Why Prince William and Kate Middleton are 'nervous' for Prince George's future

Kate Middleton and Prince William are "nervous" about what the future holds for Prince George as he prepares to grow up in an era very different to his parents.

• The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are "nervous" about Prince George growing up in an era of social media and internet trolls, according to a source. 
• The parents are keen to "shield" the future King from the limelight until necessary. 
• This follows royal news that Sarah Ferguson claims Princess Diana would be "proud" of Meghan and Harry. 

Like most protective parents, Kate Middleton and Prince William have their reservations about their children growing up in an age of social media and internet trolls.

The couple are especially concerned for their eldest son, Prince George, who turned eight earlier this month and looked like his father in an adorable new birthday portrait. 

According to US Weekly, a royal source said, "Of course, William and Kate are nervous about what the future holds for George.

"He’s growing up in a different era to his parents. Times have changed since then. There wasn’t social media or internet trolls when William and Kate were children."

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge got their first taste of what the future could hold for their son after he was mocked online for wearing a suit at the England v Germany Euros 2020 match at Wembley. 

And according to royal insiders it's caused them to put their guard back up and shield the future King for as long as they can. 

"The Cambridges feel it’s necessary to shield George, Charlotte and Louis from the spotlight and have become cautious about the appearances [they] make,” the insider added. 

“Kate and William are being more selective about the events he attends.”

Having been clear about wanting to raise Prince George to live a normal life, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are having to slowly but surely drip-feed the reality of royal life to Prince George, whilst protecting him at the same time.

Kate and William's decision to take Prince George to Wembley Arena was branded a "clever" way of introducing him to royal duties by the Sunday Times' Royal Correspondent, Roya Nikkah. But it could have backfired.

She told True Royalty TV’s The Royal Beat, "It was a very clever way of introducing him to public duties at such a young age because this is an official duty for Prince George at the age of seven.

"It's lovely and happy and there's a lot of emotion. Getting him used to big crowds and knowing that he is being watched by millions of people—it's quite a clever way of doing it."

At home, Prince George is just like any other child and according to royal sources the couple want to keep it that way for as long as possible.

 “He’s not called Prince George at school and is simply known as George,” the insider explained.

“He mixes with children his own age. Kate and William don’t shower him with expensive gifts nor do they over spoil him. Despite his future role, they don’t want him to grow up too quickly. 

"He engages [in] activities similar to any other 8-year-old — playing board games, horse-riding lessons, swimming, baking with his brother and sister, playing football and he can’t wait to start rugby too!”