How Prince William and Princess Kate Have Tried to Give Prince George a "Childhood As Normal As Possible" Ahead of His 10th Birthday
He turns 10 on July 22.
![Prince George at the Easter Service in 2023](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Jxx75WRBJYHsnox7CEwQJn-415-80.jpg)
As Prince George prepares to celebrate his milestone 10th birthday this coming weekend, all sorts of royal experts and commentators are looking back at his life so far—and at Prince William and Princess Kate's way of raising a future King.
One of the commentators that's repeatedly called upon to weigh in on the Royal Family is former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond and, as ever, she has thoughts in this instance as well.
"Even though he has such a big destiny ahead, his parents have tried very hard to make his childhood as normal as possible," Bond told OK!, echoing a sentiment that has often been expressed regarding the Wales children.
For Bond, the central tenet to this normal childhood is the privacy William and Kate have insisted on since George was born.
"Key to that was agreeing with the press that he and his siblings would largely be left alone in exchange for Catherine and William releasing photos of them at key points in their lives," Bond said, referring to the sweet family photos we get to see on the kids' birthdays and on Mother's and Father's Days, among other occasions.
"I don't think it was a written agreement, but an informal arrangement with the press and Catherine took the initiative of suddenly releasing these pictures on special occasions and birthdays.
"Although there had been an agreement with the press that William and Harry would be left alone at school, years had gone by and Harry had been pictured coming out of nightclubs so everything went a bit lax.
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
"So Catherine's initiative to release these pictures on birthdays made a big difference because the press then realized that if they stepped back, they were going to get these lovely shots that they probably would never get otherwise."
For Bond, this privacy agreement has proven quite beneficial to George in particular, since he seems to be naturally a bit more reserved than his siblings.
"It’s an arrangement that has worked very well and George now copes pretty well with cameras and public attention when he is at big occasions. But even for a 10-year-old, it must be a bit disconcerting," she said.
"Lately I think George has had a bit of luck because Louis has earned himself the reputation of being the kid who clowns around and grabs the spotlight. So that takes the heat off George a bit!"
When it comes to normalcy in George's life, this isn't always easy to come by among the Wales family, with Kate being "acutely aware of the pressure of raising George as the future monarch," as royal expert Angela Levin previously put it.
Iris Goldsztajn is a London-based journalist, editor and author. She is the morning editor at Marie Claire, and her work has appeared in the likes of British Vogue, InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Refinery29 and SELF. Iris writes about everything from celebrity news and relationship advice to the pitfalls of diet culture and the joys of exercise. She has many opinions on Harry Styles, and can typically be found eating her body weight in cheap chocolate.
-
Kaia Gerber and Cindy Crawford Medal in Mother-Daughter Olympic Matching
The pair touched down in Paris wearing coordinating navy looks.
By Julia Marzovilla Published
-
Prince Harry Reveals Royal Family Rift Was Worsened by Tabloids
"Yeah, that’s certainly a central piece to it."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Here's the Most 'Wicked' Twist on Olympics Opening Ceremony Style
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande heard "Paris" but not "Olympics."
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
Queen Mary of Denmark Was Hit By a Scooter While Visiting Greenland
Video of the accident was shared on TikTok.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Why Did Prince William Remove Queen Camilla's Sister From His Payroll?
She was hired by King Charles in 2005.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Meghan Markle "Fears" Being "Heckled" If She Returns to U.K.
"The last thing she needs is the stress of going back."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Critics Claim Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Tried to "Upstage" Prince George
"He wants to steal the thunder with his Invictus Games announcement."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Why the Royal Family's Income Just Increased By a Whopping $58 Million
Now that's an impressive pay rise.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
The British Royal Family Suddenly Cancels Numerous Planned Engagements Amid an Already Chaotic 2024
Expect to see very little of the royals for the next six weeks, as the fate of this year’s Trooping the Colour and a planned Japanese state visit hang in the balance.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Another European Royal Is Set to Abdicate the Throne—Though When, Exactly, Remains Unclear
This follows the shocking abdication of Queen Margrethe of Denmark earlier this year.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands Shares Swoon-Worthy Story of How He Met His Wife, Queen Maxima, in Spain 25 Years Ago
He raised a glass to the country during a state banquet at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam, held in honor of King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain.
By Rachel Burchfield Published