Kate Middleton Has a “Different Role” When It Comes to Preparing Prince George to Become King

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 5: Catherine, Princess of Wales and Prince George join Second World War veterans at a tea party in Buckingham Palace following the military procession to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day on May 5, 2025 in London, England. The King and Queen, joined by Members of the Royal Family, will take part in events from May 5th to May 8th to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of VE Day, which signalled the end of the Second World War in Europe. (Photo by Jordan Pettitt - WPA Pool/Getty Images) — (Image credit: Getty Images)

Knowing you're in line to someday become a literal monarch would be a lot to put on anyone, let alone on a child—which is why kid-who-will-eventually-be-king Prince George has a lot of people who are already helping him prepare for that daunting destiny, including his parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales.

According to royal historian Marlene Koenig, Kate Middleton's role in preparing her 12-year-old son for his future on the throne is very "different" than that of her husband, Prince William.

While William and his father, King Charles, will focus on preparing George with “the knowledge and practice of their roles," Koenig says Kate will be focused on treating George like a son, rather than a monarch-in-training.

“She will never have a constitutional role, except as regent in a worst-case scenario, if George becomes king before age 18,” Koenig explained in a new interview with Us Weekly. “She is there to be the loving, supportive mom in everything George does, because he is her son first and foremost.”

Just because Kate will focus on treating George like a son first doesn't mean she isn't also thoughtfully preparing him for his future role in The Firm though. The 43-year-old mother of three is a self-taught expert in how to not just survive, but thrive in a high-profile life as part of the royal family—a role she never took lightly herself.

"She 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 as a member of the royal family," Koenig explained. "In time, as wife of the heir to the throne and eventually as a Queen consort. She is also the mother of a future king."

Preparing George for his future life as king has, of course, been part of every parenting decision Kate has made since he was born—long before he started any of his more formal preparations for the the role. And, for what it's worth, Koenig says the young royal's preparations for his future life in the public eye already appear to be paying off.

Koenig points to King Charles' coronation in 2023, where George made royal family history when he took part in the ceremony, serving as one of Charles' train bearers.

Prince George of Wales (in his role as Page of Honour) and King Charles III watch an RAF flypast from the balcony of Buckingham Palace following the Coronation of King Charles III &amp; Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey on May 6, 2023 in London, England.

“George is the first member of the royal family to have such a role in the service,” Koenig explained. “If the young prince was nervous, he didn’t show it.”

Well done, Team Prepare-Prince-George-to-Be-King. Well done.

Kayleigh Roberts is a freelance writer and editor with over 10 years of professional experience covering entertainment of all genres, from new movie and TV releases to nostalgia, and celebrity news. 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.