
- According to a new report, Prince George (opens in new tab) learned sometime "around his seventh birthday" that he's going to be king someday.
- Royal historian and author Robert Lacey (opens in new tab) wrote about Prince William and Kate Middleton's approach to breaking the news to George in a new chapter for his biography Battle of Brothers.
- "Sometime around the boy's seventh birthday in the summer of 2020 it is thought that his parents went into more detail about what the little prince's life of future royal 'service and duty' would particularly involve," Lacey wrote.
Prince William and Kate Middleton (opens in new tab) make a point to treat all three of their kids as equals, but there is something that sets their oldest son, Prince George (opens in new tab) apart, not just from his siblings, but from, well, almost every other human on the planet. In fact, only a few of George's own relatives really get it. George is a direct heir to the British throne, a distinction shared only by his dad, Prince William (opens in new tab), and his grandfather, Prince Charles (opens in new tab).
According to royal historian Robert Lacey, Will and Kate put a lot of thought into how and when to explain to George that he'll be king someday—and what that means—and that the couple wanted to have the conversation with George at a "controlled moment of their choice."
In a new chapter for his book Battle of Brothers (opens in new tab), Lacey explained that the Cambridges are thought to have broken the news to George sometime around his seventh birthday, which the young royal celebrated in July 2020.
"William has not revealed to the world how and when he broke the big news to his son. Maybe one day George will tell us the story himself. But sometime around the boy's seventh birthday in the summer of 2020 it is thought that his parents went into more detail about what the little prince's life of future royal 'service and duty' would particularly involve," Lacey wrote in the new chapter, according to the Daily Mail (opens in new tab). "William's aim as a father, the prince stressed, was to give his son 'a normal family upbringing,' enabling the monarchy 'to stay relevant and keep up with modern times.'"
As the Daily Mail points out, if Lacey's timeline for the conversation is accurate, it means George wasn't aware of his future role in the royal family when he posed alongside the Queen, Prince Charles, and Prince William (opens in new tab) for the instantly-iconic "Four Monarchs" photo in December 2019.
A post shared by Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@dukeandduchessofcambridge) (opens in new tab)
A photo posted by on
Royal author and expert Katie Nicholl (opens in new tab) has said in the past that Will and Kate were trying to introduce George "gradually" to the fact that he'll be the monarch someday, but that the young royal has known for some time that he's "different" than his siblings because he's often "singled out" to spend more time with his great-grandmother, the Queen (and, of course, for things like the Four Monarchs portrait).
"They make a point of ensuring their three children feel equal and that they’re all treated the same," Nicholl told OK! (opens in new tab) of Will and Kate's parenting strategy.
RELATED STORIES
Kayleigh Roberts is a freelance writer and editor with more than 10 years of professional experience. Her byline has appeared in Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, The Atlantic, Allure, Entertainment Weekly, MTV, Bustle, Refinery29, Girls’ Life Magazine, Just Jared, and Tiger Beat, among other publications. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
-
Can Light Therapy Get Rid of My Acne?
Blue and red light are where it’s at.
By Samantha Holender
-
The Best Slip Dresses for Any Season
The humble slip dress could be the most versatile dress you own.
By Brooke Knappenberger
-
Miley Cyrus Celebrated 'Flowers' Making Number 1 Around the World in a Sexy Little Black Dress
No notes.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Royals Probably "Laughed" About Kim Kardashian Buying Princess Diana's Necklace, Expert Claims
It's probably not a big deal to them.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Are Likely "Shocked" by the "Negative Pushback" Over 'Spare,' Royal Expert Says
They thought it would be more like the aftermath of Oprah.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Princess Diana Didn't Want to Move Away From England, Her Former Butler Claims
Obviously, we can't ever really know the truth.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
King Charles Will Not Hold "Peace Talks" With Harry and Meghan Before the Coronation, Royal Expert Claims
Oh.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Princess Diana's Butler Responds to Prince Harry Referring to Him as "The Butler" in 'Spare'
Paul Burrell says he's confused and hurt.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Princess Eugenie's New Baby Will Allow the Royal Family to "Put Behind Them a Year of Sorrow and Conflict," Astrologer Says
All good things!
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Prince Harry "Should Have Been Prince William's Wingman," Has Become His "Hitman" Instead, Royal Expert Says
That doesn't sound good.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
There's No Chance of Reconciliation Between Prince Harry and His Family "In the Short Term," Royal Expert Claims
Urgh.
By Iris Goldsztajn