of staff to prepare Christmas lunch.

According to Mick Clarke, The Passage's Chief Executive, there was one aspect of the royal's visit that really stood out as "one of the nicest things". Like his dad, George was utterly "relaxed" and himself throughout his time there, making it feel like "a family".

Reflecting upon what it was like having George and William helping in the centre's kitchen, Mike said, "Again, that was absolutely lots of banter. William was doing the sprouts, putting them into big trays because they were going to be steamed. George was doing Yorkshire puddings and things. And there is a lovely image that captures myself, Claudette [Head Chef] and the two of them. It's just beautiful. And for me, it just shows how relaxed William is."

"He's always very relaxed at The Passage. It always kind of feels like a family, really. But it also, I think, shows how relaxed George was. And I think that was one of the nicest things," he added.

The Chief Executive also said the 12-year-old was "well up for it" when he was told about the different things that he could help with. In this respect, he was "very much like his dad" and he "just wanted to crack on".

Photos from the visit really do show how "relaxed" Prince George was and the Prince and Princess of Wales's Instagram account also shared a post depicting William's first visit with Princess Diana and this new one. Not only that, but the final snap also included a peak at the royal's signatures in the visitor book - Diana in 1993, William in 1993 and now George in 2025.

For Mike this moment "felt full circle" and it's clear that the Prince of Wales is continuing his mother's legacy. The Passage supports people who are experiencing, or are at risk of experiencing, homelessness in London and provide services and advocate for those who feel they aren't heard, to bring about systematic change.

Working to end homelessness is one of the causes the future king champions most as a senior royal and he launched his Homewards programme in 2023 and is also Patron of Centrepoint.

In his first interview as Prince of Wales, William discussed how a visit to Centrepoint made him think about when he would bring George, Charlotte and Louis to a homeless organisation.

He resolved that it would be when he could "balance it with their schooling" and explained how it's the "right thing to do" to "expose the children, at the right stage, in the right dialogue, so they have an understanding" of homelessness.

"They [will] grow up knowing that actually, do you know what, some of us are very fortunate, some of us need a little bit of a helping hand, some of us need to do a bit more where we can to help others improve their lives," William declared.

A self-confessed "list-maker" who starts planning Christmas well in advance, Carole Middleton makes sure there’s festive spirit in abundance when it comes to her Grade II listed house in Berkshire.

The Princess of Wales’s mum, who lives with husband Michael in the sprawling country manor, previously revealed that she goes all out when it comes to decorating for Christmas with not one, not two, but three Christmas trees. And there’s a sweet, thoughtful reason for this that showcases how hands-on she is as a grandmother.

Each tree has a distinct purpose. One tree is the fashionable, themed one and the second is a "memory" tree, decorated with family decorations and heirlooms going right back. But the third Christmas tree is where the children have free reign to decorate it however they want.

This is a fun idea to unlock a child’s creativity, and one that proves why her former party planning business, Party Pieces, was so successful. It also allows the likes of Prince George, Charlotte and Louis to get fully involved and feel part of the Christmas prep process with their granny, especially as they often spend Christmas Day itself at Sandringham House in Norfolk with the Royal Family.

At the time she revealed her tradition, the Wales kids would likely have dominated the 'children's tree' decorating. The only other grandchild Carole had in 2018 was Arthur Matthews, Pippa Middleton’s eldest, who was born that October.

By December 2025, Carole’s family has expanded, with more grandchildren around to decorate their tree. Pippa's daughters Grace and Rose and James's son Inigo are now there to lend a helping hand.

Decorating the tree is one thing, but Carole also likes to get her grandchildren taking responsibility for other things from a young age. She's keen on getting them involved in the kitchen work too, "chopping and stirring" as early as possible.

It’s all part of her focus on being a hands-on grandmother and she credits her mother-in-law with inspiring her approach. She described Michael's mum as being a "wonderful role model" to her and someone she "tried to emulate". Now Carole Middleton is inspiring the younger generations.

She's also been a big source of support and insight for her son-in-law, Prince William too. Psychiatrist Max Pemberton has previously claimed that Carole's impact on William has allowed him to have a sense of "ordinary life", embracing new traditions.

"We all know how tricky life with in-laws can be. And yet sometimes, they provide an alternative type of family to ours, which is welcome," Max declared. "It's said William considers Carole a second mum. Of course, he lost his own at a tender age, so Carole may represent that maternal figure he's lacked."

"The embrace of a new family, with its different perspectives and traditions, can be very healthy and help us to flourish," he added.

The Princess of Wales is said to have made a huge decision concerning her eldest child after completing chemotherapy last year. The mum-of-three confirmed the news in a moving video by Will Warr released last September and has eased back into royal duties since then, undertaking major appearances both solo and with Prince William.

The couple’s children were also rarely seen in 2024, though according to royal biographer Robert Jobson, George’s life changed rather dramatically after Kate’s chemotherapy finished. Writing in The Windsor Legacy: A Dynasty of Secrets, Scandal and Survival, the expert suggested that she and William granted George’s request to spend weekdays living at Lambrook School.

"Once she was given the all-clear, William and Catherine made a big call for Prince George’s future. At twelve, he is growing up fast and, at his own request, became a weekly boarder at Lambrook School," Robert claimed, adding that the Prince was "staying in a designated boarding house starting in autumn".

Until then, all three of the Wales kids had been non-boarders and much has been made in the press over the years about whether or not they’ll go on to attend boarding school. Reports have even alleged that this is a matter of contention between Prince William and Catherine.

However, Robert’s remark, which is cited to an interview with a senior royal source, seems to indicate that both parents are happy to give Prince George a taste of a boarding school experience, without fully committing. The biographer adds that the 12-year-old lived at Lambrook "from Monday to Friday, living among his friends" and went home for weekends.

This gave him a "balance between independence and family". Neither the Prince nor Princess of Wales have publicly commented on George’s boarding, but if he did start, it’s possible that this has continued and in September 2025 the Prince began his final year at the prep school.

The future Queen is a hands-on mum to George, Charlotte and Louis and not seeing her eldest child during the week after going through one of the toughest times of her life could be seen as a big sacrifice for Kate. Still, with the history of royals attending boarding school it seems almost inevitable that the 12-year-old will live away from home as a student eventually.

Having her family close by as she underwent chemotherapy was likely a big source of comfort to the Princess, though working out how to tell the kids about her illness took time. She shared as much in the video confirming her diagnosis and the future King recently shed more light on how they approached things.

Speaking to Brazilian TV host Luciano Huck ahead of the Earthshot Prize Awards 2025 ceremony, Prince William explained, "Sometimes you feel you're oversharing with the children. But most of the time, hiding stuff from them doesn't work".

"And so explaining how they feel, why that's happening, giving them other viewpoints as to why they might be feeling like they are sometimes helps give them a bigger picture, and they can relax more into it rather than being really anxious about 'what are you hiding from me'?" the Prince added.

"There's a lot more questions when there's no answers," he said. "But it's always a balancing act."

Prince William and Princess Catherine have a strict no-phone policy for all of their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

However, that could all be about to change with a huge milestone coming up for their eldest son and future King.

While speaking to Brazilian TV host Luciano Huck during his visit to Brazil for the COP30 UN climate change conference, Prince William shared that George could get his first phone when he heads off to secondary school next year.

During his chat in Brazil, William revealed that none of his children have a mobile phone, hinting that the reason could be how "children end up seeing things on the internet that they shouldn’t."

He added, "It is really hard. Our children don't have phones. When George moves on to secondary school, maybe he'll have one with limited access. We talk to him and explain why we don't think it's right."

This isn’t the first time the issue of phones has come up. Previously, when appearing on the Apple TV series The Reluctant Traveller with Eugene Levy, William discussed how important it is for them to spend time as a family, free from distractions and devices.

He told the Schitt’s Creek star, "We sit and chat, it’s really important. None of our children have any phones, which we’re very strict about."

This is when he revealed what the youngsters do with all that energy and focus instead - sharing that his youngest, Louis, was "obsessed with trampolining".

The Prince of Wales joked that Louis and big sister Charlotte "end up jumping up and down on the trampoline, beating each other up, most of the time."

He added, "Apparently, there is an art to it."

Speaking more on their hobbies, it’s clear that the three children are taking after their sporty parents. William was a keen swimmer and water polo player during university, and Kate is known to be adept at most sports, including tennis.

William shared that "Charlotte does her netball as well and her ballet and so keeping them busy with sports and being outdoors is really important. They’re trying to learn musical instruments. I’m not sure how successful we’re being with that."

Prince George joined his grandfather, King Charles III, and mother, Catherine, Princess of Wales, at this year's Festival of Remembrance in London's Royal Albert Hall in what many royal fans considered something of a surprise appearance.

It is understood to be 12-year-old George's first time attending the annual concert, which pays tribute to the veterans of the world wars, as well as those who have served the country and commonwealth in other conflicts, past and present.

Prince William wasn’t present as he was travelling back from the COP30 UN climate change summit in Brazil, which left an opportunity for George, who is second in the line of succession, to step up and get a feel for what his future will look like.

This is not a coincidence, and follows a trend in Prince George joining his parents at more engagements this year, as one royal expert suggests William and Kate are preparing their eldest for "public life".

Royal commentator Robert Jobson told HELLO! that George’s appearance marks the latest example of William and Catherine "preparing him for public life".

He explained, "Kids can find it difficult to meet people, shake their hands and look them in the eye, but he does it very well. I think what they're trying to achieve is that he's relaxed in that sort of situation, and I thought it was very successful.

"I think they're trying to be careful not to overwhelm him, because he's at a delicate age. But it's very important, given that the late Queen is no longer here, to have that continuity going forward."

Another royal author, Robert Hardman, who wrote The Making of a King: King Charles III and the Modern Monarchy, has previously told PEOPLE, "With George, there's a sense that the priority is that he and his siblings are not put off this, that it's not scary, that it's something that they understand and it’s going to be part of their life."

This is why fans have started to see George at more public duties. In May this year, he attended his first royal tea party at Buckingham Palace, meeting World War II veterans alongside his parents.

George spoke with a 101-year-old veteran during the tea, who appeared to enjoy his opportunity to share stories with the young prince.

Per several reports of the day, the veteran was quoted as telling George, "You know, it's very important you are here today. It's days like this that we should use to talk about things like this, so the younger generation can have some understanding."

Prince William has also opened up about his own hopes and ambitions for the time his eldest son might become king.

Speaking to Eugene Levy for his Apple TV show, The Reluctant Traveller, William told the actor, "I want to create a world in which my son is proud of what we do, a world and a job that actually does impact people’s lives for the better."

Whenever Prince George is seen out with Prince William it’s almost inevitable that a comparison will be drawn between them. Seeing the 12-year-old emulating his dad in his smart suits and ties is adorable and both seem interested in so many of the same things - from football to planes.

However, there’s one particular hobby that Prince George is taking after his mum with. It’s easy to have missed this intriguing detail even if you, like so many of us, eagerly sat down to watch episode 3 of The Reluctant Traveler season 3 on Apple TV+. Prince William chatted to Eugene Levy and gave him a tour of Windsor Castle.

But it was when he was talking about his family that I found myself most intrigued and at one point the Prince casually dropped into conversation that "George loves his football and hockey".

The young royal’s passion for football is well-documented, however I don’t recall hearing about him taking up hockey before now. His mum will no doubt be delighted, as when she was at Marlborough College the Princess of Wales was captain of the school’s field hockey team.

We’ve also seen her showcasing her skills over the years, including in 2012 when she took to the hockey pitch at St Andrew’s School wearing heeled knee high boots. This far from ideal choice of footwear didn’t stop her, though, and it’s clear from the look on Kate’s face whenever she picks up a hockey stick that she genuinely loves the sport.

The Princess of Wales kept up hockey when she was at St Andrew’s University and previously revealed on a special episode of The Good, The Bad & The Rugby podcast that her parents were keen for their children to try different sports.

"I suppose as a family we were just very active. And I can always remember being physical, using our bodies, whether it's walking, climbing the lake district in Scotland [or] swimming from a young age," she said. "[My parents] always encouraged us to be physically active and sporty and they always encouraged us into doing team sports and trying things."

Lambrook School which all three Wales kids attend has an all-weather surface hockey pitch and at prep level all pupils take part in hockey, football, rugby, cricket, netball and athletics. According to them, cricket and football are also now compulsory for girls.

The future Queen remarked upon this in the podcast back in 2023, reflecting on how this means Charlotte has the opportunity to try out sports she didn’t at school.

"Charlotte's playing both [rugby and football] now, and it's really good to see youngsters, particularly girls, playing these types of sports now," Kate declared.

As well as hockey and football, Prince George is also very into rugby and has attended several matches with his parents. He hasn’t publicly declared his loyalty to one specific team, but every time England and Wales play each other he’s faced with a parent supporting either side, with William Patron of Welsh Rugby and Kate of England’s rugby governing bodies.

Although, given Prince George, who is second in the royal line of succession, is set to be Prince of Wales one day, I think that his future allegiance to Wales will be inevitable.

Watch The Reluctant Traveler season 3 on Apple TV+, with new episodes landing every Friday.

There’s no one failsafe trick to being a cool mom, but a sprinkling of magic can certainly help - as the Princess of Wales has proved. She and Prince William have reportedly brightened up George, Charlotte and Louis's autumn already with a very special trip most children could only dream of.

According to the Daily Mail, the couple recently took their three children to visit the Hogsmeade Station set for the new Harry Potter television series. The Wales family allegedly got to experience a bit of the magic up close because part of the set was built in Windsor Great Park, not too far from Adelaide Cottage and very close to their rumoured forever home Forest Lodge.

As well as getting to tour the set, the Wales family are said to have met with some of the cast, including the three young stars who’ll play Harry, Ron and Hermione.

"It was so special," a source who was on set alleged to the publication. "Kate and the children met the young actors and the director on the set. There was only one night of filming there, so it really was a magical ticket."

They continued, "And as for Louis, he got the chance to ride on the train with the driver. He seemed to absolutely love it. It's the dream for most children to step aboard the Hogwarts Express."

As per Marie Claire, another source revealed that they weren’t the only royal children who were supposedly invited to the spellbinding experience. Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie's children are said to have visited the set, too.

"They were busy looking at the Hogwarts Express and it genuinely seemed like a magical time for them," the source shared.

Reflecting on this reported visit, woman&home's Royal Editor, Emma Shacklock says, "As royals there are certain outings that Prince George, Charlotte and Louis get to enjoy that not everyone would, but they're not constant. Prince William and Kate reserve these trips for things they genuinely love, like when George gets to go to watch the football and Charlotte visited the Strictly Come Dancing set. That way they can really appreciate them for the treats that they are."

The Wales children might be very familiar with the plotlines and characters of Harry Potter by now. Queen Camilla previously revealed, as per the Daily Mail, that King Charles once read them to her grandchildren, so it's always possible he's read the novels to George, Charlotte and Louis too.

Meanwhile, more than a decade ago Kate, along with Prince William and Prince Harry attended the official opening of the Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studio Tour. The trio enjoyed letting their inner children run wild, being pictured waving wands and playing with costumes and props from the sets of the original Harry Potter movies.

During this visit in April 2013, Kate was actually pregnant with George - and now he’s nearly a teenager getting to see the franchise get made in a different form alongside his siblings.

Work/life balance is a tricky thing to master at the best of times, and Prince William has the added complication of doing it whilst having an incredibly high-profile, public-facing role. The future King touched on this in his highly-anticipated appearance in Apple TV+’s The Reluctant Traveler when he was asked by Eugene Levy about his 'relatively normal' home life.

The Schitt’s Creek star suggested this started with Prince William and Princess Diana in childhood, and he confirmed this was "definitely" the case.

"I think it’s really important that that atmosphere is created at home, you have to have that feeling of warmth, security, love that all has to be there," he declared. "And that was certainly part of my childhood. My parents got divorced at 8, so that lasted a short period of time but you take that and you learn from it, and you try not to do the same mistakes as your parents. I think we all try to do that."

Like Kate, who launched the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood in 2021 - and perhaps because of her work - William is all-too aware of how "drama and stress" can continue to affect you as an adult, years after the fact.

He said, "I just want to do what’s best for my children, but I know the drama and stress when you’re small really affects you when you’re older."

Prince William has already started to put his experience and learnings into practice with his three children and has made it extremely clear in recent years that his family is his priority.

He and the Princess of Wales are hands-on parents involved in school life and they typically take a step back during school holidays to spend time with George, Charlotte and Louis.

Asked by Eugene Levy if the responsibilities of being first in the royal line of succession equate to a 9-5, the Prince responded, "It doesn’t quite work like that. But I do try to stick to school timetables as much as possible, so most days we’re in and out of school doing drop offs and pick ups. Getting the balance of work and family life right is really important, because for me, the most important thing in my life is family."

With this in mind, he and Kate are determined to provide a "stable home" for their kids at Adelaide Cottage, and, in due course, at Forest Lodge.

"If you don't start the children off now with a happy, healthy, stable home, I feel you're setting them up for a bit of a hard time and a fall. So it’s about making sure we feel we can look after our family and our children in a way we feel is best for their future," he told Eugene.

And what a big future it is that lies ahead for them, especially Prince George! The twelve year old will be King one day and William and Kate have set some clear boundaries to protect him from excess pressure and scrutiny. He and his siblings are only actually seen in public a few times a year and outside of this they enjoy a lot of privacy in Berkshire, with plenty of family members living close by.

Whilst George is gradually being introduced to royal life, he still gets to be a kid at the end of the day, showing that William has recreated the "security" and "warmth" he experienced.

Watch The Reluctant Traveler season 3 on Apple TV+, with new episodes landing every Friday.

Alongside all the more poignant remarks made by Prince William to Eugene Levy on his Apple TV+ show, The Reluctant Traveler, there were also some much more light-hearted moments that could easily slip under the radar. This includes the revelation that the future King and his children occasionally make trips to nearby Windsor Castle and recreate his own childhood fun.

Giving Eugene a grand tour of the historic residence, William described St George’s Hall as one of his "favourite parts". It was also where he and his cousins used to enjoy games that came with a risk factor, though, thankfully, his own kids don’t have to worry about this anymore.

"My cousins and I and the family, would chase each other up and down here and play silly games. And I remember these carpets weren’t here, and there are a couple of spots where you used to have to watch out because you’d get massive splinters because the floor is old wood," he shared.

Instead of sumptuous carpets, there was "just a really dark, wooden oak floor". The Prince explained, "When you went running off, you’d end up coming away with an enormous splinter. Everyone would say ‘stop, stop’ and someone would have an enormous splinter in their foot."

The addition of the carpet has changed the game when it comes to chasing each other up and down St George’s Hall, though. William confessed that "now it’s a lot easier", saying, "My children don’t realise how lucky they are. They've got a big old carpet. They can run down and there's no splinters."

He disclosed that they "come in after hours" and "chase each other around sometimes", showing that this sweet childhood tradition is being upheld now with his kids.

It’s fun to imagine the Wales family running around somewhere like Windsor Castle and is definitely a reminder that whilst they’re royal, George, Charlotte and Louis are also still children who enjoy everything that comes with being this age. The magnificence and history of the royal residences is something that, as members of the public, we’ll never not see above all.

Yet when Eugene asked the future King if he ever got "overwhelmed" by the "sheer history" of Windsor Castle, William revealed he doesn’t.

"Because I think if you're not careful, history can be a real weight and an anchor around you, and you can feel suffocated by it, and restricted by it too much," he said. "And I think it is important to live for the here and now."

When the TV star questioned what does overwhelm him, the Prince of Wales movingly shared that family-related things do, but not his royal role like it once did.

William said, "Stuff to do with family overwhelms me quite a bit, you know, worry or stress around the family side of things, that does overwhelm me quite a bit. But in terms of doing the job and things like that, I don’t feel too overwhelmed by that. Not now anyway, when I was younger, yeah there are bits that overwhelm you like, woah, are we actually doing this, is this sort of happening?"

He thinks that "with time and age" you naturally feel "a bit more settled in that side of things".

"When it’s to do with family and things like that, that’s when I start to get overwhelmed as I think most people would. Because it’s more personal, it’s more about feeling, it’s more about about upsetting the rhythm, if you like," Prince William added.

Watch The Reluctant Traveler season 3 on Apple TV+, with new episodes landing every Friday.

Following the "huge shock" of being diagnosed with cancer last year, the Princess of Wales and Prince William then had the unimaginably difficult task of breaking the news to their children. In an official video announcing her illness, Kate went on to reveal it took them time to explain everything to Prince George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that was "appropriate for them".

Now, Prince William has shared an insight into how the couple’s children were affected by their mum’s illness. In season 3 of Eugene Levy’s Apple TV+ show, The Reluctant Traveler, the future King said he and Kate went about things in a specific way to help them.

"Everyone has their own coping mechanisms for these sorts of things, and children are constantly learning and adapting," he told the Schitt’s Creek star. "We tried to make sure we give them the security and safety that they need."

The Prince of Wales quickly shattered the age-old stereotype of the Royal Family as being stoic and silent. He revealed that he and Kate are raising George, Charlotte and Louis in a household where talking about tough things is encouraged.

He continued, "We're a very open family, so we talk about things that bother us and affect us. But you never quite know the knock-on effects it can have, and so it is just important to be there for each other and reassure the children that everything is okay."

Being there, talking things through and offering reassurance is seemingly what helped the entire Wales family through what William has since described as the "hardest year" of his life. In September 2024 the Princess shared a powerful message with a video filmed by Will Warr, in which she said they’d had to "find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown".

"The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you," she added, as she confirmed she had completed her treatment.

During his chat with Eugene Levy on The Reluctant Traveler, William was asked how things are now and movingly spoke of his desire to protect Kate, their children and his father King Charles, who was also diagnosed with cancer last year.

He declared, "Things are good, everything is progressing in the right way which is all good news, but 2024 was the hardest year I’ve ever had. Trying to balance protecting the children, Catherine, my father needs a bit of protection and he’s old enough to do that himself as well, but it’s important my family feel protected and have the space to process a lot of the stuff that’s gone on last year."

The Prince also touched on the impact of the media scrutiny, which was intense in the months before Kate confirmed she had been diagnosed with cancer. In her absence from public life, speculation arose over why and William explained he takes "a very strong line about where [he] think[s] that line is and those who overstep it, [he] will fight against".

"But equally I understand that in my role there is interest, you have to work with the media they are all there so you have to have a grown up situation with it as well. It’s about knowing where the line is and what you're willing to put up with," he added.

Watch The Reluctant Traveler season 3 on Apple TV+, with new episodes landing every Friday.

It might seem like we’re forever seeing the Royal Family out and about, but it tends to be only the working royals who are consistently in public. There are only actually a few times a year where the wider family gathers together and one of these is Christmas at Sandringham House.

Although not every single royal always attends the festive celebrations in Norfolk, there is always a big turn-out. This gives us a rare opportunity to see the different generations interacting with each other and Christmas 2023 included a special moment with Prince George and Mike Tindall.

Mike placed his arm around George’s shoulders and drew him in for a huge - a sweet moment that did not go unnoticed. Body language Judi James previously told Fabulous that she believes Mike has filled a "Harry-shaped gap" as a "fun uncle" figure.

Prince Harry and Meghan moved across the pond in 2020 and it’s not known whether the Duke of Sussex has seen his nephews and niece face-to-face since then. As per The Sun, Judi claimed that in his uncle’s absence, Mike has been "completely invaluable" to Prince George.

"George’s original ‘fun uncle’ and adult playmate did that infamous bolt to the US, leaving a huge Harry-shaped gap in the young boy’s life that Mike has more than filled," Judi stated. "Mike is the fun uncle everyone needs, but in the case of Prince George, whose destiny is all about duty and responsible behaviour, Mike’s presence in his life is completely invaluable."

The body language expert went on to suggest that, in her view, Prince Harry and Mike Tindall have several similar traits like "fearlessness". However, she believes that the retired rugby player isn’t "indiscreet" with the Royal Family.

Speaking about the Christmas moment in particular, Judi said that it showed Mike "will probably always treat George as he would treat his own children".

"While George and his siblings were being nudged to greet the waiting crowd with polite handshakes and smiles, carrying armfuls of gifts they have been given, Mike just took over the action by grabbing George for a stunning and very touchingly hearty partial hug and kissing him on the side of the head," she declared.

Judi added that this displayed "not just spontaneous affection but also a sense of reward and pride in the young boy for the way he was doing such a good job."

Prince George’s facial expression reportedly "suggested he was both surprised and delighted" by Mike’s hug. The two certainly do seem to have a very relaxed and fun relationship, which is likely something appreciated by the 12-year-old.

Everything he does has been scrutinised from a young age due to his place in the royal line of succession so Mike’s normalcy around him, treating him like any of his own children, could be very comforting and grounding.

It’s also heart-wrenching that Judi James perceives Mike as filling a "Harry-shaped gap" in his nephew’s life. In his memoir, Spare, the Duke of Sussex revealed several things he’d been eager to teach Prince George and how he was looking forward to spontaneously visiting - something he can no longer do now he lives in the US.

"I looked forward to popping in all the time. Look! It’s Uncle Harry! ‘Ello, Just thought I’d stop by. Holding a bottle of wine and an armful of kiddie presents. Dropping to the floor and wrestling with little George," he wrote.

The Prince of Wales is apparently keen to bring Prince George, Charlotte and Louis up with a skill that he sadly lost over the years. He made the intriguing revelation during a visit to The Oasis Village earlier this month.

Prince William was there to hear more about the work of Spiral Skills. This Lambeth-based charity has received funding from the Royal Foundation's Homewards Fund to expand their community-led approach to tackling youth homelessness.

During his time there, he went to Symphony Studios where he saw first-hand the impact music has upon young people. As per Hello!, Prince William sadly admitted that he’s unable to read music, but it’s something he "make[s] sure" his kids can do.

"It's brilliant you guys have clearly done a lot of practising, well done, that's not easy doing that in front of everyone - that's brilliant," the Prince reportedly told the young musicians taking part in a workshop. "You've all got amazing rhythm and it sounds fantastic, I wish I started when I was your age. I couldn't read music so that was my biggest weakness."

Although he "started off playing piano, trumpet and the drums" he then "realised [he]I had to memorise every tune" as he couldn’t read the notes. Because of this, Prince William’s music-playing "just fell away".

"I make sure my children learn music because I love music and it's crucial, really important," the senior royal added, revealing he doesn’t want this to happen to George, Charlotte and Louis.

When asked if he wanted to have a go on the drums, Prince William politely declined, but confirmed that his youngest child is very much still playing this instrument.

He declared, "I'm definitely not a drummer. I'm happy to see you do it, if my youngest was here, he'd have a go, because he's practicing at the moment, but I'd love to hear you do it."

Earlier this year the Prince of Wales shared that Prince Louis was learning the drums, joking that it’s why he spends his "whole life" with his fingers in his ears. Meanwhile, Prince George is understood to be taking guitar lessons and Charlotte is following in their mum’s footsteps and is learning the piano.

The Princess of Wales spoke with pianist Lang Lang at the Royal Variety Performance in 2023 and, as per Hello!, talk turned to Charlotte.

"Her Royal Highness said to me that she said to Princess Charlotte 'Hey, look, if you practise a lot you can be like him'," the musician explained. "So I’m happy to be helpful a little bit. It's really funny, I was like, wow, I'm sure she will do well at the piano. I think she is practising."

Unlike her husband, the Princess of Wales does seem to be able to read music and has played the piano at two high-profile occasions in the past few years. The first of these was when she accompanied singer Tom Walker on his song For Those Who Can’t Be Here at her inaugural Together at Christmas carol service.

Kate also demonstrated her skills in a pre-recorded performance at the beginning of the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest. She’s clearly kept up her piano playing and will likely have a few music-reading tips for all three of her children to ensure they have this "crucial" skill.

The Princess of Wales has been at the centre of so many iconic occasions since she joined the Royal Family, but one of the most "important" of all filled her with slight terror. This is unsurprising when you stop to think about it, as it revolved around Prince George and the very high-profile way he was introduced to the world.

Just hours after giving birth to her first child Kate carried him outside St Mary’s Hospital where she and Prince William posed for photographs. This was fans’ first glimpse of the future King, who is now second in the royal line of succession.

Although the proud parents looked as relaxed as ever, Kate later reflected that she had "mixed emotions" in this moment. The Princess opened up during her appearance on the Happy Mum, Happy Baby podcast in 2020, declaring it was "slightly terrifying, I’m not going to lie".

Any new parent would have felt slightly daunted by sharing their baby in this way, though despite her fear Kate went ahead with this photocall as both she and Prince William believed it was "important" to do.

She explained, "Everyone had been so supportive and both William and I were really conscious that this was something that everyone was excited about and you know we’re hugely grateful for the support that the public had shown us, and actually for us to be able to share that joy and appreciation with the public, I felt was really important."

The senior royal went on to add that this was "coupled" with the fact that their son was newborn and they were "inexperienced parents" at the time, as well as the "uncertainty of what that held".

"So there were all sorts of mixed emotions," she added candidly.

The Prince and Princess of Wales went on to face this "slightly terrifying" experience twice more as they also introduced Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis in this way. These pictures are famous across the world, though the tradition is newer than you might think.

All of Queen Elizabeth’s children were born at one of the royal residences (Princess Anne at Clarence House and her brothers at Buckingham Palace). It was the next generation of royals who started being photographed with their babies outside the hospitals they were born in.

This isn’t the case for everyone as, for example, Prince Harry and Meghan were first pictured with Prince Archie in a more private photocall at Windsor Castle.

As the Princess of Wales said on the podcast, the public were hugely excited to know of their eldest child’s arrival, though whilst the first picture of Prince George was taken at St Mary’s, the first official snaps released by Kensington Palace were more low-key.

They were taken at the Middleton family home by Kate’s father Michael and showed the Waleses with their son in the garden. Their dog Lupo and the Middletons’ dog Tilly joined them in one of the pictures. Speaking to the Daily Mail at the time, a family friend alleged that Michael suggested this, believing it would be more relaxed.

"Michael had the perfect solution," they claimed. "He proposed that he would take the photo himself: organise a stress-free photoshoot in the garden and save them the bother of getting in a photographer who would take ages. It meant the nervous new parents could stop any time they wanted."

Most of us will never meet the Princess of Wales in person, let alone attend the same school sports matches as her, but someone who has crossed paths with her has shared some charming insights. Panthea Parker is part of the cast for new reality series, The Real Housewives of London, and opened up to Hello! at the world premiere about what Kate’s really like.

"I see her quite a few times because my son’s school plays against her son’s school," Panthea claimed. "So they play rugby and football against each other so we’re always at her school or my school. I do see her a lot but not to talk to, just from afar."

Even though Panthea isn’t in the future Queen’s close circle and only sees her at school sporting events from a distance, Kate has made an incredible impression on the reality star.

Panthea described her as "so classy" and "so lovely", before confirming that the Princess of Wales "never misses any of her children’s matches". In her view - and likely many other people’s given everything Kate has on her plate - that achievement in itself makes her "really amazing".

The Real Housewives star revealed that she never misses a match either - quipping, "Otherwise how do I know that?"

Prince George, Charlotte and Louis have all inherited their parents’ love of sports and Kate’s dedication to "never" missing a match is modelled on Michael and Carole Middleton’s example. Speaking on Giovanna Fletcher’s Happy Mum, Happy Baby podcast in 2020, the senior royal recalled her mum and dad making sacrifices to be there for her and her siblings.

She said, "I had a very happy childhood. It was great fun. I’m very lucky I come from a very strong family. My parents were hugely dedicated."

"I really appreciate now as a parent how much they sacrificed for us," the Princess added. "They came to every sports match, they’d be the ones on the side-line shouting, and we’d always have our family holidays together."

This dedication from Michael and Carole has clearly inspired their daughter’s approach to parenting. As well as apparently always being there for sports matches, Kate and Prince William pause engagements as much as possible during George, Charlotte and Louis’s school holidays.

They’re currently on their summer break, spending quality time together ahead of moving house from Adelaide Cottage before the end of the year. Of course, there are times when work and parenting duties clash and the Princess of Wales has been open about feeling "mum guilt".

She told Giovanna on her podcast that anyone who doesn’t feel it as a mother is "actually lying", continuing, "It's a constant challenge - you hear it time after time from mums, even mums who aren't necessarily working and aren't pulled in the directions of having to juggle work life and family life."

However, Kate’s commitment to being there for her kids is steadfast. Messages shared by her on social media throughout the past year have made her appreciation for spending time with her loved ones very clear.

"This time has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted. Of simply loving and being loved," she wrote alongside a video by Will Warr last September.

The Prince and Princess of Wales are both hands-on parents to their three children, sharing school pick up and drop off duties and cheering them on at sports matches. They’re determined to strike a good balance between giving Prince George, Charlotte and Louis an "ordinary" childhood and introducing them to life in the Royal Family.

This is no doubt challenging at times but it’s now been suggested that Kate’s role in future King Prince George’s life is "different" to Prince William’s. Opening up to Us Weekly, royal historian Marlene Koenig expressed her belief that Kate’s main priority is being a loving mum.

"She is there to be the loving, supportive mum in everything George does, because he is her son first and foremost," she claimed, before revealing a crucial difference between her and William.

Marlene continued, "She will never have a constitutional role, except as regent in a worst-case scenario, if George becomes King before age 18."

Twelve-year-old Prince George is currently second in the royal line of succession and in Marlene’s opinion, it will be his father Prince William and grandfather King Charles who will take a major part in preparing the young Prince. They have the benefit of experience and will reportedly give him the "knowledge and practice of their roles".

Although the Princess of Wales is a senior member of the Royal Family herself and is set to become Queen Consort one day, she wasn’t born into it like William and the King were. Both of them were raised as heirs to the throne and know what it’s like to be a child whilst learning the ropes of royal life and all the scrutiny that comes with it.

Seen through this lens, Marlene’s suggestion that Kate’s role with Prince George is "different" does make a lot of sense. It might help him to have just one parent taking on a bigger role in preparing him to be King, whilst the other balances this out.

Not that the Princess of Wales lacks experience of her own - far from it. As the royal historian remarked, "[Kate] and William dated for nearly 10 years before their engagement was announced, which allowed her the time and space to learn about her future life."

This was a big factor in why the Prince of Wales took his time proposing to his now-wife and he revealed this in the couple’s engagement interview in 2010.

"Her and her family, I really want to make sure that they have the best, sort of, guidance and chance to see what life has been like - or what life is like - in the family," he said. "That’s kind of almost why I’ve been waiting this long is that I wanted to give her a chance to see and to back out if she needed to before it all got too much."

Given how much he and Kate want their kids to have as down-to-earth upbringings as possible, it likely stands George, Charlotte and Louis in good stead to have one parent born to be King and another raised outside the Royal Family. It gives them the best of both worlds and the Princess of Wales always wanted to have a family like the one she grew up in.

"[Family is] very important to me," she said in her engagement interview. "And I hope we will be able to have a happy family ourselves. Because they've been great over the years - helping me with difficult times. We see a lot of each other and they are very, very dear to me."

Prince George celebrated his 12th birthday on 22nd July and whilst this was an exciting moment personally, it has potentially got his dad facing a difficult decision. This is the age when Prince William reportedly started travelling separately from King Charles and Prince Harry to help safe-guard the royal line of succession.

With Prince George next in line after him, the Prince of Wales might have to make a choice over whether to strictly uphold this rule. According to former BBC Royal Correspondent Jennie Bond, it’s likely that there’ll be "considerable" pressure to adhere to it which creates a bit of a dilemma.

"This is going to be a bit of a conundrum for William and will make long-haul flights very tricky," Jennie claimed to the Express. "There will be a considerable amount of pressure on them to adhere to the rule."

However, the expert added that she’s "not convinced" that Prince William will "stick to it rigidly" with Prince George. She reflected that part of the reason could be due to concerns over the environmental impact of taking two planes.

She added, "I suppose he could assuage his conscience by making sure they continue to all take scheduled flights, in which case their carbon footprint would remain the same."

Another reason could be that it’s a rather lonely way for a 12-year-old to travel long distances, completely apart from his family. Speaking previously on Hello’s A Right Royal Podcast, King Charles’s former pilot Graham Laurie alleged that this was the protocol they followed when Prince William reached this age.

As per The Mirror he explained, "Interestingly, we flew all four: the Prince [King Charles], the Princess [Princess Diana], Prince William and Prince Harry, up until Prince William was 12 years old. After that, he had to have a separate aircraft and we could only fly all four together when they were young with the written permission of Her Majesty."

After turning 12, he would apparently normally fly "in a 125 from Northolt" whilst Graham would "fly the 146 out with the other three on". If the Wales family were to follow this tradition, that would mean Prince George would be solo, whilst his younger siblings had each other and their parents for company.

Like Jennie, I’m not entirely convinced that Prince William and Kate will ensure they and Prince George stick "rigidly" to this rule. After all, they’ve taken a very hands-on approach to royal parenting, with a focus on giving George, Charlotte and Louis as normal an upbringing as possible.

Never flying with your dad again would certainly count as an out of the ordinary experience. It’s possible they’ll only stick to it for certain official occasions rather than treating it as a blanket rule to adhere to. The reason behind flying separately is to protect the heir to the throne and minimise the risk of losing heirs together if there was any kind of accident.

Writing in his 2024 book, Catherine, The Princess of Wales: A Biography of The Future Queen, Robert Jobson claimed that King Charles has supposedly raised "concerns" about his son and grandson travelling together because of this.

"'One recent source of disagreement is William's stubborn refusal to take his father's advice on safeguarding the succession," Jobson alleged, as per the Express. "Earlier this year, the King had raised concerns with his son about the wisdom of William using his helicopter to fly his entire family around the country.

We are unlikely to see Prince George in public during his school summer break, which makes his annual birthday snap even more special. This year’s photo showed just how grown-up the young royal has become and was released early on his 12th birthday, rather than the day before as the Prince and Princess of Wales have often done in the past.

In a cute echo of Queen Camilla’s 78th birthday photo, Prince George is leaning against a gate surrounded by greenery. He looked put-together and relaxed in his countryside attire, which consisted of a blue and white shirt and cosy khaki gilet.

As with many of the royal birthday pictures we see, this was a very composed shot. However, there was also a tiny detail which reminds us all that Prince George is enjoying his childhood to the full before taking on all this responsibility.

It’s a subtle thing that’s easy to miss, but the 12-year-old was wearing a blue and white friendship bracelet on his wrist. This looks very similar to the one he had on for his 11th birthday photo last summer and Prince George also had a bracelet at Wimbledon 2024.

Although not confirmed, the outfit Prince George is wearing in his new snap is the same as he wore in Josh Shinner’s Father’s Day photo - including the bracelet. So the Prince and Princess of Wales’s eldest son has at least owned this specific bracelet for a month.

Friendship bracelets experienced a surge in popularity during Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour (which George, Charlotte and Prince William all attended). The children were spotted with them after they went to the Wembley performance in July last year and Princess Charlotte has continued to make them - and insist her dad keeps his on!

Speaking during his visit to South Africa for the Earthshot Prize Awards ceremony that November, Prince William explained that his daughter had gifted him his very own bracelet.

"Well, this is a relic, if you like, from a Taylor Swift concert that my daughter decided that she wanted to create a bracelet for," Prince William explained, as per People. "She gave it to me when I came away. So I promised that I'd wear it and try not to lose it while I was out here."

It’s possible that Princess Charlotte helped to create Prince George’s bracelet, or that the siblings excitedly made them together. What I find most moving about the 12-year-old still wearing a friendship bracelet is how much it shows he’s still, after all, a child.

This can often be forgotten amidst the scrutiny surrounding the children as young royals, but Prince William and Kate are committed to giving their kids as ordinary an upbringing as possible. They have a high degree of privacy at Adelaide Cottage and George’s love of Taylor Swift’s music and on-trend accessories is exactly what you’d expect from any child.

It’s a fun, grounding detail in Prince George’s birthday photo that balances how smart and mature he is as a young King in the making. I loved spotting this in the new photo and I find it particularly charming given how big a deal 12 is for a royal.

This is the age that Prince William reportedly stopped traveling on planes with his father and brother to protect the line of succession, so it’s possible the same will be true for Prince George. With big changes potentially ahead, enjoying childhood to the full sounds like a great idea to me.

Since he and Meghan settled across the pond in 2020, Prince Harry has only seen his Wales niece and nephews in person a few times. This is incredibly sad and especially so because of the big plans he had for life as an uncle.

When Prince George was born in 2013 the world was mesmerised by the pictures of his proud parents holding the future King outside St Mary’s Hospital. Behind palace doors, Prince Harry was equally delighted when he privately found out he’d become an uncle for the first time.

So much so that - according to his best-selling memoir Spare - the Duke of Sussex began to think of the four things he’d love to teach Prince George. Writing in chapter 64, he described how "delighted" he was for Prince William and Kate.

"I was an uncle. Willy and Kate had welcomed their first child, George, and he was beautiful. I couldn’t wait to teach him about rugby and Rorke’s Drift, flying and corridor cricket - and maybe give him a few pointers about how to survive life in the fishbowl."

Whether or not he taught his nephew a little about these things before he stepped back from royal duties, or has done so over the phone or video calls since, Prince George is a fan of rugby and cricket. The soon-to-be 12-year-old has joined his dad at several matches over the past few years.

He’s also thought to have eagerly taken part in a light-hearted game of "guess the aircraft" with Prince William and Louis during the flypast at Trooping the Colour. Meanwhile, as per Us Weekly in 2016, Kate reportedly shared that her eldest son was "obsessed with the air cadets and wants to join".

Prince George's interest in sports and military matters reflects what Prince Harry was eager to teach him about from the moment he was born. The Duke of Sussex also reflected in his memoir about the hopes he had for "popping in all the time" to see his nephew at Kensington Palace.

He wrote, "I looked forward to popping in all the time. Look! It’s Uncle Harry! ‘Ello, Just thought I’d stop by. Holding a bottle of wine and an armful of kiddie presents. Dropping to the floor and wrestling with little George."

He shared that this didn’t end up happening as he’d envisioned, adding that he understood the Prince and Princess of Wales were very busy. Now that he, Duchess Meghan, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet live in California and the Waleses are at Adelaide Cottage just "popping in" spontaneously sadly isn’t possible anymore.

Speaking at a Sentebale event after Prince George’s birth, Prince Harry described his mission as an uncle as being to "make sure he has a good upbringing, to keep him out of harm’s way and make sure he has fun". This is a special ethos and one he might uphold however he can from California, potentially through "fun" birthday presents and thoughtful cards.

Prince George turns 12 on 22nd July and the Sussex biography, Finding Freedom, claims that for his 2nd birthday in 2017 Prince Harry and Meghan bought him an electric ride-on SUV. This year’s day is significant as it means there’s only one more year left before he leaves Lambrook School and starts at whichever secondary school he, Prince William and Kate have chosen.

Whether it’s Prince William and Princess Catherine’s dog Orla and the recent news of her puppies or the late Queen Elizabeth II’s lifelong love of horses, the Royal Family has always been known to love animals.

But one of Prince George’s favourite creatures might not be to everyone’s taste, as Prince William once revealed that his oldest son, who is second in the royal line of succession, is "obsessed" with snakes during a visit to Northern Ireland.

While holding a snake at a petting zoo, William told the staff, "George is obsessed with snakes, he’s going to be so upset he missed this."

The news was first shared back in 2021, when the Prince and Princess of Wales visited Northern Ireland in one of their first engagements following the Covid-19 pandemic.

As the couple mingled with fans and employees at a petting zoo, William was presented with a snake to hold. While some wouldn’t dream of holding the reptile, the Prince of Wales was keen, holding the snake as a laughing Catherine looked on.

During the visit, the Princess of Wales also revealed that animals played a huge part in the family’s lives during the pandemic.

"We’ve had lots of animals during lockdown," Kate reportedly told the handlers, adding "During lockdown, animals are often like therapy."

Known for their good-natured competitiveness, the Princess also stepped up to show off her bravery, being photographed holding a tarantula.

And as it turns out, another one of their children might have been jealous to miss out on this moment.

It would seem George isn’t the only one of the Wales children who has an affinity for unusual animals.

In 2020, the Prince and Princess of Wales shared a video featuring their three young children speaking with environmentalist and broadcaster Sir David Attenborough – who helped Prince William launch his Earthshot Prize that same year.

Princess Charlotte – who was five at the time - asked the Planet Earth filmmaker, "I like spiders, do you like spiders too?"

He replied to the young princess's surprising question and revelation by saying, "I love spiders, I'm so glad you like them!"

The Wales and Sussex kids are all quite high up in the royal line of succession, but they live very different lives in so many ways. Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet have never gone on a royal visit or attended Trooping the Colour and their faces are rarely seen in any photographs or videos shared by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Their cousins also have a high level of privacy at Adelaide Cottage, though they do take part in certain royal events and appear in plenty of official pictures as they are gradually introduced to royal life. However, all six of them are keeping a royal tradition alive and it strikes me as particularly adorable - and meaningful.

Prince George, Charlotte and Louis and Prince Archie and Lilibet all call their fathers "Papa". It seems like such a small thing, however, it’s a sweet connection to the Royal Family, and I might have expected the Sussexes to use "Dad" instead.

After all, they’re living away from the royal bubble in California and Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan often refer to themselves as just "Harry and Meghan" in public. Meghan has even revealed her husband’s nickname "H" in interviews, whilst he is known to call her "Meg".

This all indicates quite a relaxed approach, so "Dad" might be the obvious choice if you had to guess what Archie and Lilibet call Prince Harry. "Papa" sounds a little more formal and the Duchess explained recently that this is the name they use.

During an appearance on Jamie Kern Lima’s podcast in April, she read out a letter written by her children with a little help from the Prince.

"From Archie and Lili via Papa. We love your cooking. We love your pancakes and we love, love, love your hugs. You're the best mummy and we love you," she said, as per the Evening Standard.

So it seems they do call their father "Papa" and Meghan also remarked on how much she loved that they said "mummy, instead of mommy", noting it’s "very British". "Papa" also sounds quite British, especially given that Prince George, Charlotte and Louis use it too.

In the Wales family’s 2025 Father’s Day photos taken by Josh Shinner the caption referred to the Prince of Wales in this way, stating, "Happy Father’s Day, Papa (before and after!) We love you! G, C & L".

In the past, they’ve also shared glimpses of Father’s Day cards addressed to him as "Papa", showing this isn’t a recent thing at all. It’s adorable that the cousins have this in common but this takes on even more significance as it’s continuing a long-standing royal custom.

Prince William and Harry call King Charles "Pa", which appears to be a shortening of this and King Charles himself called the late Prince Philip "Papa". Meanwhile, in a letter written to her parents describing their coronation, Queen Elizabeth II is said to have addressed the Queen Mother and King George VI as "Mummy and Papa".

"Dad" might be more common nowadays, but for the royals "Papa" has never gone out of favour and the Wales and Sussex cousins are keeping it alive as a tradition.

Each year we only see Prince George, Charlotte and Louis out in public a handful of times, making every anecdote and insight about them even more intriguing. The latest titbit was revealed by Prince William during a visit to the Duchy of Cornwall.

He became Duke of Cornwall after rising to first in the royal line of succession when King Charles ascended the throne in 2022, and he tries to visit part of the vast Duchy once every four to six weeks. These trips are usually private, but Kensington Palace gave permission for The Telegraph to join him for a "Duchy Day" in May.

According to the publication, the future King was given a bottle of home-grown apple juice to take home after visiting an orchard. This is a delicious gift - and one he apparently joked he’d "have to drink before" his children could "get their hands on it".

Prince George is particularly fond of apple juice and the Princess of Wales has supposedly described him as "obsessed" with one couple’s homemade batches. Speaking to Express.co.uk in 2023, radio host Roman Kemp claimed that his mum Shirlie gave the Princess a "crate" of their apple juice when she visited their home.

Kate and Roman teamed up to create a short film about mental well-being and the gift seemingly went down a storm at Adelaide Cottage.

"My mum and dad have this lovely house that they have been working on and there is a big apple tree and they have started making their own apple juice from it," he said. "My mum gave [the Princess of Wales] a crate of this apple juice that they made and she obviously took it home."

Roman added, "The next time I saw her she was like, 'Oh my God! Please can you say thank you to your mum and we need some more of that apple juice because George is obsessed with it. He keeps saying, ‘Mum, I want the apple juice.’"

Shirlie was reportedly more than happy to help the Prince out, with Roman alleging that she and the Princess and "have been trading" it. Now, two years later, Prince William’s joke seems to suggest that George isn’t the only huge apple juice fan in the Wales family.

Although the Prince’s comment was very light-hearted, it hints that Prince George, Charlotte and Louis would all be quick to finish his present if they had the chance.

They are currently enjoying the last few days of their half-term break and both the Prince and Princess of Wales traditionally pause engagements during school holidays so they can spend as much time with their children as possible.

The Prince of Wales’s "Duchy Day" visit reportedly took place in the "middle of May", as per The Telegraph, and he’s determined to be a "positive force for good" and "make people’s lives better". He wants to be "more" than the "traditional landowner".

“The core part of the Duchy works on its people... what it stands for,” he declared. “The key point of the Duchy for me is about social impact. People, places and planet, those are the key things we’re working on.”

Prince William might be the future king, but when it comes to the family household, he revealed he's stuck with the chores his children often forget.

The Prince of Wales has shared plenty of relatable parenting moments over the years, including the massive fights he's had to deal with between his children.

And during an appearance at Woodgate Valley Urban Farm near Birmingham in the UK in 2024, he revealed more insight into the family pets at Adelaide Cottage - including the newer additions - and how he's left to clean up the mess.

During his appearance, which included grooming some guinea pigs, William revealed that they'd welcomed two new pets alongside their family cocker spaniel, Orla.

He said, ”These guys are pretty cool. We've got guinea pigs at home and they're not like this. I spend my life cleaning out the guinea pig cage because the children forget to do it."

William also gave a glimpse of the routine his own pets have at home, who aren’t as well behaved as the docile ones on the farm.

He added, "The ones we've got at home, they're off. You have to keep them constantly stroked and looked after."

Prince William, Princess Catherine, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are also known to be owners to a beloved cocker spaniel called Orla - and they have a controversial sleeping habit when it comes to the cocker spaniel.

As well as taking time with the animals, William spoke with volunteers and staff at the city farm, who work to support children and young people through their education and those struggling with their mental health.

Alongside the animals, the National Lottery funded farm also therapeutic programs for the children to help improve their well-being through one-to-one support and community-focused activities.

The cute insight into life at Adelaide Cottage came after William got back into the swing of things, after taking some time out to focus on helping Kate recover from her cancer treatment.

One of his first appearances saw him make a special visit to see 12-year-old Freddie Hadley, who had written to him last year to discuss his school’s Matrix Project and the campaign #AmIManlyEnough, which supports male students with their mental health.

In a candid talk to the students at St Michael’s Church of England High School in Rowley Regis, William spoke about how he got into mental health campaigning and co-founded Heads Together with his wife, Kate and his brother Prince Harry.

"It started really when I was doing lots of charitable work, I never set out to look out into mental health, particularly male mental health," he began.

"I was interested in homelessness, depression, addiction, all these separate areas and I hadn't really put them altogether as a jigsaw - what are we looking at? What are we trying to fix? It all came together as a mental health piece.

"My passion, if you like, has moved now into male mental health because of the stats you [James] mentioned at the beginning, about the suicide rate in young men is just terrifying, and I wanted to do something about it."

Famous for their sporting abilities, Prince William and Kate Middleton have seemingly passed down their skills to their eldest son, Prince George.

The Prince and Princess of Wales reportedly thought one of their more adventurous hobbies would "freak out" George, but the young prince ended up loving it.

Prince William visited a community swimming pool in 2024 to celebrate its re-opening and he talked about the importance of having access to swimming pools, and this is where he revealed that Prince George "absolutely loves" scuba diving just like him and Kate.

Scuba diving is just one of the many sports the Wales's partake in - and plenty of them involve splashing around.

William was known to be a keen swimmer and water polo player during his days at the University of St Andrews, and Kate Middleton shared her love for the extreme hobby of cold water swimming.

So George inheriting his parents' love for water sports is not a surprise - he's already been reported to have taken to tennis just like his mom, who even helped get him a lesson with former world number one, Roger Federer.

As reported by The Mirror, Prince William explained, "Catherine and I both adore swimming. George loves scuba diving. He was 10 years old, we took him under, thinking he’d freak out, but he absolutely loved it. It just introduced him to the world of water."

A love for the water is something of a tradition with the family. Both Kate and Prince William have passed their advanced scuba diving qualification, and Princess Diana was a celebrated diver during her school years.

At the community pool appearance, William also shared the poignant reason he wasn't able to catch any of the water sports at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The senior royal met with Olympic swimmers Adam Peaty and Tom Dean and Paralympic swimmers Maisie Summers-Newton and Louise Fiddes. Asked by Tom if he managed to go to Paris for the Olympic Games, Prince William reflected that Covid fears put things into perspective with Kate facing her cancer treatments back home.

"I was so keen to come but I have to say after reading someone’s interview about Covid, I decided, because my wife was obviously having chemo, that I didn’t want to risk bringing Covid home, so Adam very kindly reminded me that that was still a thing! But we watched the whole thing. We were glued to it every day," he responded.

This was an incredibly personal and heartfelt revelation for Prince William to make and it followed Kate's first major public engagement of 2024 following the news that she had "completed" cancer treatment.

In a sweet video filmed by Will Warr, the Princess shared a poignant message and many of the clips showed her spending precious family time outdoors with Prince George, Charlotte, Louis and Prince William.

"This time has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted. Of simply loving and being loved," she declared.

Sitting second in the royal line of succession comes with a lot of responsibility and, at just 11 years old, Prince George is handling it brilliantly. He stepped up last week for the VE Day celebrations, joining his parents, The Prince and Princess of Wales, at Buckingham Palace for the Veterans Tea Party that marked the 80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.

Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis both stayed behind, joining the family only for the procession and flypast that honoured the celebrations. But while George was on his own for the tea party, he held his own and showed off his incredible 'empathy and confidence' that one expert says proves how 'resilient' he is.

Speaking to HELLO!, Jo Frost, who is perhaps better known as Channel 4's Supernanny, drew attention to one photo of the engagement that she says shows just how much young George is learning from his father, Prince William, when it comes to being 'resilient' in the face of hardship and 'emotional vulnerability.'

The above photo in particular, Jo Frost says, shows George learning in action from his father who he is "mindfully" observing "in detail."

Notice how he's leaning in just like William, dropping his chin and making sure his eyes are on the person he's listening to. He's a spitting image of his dad here as he "listens and learns holding space [and] empathy" with the veterans he is meeting.

The expert added that George will be gaining confidence from, "The real-life immersive experience of public duty, the shadowing of an empathetic strong future king".

The Princess of Wales was also present at the engagement and gave George plenty to take note of. "Here we get to witness two parents with royal duty who have been an incredible example to their young children," Jo says. "Already the children have experienced so much emotional vulnerability witnessing their parents through difficult circumstances and yet [they are] resilient," she continued.

This resilience is something that woman&home's royal editor Emma Shacklock says is vital for George to learn at this young age, but we must also remember that he is still learning and must feel at least a little overwhelmed by important occasions like the Tea Party.

She said, "We have to remember that Prince George is still just 11 years old and so for him, an appearance like this one is still something he’ll probably be getting used to. He showed such maturity and empathy at the VE Day Tea Party and is clearly following in his parents’ footsteps and learning the royal ropes from them. This is so important for him as he prepares for his future role as King."

After his brilliant behaviour at the Tea Party, we got to see a more child-like side of George elsewhere during the VE Day celebrations. Standing on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, he could be seen playing a game of 'guess the aircraft' with his parents and younger brother Louis.

As the RAF flypast flew overhead, his neck was craned towards the sky as he identified the Atlas aircraft and proved that he's inherited not only his dad's sense of royal duty, but also his love for and knowledge of planes.

Welcoming your first child into the world is a life-changing experience for anyone, but for Prince William and Kate Middleton, they had the added pressure of the world watching them when they welcomed Prince George in 2013.

Fortunately for the Princess of Wales, she still had her dad protecting her, with Michael Middleton coming up with the perfect gesture to protect his daughter and grandson.

The proud new parents gave fans a glimpse of their son outside St Mary’s Hospital amid mass excitement and speculation over his name. After leaving the hospital with their newborn son the Prince and Princess of Wales are understood to have spent several weeks at the home of Michael and Carole Middleton.

Whilst at Bucklebury Manor, it’s been suggested that Kate was protected by her dad whose special gesture was so heart-warming.

Although the pictures taken on the steps of the hospital were the first ones of Prince George, the first official photos of him released by Kate and Prince William were taken by Michael. It’s said that he put forward the idea of taking them himself and ensured things weren’t too stressful or overwhelming for his daughter.

Fans were eager to see pictures of Prince George and a family friend previously claimed to the Daily Mail that “Michael had the perfect solution”.

“He proposed that he would take the photo himself: organize a stress-free photoshoot in the garden and save them the bother of getting in a photographer who would take ages. It meant the nervous new parents could stop any time they wanted,” they alleged.

The sweet family snaps showed Prince George in Kate’s arms, with Prince William next to her in Michael and Carole Middleton’s garden. In the picture taken of them sitting down on the grass, the Wales’s late dog, Lupo, was also seen, as was the Middleton family’s retriever Tilly. Kensington Palace released the photos four weeks after Prince George’s birth and it was such a protective gesture from Michael to offer to take them himself.

This meant that the Prince and Princess of Wales had more privacy with their newborn and didn’t have to worry about organizational matters or inviting someone else into their space. They looked happy and relaxed in the pictures and taking them at Kate’s family home with their pets around them gave the snaps a personal feel.

This is something the Princess of Wales has emulated when it comes to taking pictures of Prince George, Charlotte and Louis for their birthdays - as she recently did for Princess Charlotte's 10th birthday. She’s often behind the camera, making the process more natural and comfortable. As they grow up, Prince George, Charlotte and Louis are understood to be very close to Michael and Carole Middleton and Kate has been inspired by their parenting approach too.

Royal expert Duncan Larcombe previously stated to OK! that the future King and Queen want to have a similar relationship with their kids as Kate has with Carole and Michael.

“William has based his children's upbringing on the Middleton model - three children, affluent, but hardworking parents and lots of love in the house,” Duncan alleged. "By the time Kate was in her early twenties, she counted her mother and father on the list of her best friends. That’s what William and Kate are aspiring to with their children, but they also have to drip-feed George, and to some extent Charlotte and Louis, into the public domain.”

Prince William gave hope to parents everywhere when he revealed even future kings have to deal with stroppy children.

The Prince of Wales shared there's often a "massive fight" between Prince George and Charlotte "most mornings" - and judging by the hilarious mimicking from Prince Louis, it won't be long until he's squabbling with his siblings too.

Over the years fans have been treated to many adorable insights into the bond between Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, including the indulgent dinner the kids like to make for mom, Kate Middleton.

And even though they largely get on great, it's a fact that all siblings bicker every now and then, and according to Prince William there’s often a reason for a “massive fight” between George and Charlotte.

Speaking in an episode of Apple Fitness + series Time to Walk in 2021, the Prince of Wales explained that music is a huge passion his children share, but they don’t see eye-to-eye on songs. So much so, that their determination to have their own choice of music played apparently leads to frequent arguments.

"What I've been amazed by is how much my children already have inherited my family's love of music. Most mornings there's a massive fight between Charlotte and George as to what song is played in the morning," the future King explained.

He then went on to share the solution he implemented to minimize this, revealing that he has to "basically prioritize" that on one day someone gets to choose the music and then someone else takes a turn on another day.

Prince William said, "So George gets his go, then Charlotte gets her go. Such is the, the clamour for the music."

"One of the songs that the children are loving at the moment is Shakira, Waka Waka. There's a lot of hip movements going along with a lot of dressing up," Prince William continued. "Charlotte particularly is running around the kitchen, in her dresses and ballet stuff. She goes completely crazy with Louis following her around trying to do the same thing."

Since Prince William revealed the reason there was often a "massive fight" between Prince George and Charlotte it’s possible that the bickering has stopped, thanks to him deciding they should take turns. Although now Prince Louis is older they will perhaps be having to adjust their morning routine at Adelaide Cottage to ensure he gets a say too.

During his time in Singapore at the Earthshot Prize Awards, the Prince of Wales reportedly told One Republic, who performed at the ceremony, that Prince Louis is a huge fan.

"I can't thank you enough. You were amazing. What a way to start the show. That was incredible," he is understood to have said. "Louis, my youngest, loves your songs."

Meanwhile, Prince George supposedly enjoys a slightly different genre of music. Per the Daily Mail, the Prince of Wales spoke with people during a walkabout over the coronation weekend including Caroline Mulvihill, a member of the Rock Choir.

"We were talking about the kind of music we do in Rock Choir and Will was telling us in their household they have a very diverse music taste and George is very much into AC/DC and Led Zeppelin," she declared.

They might be the King’s grandchildren but according to a former royal nanny, Prince George, Charlotte and Louis are incredibly "grounded" and this really becomes clear in the evenings.

Opening up to The Sun, Caroline Redgrave, who is understood to have worked for the future King and Queen when their children were younger, has claimed that this time of day was when they were "most relaxed".

"You get to know them in those quiet evening hours. That’s when they’re most relaxed. And it’s also when you see how grounded they really are; polite, playful and full of personality," she alleged. "We always kept to a familiar structure of a warm bath, quiet play, stories and then bed."

Caroline went on to suggest that this night-time routine remained the same "no matter what had gone on in the day". When you consider that Prince George, Charlotte and Louis have been making public appearances since babyhood, this becomes even more remarkable.

Keeping to a clear routine that was reportedly "designed to help them unwind slowly" might well help to make them feel "grounded" amidst all the scrutiny they face as young royals. The former nanny added that screen time was a no-go for the evenings.

Instead, the routine was "about slowing everything down" and creating a tranquil environment before they went to sleep. Caroline, who is now a private childcare consultant, revealed to the publication that bedtime was "beautifully ordinary" in the Wales household.

"There were cuddles, books, the occasional giggle fit," she claimed. "It was beautifully ordinary. People imagine strict formality, but the truth is, it was warm, loving, and very normal."

Prince George, Charlotte and Louis have grown up a lot since then and the routine has likely evolved as a result. However, it wouldn’t be surprising if many elements of their "normal" night-time routine have stuck around and are upheld at Adelaide Cottage.

We know that books have remained a key part of the Wales family’s evening ritual over the years. In 2020 during a visit to Mumbles, Prince William spotted someone holding a copy of Julia Donaldson’s Room on the Broom and excitedly shared it was a popular choice in his house.

"I read this to our children all the time," he exclaimed, as per the Daily Mail, before adding that he’d met Julia when she received her CBE for services to literature.

He continued, "I said, "do you realise how many parents you have saved at bed time?". David Walliams also does good books for children - for a little bit older children I think. I've read one and it was really, really good."

The Princess of Wales has another book that she, Prince George, Charlotte and Louis love too. In 2023 she visited Sebby’s Corner and reportedly donated 50 copies of The Owl Who Was Afraid Of The Dark to the charity, which supports families in need in London and Hertfordshire.

Bianca Sakol, the founder and CEO of Sebby’s Corner told People that this was "so lovely" and that this was a book "she said she enjoyed reading with her children".

The future Queen also read this Wales family favourite book as her CBeebies Bedtime Story to mark Children's Mental Health Week in 2022.

Prince William passed on Prince George's hilarious warning to a TV star at a recent engagement in Somerset.

Watching certain shows together is a pastime for so many people and this includes the Wales family. From Kate and Princess Charlotte’s love of Strictly Come Dancing, to all of them avidly watching sport, we’ve heard of a few programmes the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children enjoy at Adelaide Cottage. Prince William has now revealed another one that Prince George is a fan of - but the 11-year-old had a few choice words for one of the stars!

The Prince of Wales visited Folly Farm in Somerset on 26th March and took part in discussions with 60 of the Duchy of Cornwall’s next generation of farming tenants about mental health within the farming community. He was also joined by Clarkson’s Farm’s Kaleb Cooper and passed on Prince George’s hilarious message about the star’s swearing.

"You've got George watching now," the future King told Kaleb and his co-star Charlie Ireland. "I said to him 'What shall I say if I meet Kaleb?' He said, 'Tell Kaleb to mind his language’."

The Clarkson’s Farm Amazon documentary is filmed at former TopGear presenter Jeremy Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm in Oxfordshire and farmer Kaleb is known for his colourful language. Speaking later about his light-hearted warning from Prince George, as per the BBC, Kaleb explained that he got "told off" but was simply thrilled that he’s watching.

"I did get told off for swearing too much… I tried to stop, but at the same time, it's awesome," he shared. "That's what I like about the whole show… I've had so many people thank me, going 'you brought the family together'. It's a great feeling."

Agronomist and land agent Charlie reportedly echoed this, saying that it was "great" to hear that Prince George is now watching the show as it’s "meant to bring everyone together" on the "family sofa". It seems likely that Prince William, who, as Duke of Cornwall, has plenty of farming tenants, watches Clarkson’s Farm with his son too.

Prince George will no doubt be thrilled to see his dad appearing on an upcoming episode as a camera crew from the series followed the Prince of Wales on his trip to Somerset. Prince William will also appear on a future episode of Countryfile after participating in the panel session and these engagements coincided with the announcement that he’s now Patron of We Are Farming Minds.

Founded by Duchy of Cornwall tenants Sam and Emily Stables, this vital charity provides events, training, support and advice to farmers in Herefordshire and beyond. Prince William’s patronage is in line with the Duchy’s rural mental health strategy and when he becomes King in the future, Prince George will succeed him as Duke of Cornwall.

In light of this, his childhood love of Clarkson’s Farm might stand him in good stead as he learns more about the agricultural community. When he was younger, Prince George was "obsessed" with tractors according to his dad, and in 2022 it was revealed that he was helping at the farm at Anmer Hall in Norfolk.

"There’s also a farm, and Kate recently revealed George helps out in the holidays by moving animal feed," royal expert Ingrid Seward claimed to The Sun. "And he loves tractors, as William once revealed, so he can go out on a tractor as well. It’s all there."

Prince George, Charlotte and Louis apparently found the Princess of Wales’s discovery near Anmer Hall absolutely "fascinating".

The Princess of Wales can seemingly turn her hand to almost anything, from tennis to piano playing and drawing. Over the years we’ve seen her showcase so many skills but she’s still adding new ones to her repertoire alongside her royal role and being a hands-on mum to Prince George, Charlotte and Louis. Although the Wales family are based at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor during term time, their Anmer Hall home in Norfolk holds a special place in their hearts and Kate recently revealed the discovery she made nearby that was "fascinating" to her kids.

According to Hello!, the Princess of Wales reportedly explained to a group of volunteers at Meadow Street Community Garden and Woodland that she’s learning to forage as a new hobby. She visited the garden in Pontypridd with Prince William on 26th February and shared that she found a "huge" puffball mushroom near Anmer Hall.

"The children thought it was fascinating," Kate apparently added during the visit, which saw her learn more about how the volunteers worked to restore the garden in the wake of Storm Bert and Storm Darragh’s devastation last year.

Foraging isn’t restricted to mushrooms and the Princess of Wales could end up being able to safely identify and enjoy plenty of edible goodies from the Norfolk countryside, from nuts to seeds and other plants. Wild garlic foraging season is also now in full swing and given how intrigued Prince George, Charlotte and Louis were about her mushroom finding efforts already, it’s possible that they could join her for a family foraging trip sometime.

Foraging is a Royal Family favourite hobby already as both King Charles and Queen Camilla are avid mushroom foragers. Writing in his book Cooking and the Crown: Royal Recipes from Queen Victoria to King Charles III, Tom Parker Bowles described wild mushrooms as an "obsession" for his mother and stepfather who are "deeply competitive about their hauls".

"They’re both very keen mycologists, and both know their mushrooms very, very well. This time of year, depending on rain, there’s ceps and chanterelles… I go with my mother and there’s a lot of fantastic mushrooming in Scotland. It’s a shared pleasure," Tom said, as per The Independent.

His Majesty is understood to have set out on a solo mushroom foraging trip in August 2011, so if Kate needs any extra tips she has the perfect person to turn to. Whether or not she’ll bring her children along at some point, Kate and Prince William prioritise spending time outdoors with Prince George, Charlotte and Louis and the young royals love it.

Speaking on the 2020 ITV documentary, Prince William: A Planet For Us All, the future King declared, "Seeing my children, seeing the passion in their eyes and the love for being outdoors… They find a bug or they love watching how bees are forming the honey. George particularly, if he's not outdoors he's quite like a caged animal. He needs to get outside."

The Princess of Wales keeps bees at Anmer Hall and it was near her Windsor home that Prince Louis took a special photo of his mum out in nature released to mark World Cancer Day 2025.

The Princess of Wales is facing a "looming responsibility" and according to a royal expert she could be making sure George, Charlotte and Louis can "deal" with it too.

Navigating the balance of public and family life can’t be easy for the Prince and Princess of Wales, but with their royal roles set to change one day it’s possible this could become even more challenging. Although it’s Prince William and Kate who will bear the responsibility and duties that come with being King and Queen in the future, this will also have an impact upon Prince George, Charlotte and Louis too. The family currently lives at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor treading a considered line between maintaining the children’s privacy and public appearances.

However, royal expert and author of My Mother and I, Ingrid Seward, believes that Kate is well aware of what lies ahead. In her view, she "needs to make sure" that Prince George, Charlotte and Louis can "deal" with the extra pressure and scrutiny that being Queen will bring in its wake.

Speaking to Hello!, she claimed, "Kate knows there is a looming, massive responsibility coming, but she can't do anything about that, so she just needs to make sure that the family she's bringing up are able to deal with it."

The royal expert went on to suggest that despite knowing she must rise to the "responsibility" of being Queen one day, the Princess of Wales might also be eager to put her family first when she can after all she's been through recently. In September Kate shared a heartfelt message and video by Will Warr confirming that she had "completed" her cancer treatment after revealing her diagnosis in March.

"It must have been very difficult for her to deal with her family and her illness at the same time, and she obviously realises that the children have been through a hard time too," Ingrid stated. "I think the illness has made her keen to prioritise her family even more, because they are the future. Obviously, she wants to support her husband and the monarchy, but she's going to make sure that she does it in such a way that it doesn't take her away from the family too much."

"It must have been very difficult for her to deal with her family and her illness at the same time, and she obviously realises that the children have been through a hard time too," Ingrid stated. "I think the illness has made her keen to prioritise her family even more, because they are the future. Obviously, she wants to support her husband and the monarchy, but she's going to make sure that she does it in such a way that it doesn't take her away from the family too much."

As parents Prince William and Kate are both understood to be very hands-on, doing school pick ups and drop-offs and encouraging their children’s hobbies. Whilst it isn’t always possible since they’ve become Prince and Princess of Wales, the couple also try to keep their diaries free from engagements during Prince George, Charlotte and Louis’s school holidays so they can spend as much time together as a family as they can.

Maintaining this sense of normality for them despite their royal titles might stand them in good stead when it comes to handling the impact of the "looming responsibility" Prince William and Kate will have one day. The Wales family’s most recent public appearance was on Christmas Day and George, Charlotte and Louis have now returned to school.

However, they will surely be looking forward to celebrating Kate’s 43rd birthday in some way on 9th January. Precious moments with her loved ones are something which, as Ingrid stated, the mum-of-three does seem to be focusing on even more than ever now and the Princess remarked upon this herself in her message back in September.

"This time has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted. Of simply loving and being loved," she declared.

The Prince and Princess of Wales have shared their 2024 Christmas card photo a little later this year and it features them, Prince George, Charlotte and Louis around one of the most significant moments of the entire year.

Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without the Prince and Princess of Wales’s annual festive card which always features a special snap of the family. Over the years we’ve seen Prince William, Kate, Prince George, Charlotte and Louis beaming during a sunny holiday in Jordan in 2021, and sitting happily in front of an autumnal log pile at Anmer Hall in 2020. The future King and Queen usually share their Christmas card photo on social media in early to mid December, but this year they waited a little longer.

Their 2024 Christmas card picture is a still from the heart-warming video by Will Warr that was released alongside Kate’s announcement that she had completed her cancer treatment. The picture shows her, Prince William, George Charlotte and Louis with their arms round each other in Norfolk.

In a perhaps unintentional nod to their 2020 Christmas photo, this one shows them all sitting on a pile of logs in the picturesque countryside on a sunshine-filled day. At first glance this picture is already an adorable snapshot of a special day spent together during Prince George, Charlotte and Louis’s school holidays. However, Kate and Prince William’s choice of this particular photo is particularly significant given the pivotal moment this represents.

Although they could have decided to have a new picture taken or gone for one from a different time, the Prince and Princess of Wales chose this still from the video which publicly confirmed to the world that Kate had completed her treatment. This was such a meaningful video reflecting upon a hugely important moment in her life after all she’d gone through so far in 2024.

In her message, the Princess of Wales expressed "relief" at completing chemotherapy and spoke of how her perspective upon life has evolved.

"With humility, it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before, and with that, a new perspective on everything," she said. "This time has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted. Of simply loving and being loved."

Kate and Prince William’s Christmas card for 2024 captures this renewed focus on love and simplicity perfectly. It shines a light on their close family bond during a family day out in nature. This picture is also more candid than we traditionally see from the more official, posed royal Christmas cards and exudes warmth and happiness.

Giving it an extra special feel was the animation they added this year - something that we’ve not seen from the Wales’s Christmas card photo post before. For 2024 the family’s card was pictured displayed on a wooden table in front of a Christmas tree with animated snow falling gently downwards and giving it an even more festive and magical feel.

According to the BBC, the Wales family are already in Norfolk ahead of them spending Christmas Day with the royals at Sandringham House. This will likely be the next time Prince William, Kate, Prince George, Charlotte and Louis are seen in public, although we can’t help hoping they might release another special photo on Christmas Day too like they did last year.

Prince George, Charlotte and Louis could be likely to receive a special festive privilege so they can enjoy their mum Kate’s big moment.

The festive season is all about spending time with your loved ones and it’s around this time of year that we tend to see a few rare glimpses of the Prince and Princess of Wales’s three children out in public. Of course, we can expect to see Prince George, Charlotte and Louis walking to church from Sandringham on Christmas Day, but ahead of this they’ll likely attend their mum’s Together at Christmas carol service. Prince George and Princess Charlotte made their debut at the service in 2022 and last year Prince Louis joined the rest of his family for the first time - providing several cute moments for fans to enjoy in the process!

This year the Princess of Wales’s carol service will be filmed on Friday 6th December and according to Hello!, guests are expected to arrive at 3:30pm for a 5pm start. If this is the case, then Prince George, Charlotte and Louis could receive the special festive privilege of leaving school early to make it.

The Wales children attend Lambrook School near the family’s Adelaide Cottage home in Berkshire, but term doesn’t end for Christmas until 13th December. It’s been suggested that the full day at Lambrook lasts until 5:20pm and even if this isn’t still the case, finishing in mid-afternoon like many schools would still mean a tight turnaround.

If Prince George, Charlotte and Louis do follow the pattern of previous years and join Prince William and Kate at Together at Christmas, they’d have to have time to get ready and travel to London ready for the 5pm start. In light of this, it seems likely that the school might give them some kind of special dispensation to leave slightly earlier. This would be a lovely thing to do and would ensure they definitely don’t miss out on their mum’s big moment.

The return of her annual carol service has been highly anticipated and will be one of the most high-profile public appearances she’s made since she completed cancer treatment. It’s expected that plenty of Royal Family members will be there to show their support, as well as Kate’s parents Michael and Carole Middleton and her siblings Pippa and James, who have all attended in the past.

Each year Together at Christmas has a specific focus and the one for the 2024 service is love and empathy and how much we need each other, especially at the most difficult times of our lives. With such a special and deeply poignant message behind it, it’ll be wonderful for the Princess to have her own beloved family, including Prince George, Charlotte and Louis, with her.

"It’s a date that many of her family, on both sides, will not want to miss,” the BBC’s former royal correspondent Jennie Bond previously claimed to OK!. “And I’m sure they will make it as big a family event as possible. It will also be a chance for the children to see mum back in action, looking well and happy. And that will be the best Christmas present they could hope for.”

Jennie also reflected that the service has become an “occasion when we see quite a large turnout of the Royal Family” that “really marks the beginning of the royal Christmas”.

“This carol concert is Catherine’s way of thanking all those who have supported her and shown her kindness,” Jennie stated. “I think it’s lovely that the congregation will be largely made up of people who’ve helped or been helped."