Prince George has made his debut in Country Life, and it looks like he could give his talented family members a run for their money. Prince William guest edited the latest issue of the British magazine, and he included a sketch by his 13-year-old son that would’ve made the late Prince Philip proud.

A colorful, incredibly detailed drawing of a kingfisher sitting on a branch is featured in Country Life, and according to the publication, George “completed the drawing a year ago.” The Wales family can often be found enjoying time outdoors together, and the outlet noted that George’s impressive sketch “hints at a childhood spent looking beyond screens.”

This isn’t the first time Prince William and Princess Kate have highlighted their son’s work. In February 2025, drawings Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte created of their mom were shared on Kensington Palace's social media accounts, with George contributing a mature line drawing of Princess Kate.

The royal couple also posted an adorable painting of a reindeer created by a 9-year-old George on Christmas Day 2022, with plenty of fans praising the future King’s talent.

Although Prince William doesn’t fancy himself an artist, Princess Kate shares her son’s love of drawing and was an art history major at the University of St Andrews, where she met William.

A love of art runs throughout the Royal Family. Prince Philip enjoyed oil painting, with his most notable work, The Queen at Breakfast, featuring Queen Elizabeth reading the paper at her breakfast table in Windsor Castle.

King Charles prefers watercolors and often paints when he's on royal tours, although he recently admitted he rarely has the time these days. His work has raised millions of pounds for charity and in 1991, a book titled HRH The Prince of Wales Watercolours was released.

"I took up painting entirely because I found photography less than satisfying...I find it transports me into another dimension which, quite literally, refreshes parts of the soul which other activities can't reach," he wrote.

Prince George is following in his father's footsteps in so many ways. But according to one report, George might be faced with a particularly "bad idea" while attending his dad's alma mater, Eton College.

Just last week, George traveled to Barcelona with dad Prince William to watch their favorite soccer team, Aston Villa, play in the city. Unfortunately for George, deciding to support the same soccer team as the Prince of Wales might cause some problems at school.

According to Hello! magazine, "[W]hile the 13-year-old will be keen to fit in with his peers, there is one thing...that will set him apart from the rest."

Per the outlet, George's decision to be an Aston Villa supporter "is likely to make him a football outsider as many of the pupils, who will be from London and the Home Counties will side with...Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Tottenham Hotspur." Aston Villa, meanwhile, is based in Birmingham, England.

As for how Prince William became an Aston Villa supporter, he told the BBC in 2015, "A long time ago at school I got into football big time. I was looking around for clubs. All my friends at school were either Man United fans or Chelsea fans and I didn't want to follow the run of the mill teams."

The Prince of Wales explained, "I wanted to have a team that was more mid-table that could give me more emotional rollercoaster moments."

However, William also noted that his decision might have caused him some stress throughout the years.

As he told the BBC, "To be honest, now looking back, that was a bad idea...I could have had an easier time!"

Basically, it's likely that Prince George will experience the very same "emotional rollercoaster" his father went through as an Aston Villa supporter.

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On November 8, Princess Kate and Prince William joined King Charles and Queen Camilla at the Cenotaph in London for the annual Remembrance Sunday service and parade. However, Kate and William's three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—notably weren't in attendance at the important event.

Remembrance Sunday honors the service of all of the military and armed forces personnel who have sacrificed their lives. While there are likely many reasons why George, Charlotte, and Louis didn't accompany their parents to the event, one reason might stand out above all others.

"One of the leading factors is the solemnity of the event," Hello! magazine suggested. "Given it is such a formal occasion, it is reserved strictly for senior working members of the Royal Family."

Attending such a high-profile and serious engagement would likely be extremely nerve-wracking for George, Charlotte, and Louis. As the royal kids often find themselves in the spotlight, being under the microscope at a somber, memorial event would likely be much more challenging.

Of course, as Prince George is second in line to the throne, it's fairly safe to assume he will start attending the Remembrance Sunday service in the future.

For reference, his dad William first attended the engagement at 22 years old in 2004, Hello! reported. Hence, it might well be a decade before George, 13, is present at the service.

George did, however, attend the Festival of Remembrance alongside his mom, Princess Kate, in 2025.

As for whether George, Charlotte, and Louis will ever attend the event as a trio remains unclear.

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Prince William and Prince George recently traveled to Barcelona together to watch a soccer match. But according to one report, the two royals broke protocol during their commercial flight to Spain.

Fellow passengers were reportedly surprised when they spotted two future Kings traveling on a commercial flight together, seemingly breaking a significant Royal Family rule. The father and son traveled to Spain to watch their favorite soccer team, Aston Villa, play against Barcelona in the Champions League on November 3.

As reported by Royal Central, footage of William and George disembarking from "what appeared to be a British Airways flight to Barcelona" has been posted online.

Per the outlet, "Their decision to travel together is particularly notable given the traditional arrangements surrounding the Royal Family's line of succession, which have historically discouraged two direct heirs from sharing an aircraft."

As noted by Royal Central, "The unwritten convention is intended to protect the succession in the event of an aviation disaster, although it has never been legally binding and has been followed inconsistently over the years."

While George and William's decision to travel together hasn't broken any laws, it's certainly unconventional and against traditional royal protocol. However, their willingness to travel on commercial flights, rather than on private planes, is certainly refreshing.

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Prince William's parenting skills have pleased royal fans, once again. On November 3, William and his eldest son, Prince George, traveled to Barcelona to watch the city's soccer club play against Aston Villa. But it was Prince William's "dad mode" moments that caught the attention of royal fans.

During the match, William and George were seen cuddling up, with the young royal even leaning his head on his dad's shoulder. This adorable "dad mode" moment proved that Prince William is a hands-on father who isn't afraid of public displays of affection. Basically, the vulnerability captured by photographers showed just how close William is to his children—a huge change considering historical reports of emotional distance between royal parents and their kids.

As reported by the Telegraph, "A pair of heirs to the throne displaying some distinctly soft British upper lip. And how wonderful it was. The tiniest of gestures but it sums up the best and deepest moments of a father-son relationship, in this case, two chaps who like watching their shared favorite team."

The publication further noted that royal fans took to social media to express their delight over George and William's adorable father-son moment.

Writing about the moment on X, one fan said, "Prince William is a model father."

Another commenter shared, "You know you did a great job as a parent when your 13-year-old son has no problems leaning on you knowing cameras everywhere are watching. Goes to show just [the] type of parents both the Prince and Princess of Wales are. They should be very proud of themselves."

Someone else wrote, "The devotion and connection within the Wales family is palpable. I love this special family."

Another commenter praised both Prince William and Princess Kate's amazing parenting skills.

"This is the new image of the monarchy that William and Catherine have pioneered and deserve full credit for: a future King who is first and foremost a family man and who prioritizes his marriage and family above everything else," they wrote on X. "William and Catherine have transformed the austere image of the Royal Family into a 'normal family.'"

Both William and George might be heirs to the British throne, but when they're watching Aston Villa play, they're just a normal father and son. Unsurprisingly, royal fans are enamored with the pair's sweet father-son relationship.

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As members of the Royal Family, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis regularly attend public royal engagements and high-profile events. However, a series of "controversial changes" might impact the young royals in 2027, per a new report.

Princess Kate and Prince William, along with their three children, are reportedly "facing fears over their safety," according to the Express. Per the outlet, the Metropolitan Police have recently announced "plans to make security cuts from one of" the Royal Family's most important annual celebrations.

The Telegraph first reported on the changes, sharing the news that the Met Police had "'cut the vast majority' of officers it provides to police The King's birthday parade [Trooping the Colour], as well as other ceremonial events including gun salutes and Changing of the Guard."

According to the report, the police force will provide a "minimal" presence at some of the Royal Family's most important events moving forward.

"The bulk of the responsibility will instead be contracted to a private company," the Telegraph revealed.

Per the outlet, the Met Police claimed they would continue to "provide support" after conducting "threat, harm, and risk assessments." Budget cuts were blamed for the changes.

Reacting to news of the suggested changes, shadow defense secretary James Cartlidge told the publication, "These are very concerning reports...These events are cherished by the British public, who honor our veterans and service personnel."

Changes to security provisions at prominent Royal Family events are likely to affect senior royals and their children moving forward. As a result, George, Charlotte, and Louis's appearances might potentially be more limited, depending on whether safety and security can be assured.

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Princess Kate recently shared that she couldn't wait for her Prince George to return from Eton College for his first half-term break, and on November 3, it was revealed that at least two members of the Wales family are currently enjoying some time off in Spain.

Prince William and Prince George were spotted attending an Aston Villa match against FC Barcelona on Tuesday night, with the Telegraph reporting that the pair were gifted Barcelona shirts by club president Joan Laporta.

George was dressed casually in a black Adidas jacket with the Aston Villa logo, while the Prince of Wales wore a navy coat and baseball hat on the rainy night in Barcelona.

Prince William has been an Aston Villa fan for years and often brings his teenage son with him to matches, like the Champions League quarter-final game in Paris last spring.

Unfortunately, Aston Villa lost to Barcelona 3-0 on Tuesday, but despite the loss and the terrible weather, it was a rare chance for the two future Kings to enjoy a one-on-one outing.

“I think those memories are really important to create, and bringing him along tonight is a big deal for me," the Prince of Wales said in Paris last year, adding how exciting it was for George, who was 11 at the time, to “experience a night out away from home in a big European competition."

As for Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte, it's unclear if they're also in Spain at the moment, but Princess Kate told a woman they were potentially taking a trip for their half-term break when she visited East Anglia's Children's Hospices last month.

"She said she's looking forward to George coming home—she's missed him,” Denise Ashton, who met the Princess of Wales, told journalists, per Hello! “They may be going somewhere [during the break]," Ashton added.

Earlier this year, Princess Kate embarked upon the Three Peaks Challenge in order to raise money for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, where she received cancer treatment. Now, the Prince and Princess of Wales have shared a new photo taken after Kate completed the physical test, which shows their three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—looking more grown up then ever.

Sharing the post on Instagram, the caption drew attention to Mountain Rescue Awareness Day and all of the people that keep climbers and hikers safe.

In the photo, Princess Kate and Prince William posed with a large team of people, as well as their three children, in front of a lush green landscape. In the picture, George, Charlotte, and Louis proudly posed with their mom, while twinning in matching jeans and sneakers.

The caption shared, "On Mountain Rescue Awareness Day, we send our heartfelt thanks to all those who volunteer their time and expertize to keep people safe in some of our most beautiful but challenging landscapes."

The post continued, "Meeting local mountain rescue teams during the Three Peaks Challenge this summer was an opportunity to say thank you in person for the vital role they play in keeping walkers and climbers safe on the mountains all year round."

Furthermore, Kate and William said they were "incredibly proud to support the extraordinary volunteers" who work diligently to help anyone who finds themselves in distress while on the mountains.

They completed the statement by writing, "To everyone across the mountain rescue community, thank you for your unwavering commitment, courage and service. W & C."

Notably, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis appeared to be quite emotional after reuniting with their mom following her exhausting excursion. And as the new group photo shows, all three children are growing up so fast, but they're not against wearing matching outfits just yet.

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On October 23, Prince William made a surprise appearance on The Graham Norton Show, where he opened up about attending Taylor Swift's Eras Tour in London in 2024. The Prince of Wales famously took selfies with his kids, Princess Charlotte and Prince George, and the singer backstage. But according to William, he wasn't entirely comfortable with Swift's then-boyfriend, Travis Kelce, being in the photos, too.

Norton asked Prince William whether he was aware that Swift was about to make her relationship with Kelce Instagram official with their backstage selfie.

"I wasn't until recently," Prince William explained (via the Daily Mail). "I hadn't appreciated the significance, and actually—I was trying to move him out of the photo!"

The Prince of Wales continued, "Travis kept coming back in, and I couldn't work out why he kept coming back in. I was trying to move him out so it was just me and Taylor and the children!"

Ultimately, the sweet photo became an important moment in history for Swifties, as the singer decided to make her relationship Instagram official.

For his appearance on The Graham Norton Show, William was accompanied by Earthshot ambassadors Robert Irwin, Cate Blanchett, and Hannah Waddingham.

As well as discussing Earthshot, the royal revealed the career he wanted to pursue when he was a child.

"I did want to be a policeman when I was younger, I thought I could make a good one," Prince William said, per the Telegraph. "And then I went through a phase of wanting to be a DJ—I wasn't very good."

Hopefully Kelce won't be too upset regarding Prince William's revelation about their famous backstage selfie. Either way, it's safe to say that the picture will go down in history.

Prince William isn’t shy about his favorite reality TV show, but it turns out Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis also can’t get enough of The Celebrity Traitors. The Prince of Wales made a surprise appearance on The Graham Norton Show on Friday, October 23, and as well as promoting the upcoming Earthshot Prize ceremony, he chatted about his family’s latest obsession.

“I love it, the family love it,” William said of The Celebrity Traitors, adding, “Charlotte and Louis are obsessed with it. It’s really good telly.” Prince George is currently away at boarding school, but he was reunited with his family for Eton College's half-term break starting Friday—just in time to watch some Traitors with his family.

The Prince of Wales recently teamed up with actor Ross Kemp, who stars on the latest series of the reality show, for a National Emergencies Trust event, and he told Norton a hilarious tidbit about their meeting.

On The Celebrity Traitors, Kemp admitted he was “paranoid” and got nervous when he was touched on the arm, and William said he “couldn’t help but try—in the most appropriate way— to touch him to see what reaction I got from him.”

“Turns out he was really jumpy!” the Prince of Wales told Norton.

During his event with Kemp, William also attempted to get spoilers for the reality show. “I’ll get Ross to tell me the answer about what happens. Spoiler alert!” Prince William exclaimed, per the Sun, but Kemp refused to reveal the outcome of the season. “I am a faithful,” was all he’d say.

During his interview with Norton, William—who was joined by Earthshot Prize ambassadors Robert Irwin, Cate Blanchett and Hannah Waddingham—said that when he's not watching The Celebrity Traitors, he loves "getting immersed in deep-thinking films."

“I like action films too, but I like something a bit different," he said. "I’m a big fan of everything Christopher Nolan does. His films are are fantastic—The Dark Knight series is psychologically dark and deep and I absolutely love that."

Princess Kate visited one of the first charities she supported after marrying Prince William in 2011, returning to East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) and its Treehouse hospice on Thursday, October 22. The organization supports young people facing life-limiting conditions and their families, and while meeting with volunteers as the organization’s café and shop, the Princess of Wales gave an update on her own children.

“My kids are looking forward to it, and my parents as well,” Kate told a volunteer in an Instagram Reel shared by Hello! magazine, speaking about the upcoming half-term school break in the U.K. “Half-term is a good time to catch up again on family life.”

It's no wonder the Wales family (and Kate's parents, Carole and Michael Middleton) are excited about the school vacation. Prince George headed off to boarding school at Eton College in September, and while Eton had a short weekend break earlier in October, this will be the longest time the 13-year-old has been home in nearly two months.

"She said she's looking forward to George coming home—she's missed him,” Denise Ashton, who met the princess, told journalists, per Hello! “They may be going somewhere [during the break]," Ashton added.

When a boy told the Princess of Wales that Thursday was his last day of school before half-term, Kate shared her own excitement about the time off. "My children break up tomorrow and I can't wait to have them all home," she shared.

Although Eton College is a short drive from Prince William and Princess Kate's Windsor home, Forest Lodge, George is living in a completely different world as a full-time boarder. Meanwhile, Princess Charlotte, 11, and Prince Louis, 8, still attend Lambrook School as day students.

During her visit to The Treehouse, Princess Kate donned a hard hat and high-visibility vest to view construction on the hospice's expansion, which will allow the facility to provide even more treatments and services to families. A new kitchen and dining area, expanded treatment rooms, a hydrotherapy pool and a dedicated area for teenagers will be complete in 2028.

The princess also took part in sensory and music therapy sessions with children and their families before heading to EACH's dedicated café and shop, which raises money for the network of three children's hospices.

Princess Anne’s son-in-law, Mike Tindall, is celebrating his 48th birthday on October 19, and Zara Tindall’s husband might not have a royal title, but he’s a firm favorite amongst the Wales family. Mike, who formerly played rugby for England’s national team, shares the same competitive spirit as Prince William and Princess Kate, but one thing he knows all too well is that winning doesn’t teach you as much as losing—and he’s reportedly passed that knowledge on to Prince George.

Mike married the Princess Royal’s daughter, Zara Phillips, in 2011, and over the years, he’s become close with Zara’s cousin, Prince William. In 2025, a source claimed that the Prince of Wales views Mike as a brother figure “and someone he can always rely on,” per Woman's Day (via the Express).

Zara and Mike’s three children are also close with the Waleses, and Princess Charlotte is said to consider Mia Tindall her royal BFF. Given their warm relationship, it’s no wonder that Mike is said to be a source of inspiration for 13-year-old Prince George, who is Zara's godson.

This summer, royal biographer Robert Jobson told the Daily Mail that Mike speaks with the future King about “the one subject nobody else raises.”

As a former pro rugby player, Mike knows a thing or two about winning and losing, and Jobson claimed that George has benefited from speaking with his godmother’s husband on the topic.

“He talks to him about losing, the one subject nobody else raises, because everybody else is invested in the boy winning,” Jobson said. “Mike has lost in front of eighty thousand people. He can be funny about it the next morning.”

Jobson added that Mike serves as an uncle figure in George’s life. “You see it in the photographs. An arm round George's shoulders, leaning in, saying something. No airs and graces about the man, and the child worked that out years ago.”

Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis might be members of the Royal Family, but their mother still has to nag them to remember one important task. Princess Kate was visiting with senior citizens in Pulborough, England, and when she boarded the West Sussex Minibus, she joked about forgetting her purse and telling her kids to buckle up.

After guiding 94-year-old Stella Drewett from her house to the bus, the Princess of Wales shared, "everyone always runs after me [shouting] ‘you forgot your handbag!'"

“I have to remind my children to put their seatbelts on too,” she added.

Prince William and Princess Kate drive their kids to school themselves each day (minus Prince George, who is now away at boarding school), so they’ve had plenty of experience with seatbelt reminders. Earlier this year, William spoke about their occasionally chaotic morning routine when he spoke to Britain’s Heart Radio.

“It depends if there’s a guitar lesson going on in the morning, a music lesson,” he shared. “You’ve got to get the guitar in the car? No, we’re not taking the guitar; we need the bag for school. Are we boarding? No, we're not. Are we seeing friends? No, we’re not. So there’s all that going on in the morning."

“There’s a lot of jam sandwiches taken in the car usually," Prince William admitted. "Louis will leave jam fingerprints throughout the car, which is really helpful."

During Kate's visit to Pulborough on Wednesday, she also visited a weekly lunch club for seniors, and she opened up about how she enjoys washing dishes, just like Queen Elizabeth used to do.

“I love washing up. I really do,” she told the group. When someone asked if the Prince of Wales also got involved with washing dishes, she shared that “he does the drying. We are a good double act,” adding that they also “get the children involved.”

Queen Elizabeth II saw tremendous amounts of change throughout her life: politics, culture, fashion, architecture, but the most noticeable changes must have come from family life. In her early life, she spent most of her time with her nanny in a secluded nursery, far from the daily lives of her parents, the then-Duke and Duchess of York and later King and Queen of England. Like a scene from Downton Abbey, young Elizabeth would most likely make an appearance at afternoon tea time and occasional family lunches in the garden, but traditionally children were neither seen nor heard by their parents throughout the day.

Based on her own experiences in childhood and in early motherhood, Queen Elizabeth’s first meeting with young Prince George came as a huge shock. Ingrid Seward wrote in her new biography, Catherine & Diana, that Prince George cried the entire time. "When the Queen came to inspect her great-grandchild for the first time he managed to scream throughout her visit, which was not something the monarch was used to or enjoyed," Seward wrote.

Prince William and Princess Kate have suggested in the past that Prince George was a very colicky baby, crying a lot and sleeping infrequently. Great Granny Queen Elizabeth II was probably hoping for a sweet baby snuggle and instead got a huge dose of reality: some babies cry, a lot. This memorable family moment reminded the late Queen that “the world had changed and childcare had changed with it” in the decades since she became a mother.

Seward wrote that Queen Elizabeth II "was not used to babies being fed on demand" and "couldn't understand the infant George's displeasure at having to wait.” The Princess of Wales reportedly nursed infant Prince George, and one can imagine that she might not want to feed the little prince while the Queen of England came to visit—even if she is the baby’s ‘gan gan.’ The combination of royal etiquette, generational differences, and an unhappy newborn made for an unpleasant first visit.

Conspiracy theories are nothing new in the royal world—especially when it comes to Prince William and Princess Kate—but one particularly strange rumor swirled around the internet recently, and it involved a secret 16-year-old princess.

Royal journalist Lydia Alty shared a series of AI-generated pictures on Instagram this summer in an effort to point out the dangerous ways people can get fooled by fake photos. In one image, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis stand next to a girl who looks almost identical to a teenage Brooke Shields. “Arielly 16 years, George 13 years, Charlotte 11 years, Louis 8 years,” the graphic reads.

Obviously, there’s no Princess Arielly, as Alty and numerous commenters pointed out ("Who the frig is Arielly????" read one reply). But as AI expert Amil Khan told the Times last week, the Royal Family has been the target of some highly coordinated fake news attacks in the past year—and they seem to be getting worse.

“This is something we’ve been looking at for a while,” Khan, who serves as chief executive of AI company Valent, told the publication. The expert works with companies to uncover AI-generated manipulation and said he’s been monitoring “15 coordinated influence networks in the U.K.” that have been targeting the Royal Family.

The posts grew more frequent “just before The King’s state visit to America earlier this year,” Khan said, noting that “there was a growing campaign attacking him" that includes "Maga-style accounts"

Adding to the narrative are numerous posts that The King, who is the supreme governor of the Church of England, had “betrayed Britain and Christianity” and would be converting to Islam. Some of the messages were tracked to bot farms in southeast Asia, but Khan said attacks have also come from Russia, China and "the far right."

Not every post is sensational, which makes it more complicated for people who might not be savvy enough to recognize a fake image. Take the photos of Prince William and Princess Kate posing with their kids on a supposed vacation, or a doctored image of William congratulating Kate after completing the National Three Peaks Challenge.

At the end of the day, Ciaran Martin, a former head of Britain’s National Cyber Security Centre, told the Times that the public needs to use “critical thinking” when looking at royal news online.

“Efforts are under way to try to make it easier to spot fake information,” Martin said. “But as and until they work at scale, we’re going to have to rely on people using their critical thinking and skepticism when it comes to online information.”

Now that Prince George has officially started attending Eton College, royal fans are wondering where his siblings, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, will go to school. And according to one royal expert, Princess Kate and Prince William have used a fairly foolproof method to decide where each of their kids will be educated.

During an appearance on Hello! magazine's "A Right Royal Podcast," the publication's royal editor, Emily Nash, weighed in on the Prince and Princess of Wales's schooling decisions.

"I think what William and Catherine have done is they've chosen the school that is right for [Prince George], and they'll choose the school that's right for each individual child," Nash shared. "This is not like a one size fits all, is it?"

Nash continued, "They know better than anyone else what [Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis's] personalities are like, what their interests are like, which sports are best provided for at which school. And we know they've done so much research."

As for Kate and William's decision to send Prince George to Eton College—his father's alma mater—Nash explained, "It really does show that George is a smart kid because I don't think you get into Eton anymore just off the back of who your parents are."

The royal expert said, "I genuinely don't think that in this day and age, they could put someone into Eton and get them through in the way that may have happened in previous generations."

Prince George's mom, Princess Kate, has always prioritized education in her work and charitable endeavors, so she was especially well-placed to weigh in on the royal children's futures.

"Catherine is on it in terms of [George's] education," Nash noted. "I don't think they would put him in a place where he would feel he wasn't able to keep up."

Currently, where Louis and Charlotte will attend high school remains unclear.

Now that Prince George has started his first year at Eton College, life for Prince William and Princess Kate looks a bit different. George, 13, is boarding full-time at Eton, leaving an empty seat at the table in his Forest Lodge home. While Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are still attending nearby Lambrook School in Berkshire, George now has a taste of independence, just like his father had at Eton—and the future King just might take part in one tradition Prince William had with his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth.

The late Queen would often invite William to Windsor Castle when he was a student at Eton College, since the boarding school is located just a stone’s throw away from Windsor. The Prince of Wales has shared fond memories of those times with his grandmother, and King Charles’s former butler, Grant Harrold, says that Prince George could now step into the same routine.

Speaking to Select Car Leasing, Harrold says that The King is a “caring” grandfather and will want to give George the best possible preparation for when he steps into his royal future.

“I imagine the King will possibly try to recreate the afternoon tea routine that his mother and son shared with his grandson,” Harrold shares. “Whenever he is in Windsor, I imagine he will make an effort to see George. He will want to know how he’s getting on at school, and also to start preparing him for the future.”

Harrold adds that The King, who was sent off to boarding school in Scotland as a child, is in a unique position to give advice to Prince George.

“He understands better than anyone the challenges George will face as the future King going through the difficult teenage years,” Harrold says. “He’s a very caring man and he loves his family dearly, so he will want to help his grandson in any way he can—even if that’s just being an understanding ear.”

Another benefit of going to Eton is the close proximity to the Wales family's home, Forest Lodge, which is just about 15 minutes away from the historic boarding school.

“William and Kate are very family-orientated and they would want their children to be close to them,” Harrold notes. “I don’t think they would have wanted George to go to a boarding school at the other end of the country, which is of course what Prince Philip did with King Charles.”

It's been a week of milestones for Prince William, who dropped Prince George off at Eton College for his first day of boarding school on September 8 before stepping into a more somber role. The Prince of Wales represented his father at another royal's funeral for the first time on September 9, flying to Norway to attend the services for King Harald V.

Fresh off saying goodbye to his eldest child at Eton, William stepped in for The King—who traditionally does not attend funerals of other royals or world leaders—alongside numerous royal families from around the world. He was joined by Princess Anne, who attended in a personal capacity as godmother of Norway's new monarch, King Haakon.

In 2025, the Prince of Wales attended Pope Francis's funeral on behalf of King Charles, and although he filled in for Queen Elizabeth by flying to the United Arab Emirates in 2022 to pay his respects after the death of Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, this is the first time Prince William has attended a royal funeral as a representative of The King.

King Harald died at the age of 89 on August 28, leaving his son Haakon to take the throne alongside his ailing wife, Queen Mette-Marit.

The Norwegian queen, who suffers from pulmonary fibrosis and recently went through a lung transplant, recently missed her husband's swearing-in ceremony before parliament, but was able to attend Wednesday's funeral.

Along with Prince William and Princess Anne, other royal representatives at the funeral included everyone from Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands to Japan's Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko. King Carl Gustaf of Sweden and King Frederik of Denmark took a prominent role in the ceremony, saluting King Harald's coffin from behind King Haakon during the funeral.

September 8 marked Prince George's first day at Eton College, but it was also a major milestone for Prince William and Princess Kate, who are sending their first child off to boarding school. What do you wear to mark such a historic day for your eldest son (and future King)? For the Princess of Wales, it's a tried-and-true dress and suede pumps with chunky gold jewelry—a choice that Nilesh Rakholia, founder of Abelini, says falls in line with Princess Diana's "bolder" jewelry style.

Princess Kate re-wore a long-sleeved green dress by Emilia Wickstead for Prince George's first day at Eton, accenting her outfit with brown Gianvito Rossi heels and dark pantyhose. When it comes to jewelry, the Princess of Wales reached for some familiar favorites.

She paired her often-worn white, yellow and rose gold Cartier Trinity earrings with a more affordable option in the form of Laura Lombardi's $192 gold-plated Portrait necklace.

The Princess of Wales first wore the necklace with a Chanel blazer at a Boston Celtics game in 2022, and later paired it with trouser suits for a 2023 visit to a textile mill and a 2025 museum trip. "What's interesting is that it's a proper gold chain link, not a fine delicate piece," the jewelry pro says of Kate's Laura Lombardi piece.

"Catherine tends to be associated with quite refined, understated jewelry, so a chunkier gold chain like this stands out a little against that," he says. "It's a bolder shape than we usually see her reach for in her jewelry sometimes."

Princess Diana went sans necklace when she accompanied Prince William to his first day at Eton College, but did wear a thick pair of gold knot earrings. Rakholia notes that Kate's choices are in a "similar spirit" to that of her late mother-in-law's.

"Diana was known for exactly this kind of jewelry," he says. "Bold gold chains, statement link necklaces, pieces with real presence rather than anything too dainty."

The late royal wore a bright blue blazer over a black shift dress for William's first day at Eton, and although Princess Kate went in a different direction for her outfit, Rakholia says that Kate's jewelry felt "fitting for the day."

"William walking his own son into Eton, more than thirty years after Diana walked him through the same gates. A chunkier gold piece with a bit of Diana's boldness in it feels like a nice, understated way to mark that," he shares.

Rakholia adds, "I wouldn't say it's a deliberate reference, but the overlap is there."

Prince George started his first day at boarding school on Tuesday, September 8, with parents Prince William and Princess Kate joining him for his big day at Eton College. Despite the pouring rain, all three royals wore brown suede shoes (perhaps with a bit of weatherproofing magic), but it wasn't their footwear that turned out to be a struggle in the weather.

Prince William was photographed fighting with his umbrella in the downpour, with his black brolly blowing inside out as the Wales family walked through one of Eton's stone archways. Prince George, 13, couldn't help but laugh as he watched his dad attempt to fix the umbrella before eventually closing it and giving up.

The Prince of Wales opted to get wet rather than battle with his brolly, but luckily, Princess Kate's umbrella stayed intact as the family greeted Eton College's headmaster and provost.

New Etonian Prince George seemed unbothered by the pouring rain, walking in between his parents sans umbrella and grinning widely during the photo call.

George changed out of his navy suit and suede shoes and into the iconic Eton College uniform, posing for three new portraits with one of his family's trusted photographers, Matt Porteous.

Although he ducked into an archway for the historic pictures, the future King didn't quite escape the rain—a splash of water can be seen on the sleeve of his traditional jacket in the snaps.

It was a milestone day for Prince George as he arrived at Eton College for his first day of secondary school on September 8, and the Wales family showed a united front with one fashion detail.

Prince William and Princess Kate have had a penchant for coordinating with their kids over the years, and the future King's first day at the historic boarding school was no different.

George and his father matched in navy suits and slightly different blue ties, while Princess Kate went with a deep green Emilia Wickstead dress she's worn previously. But despite the heavy rain on Tuesday, Prince William, Princess Kate and Prince George all chose a surprising footwear option: brown suede shoes.

The Princess of Wales has been a longtime fan of Gianvito Rossi's towering pumps, owning them in a rainbow of colors, and she went for a chocolate suede pair for George's big day at Eton.

Meanwhile, George chose a pair of brown suede loafers, while the Prince of Wales wore classic lace-up oxfords in the same hue.

Princess Kate finished off her first day outfit with an old favorite chunky gold necklace by Laura Lombardi and her Cartier Trinity earrings.

After meeting with the college's headmaster, Simon Henderson, and provost Nicholas Coleridge, Prince George made a quick change as he stepped into his future as an official Etonian.

Kensington Palace released three portraits of the teenager in his new school uniform, with George swapping his suede shoes for shiny black oxfords as he posed outside the 586-year-old boarding school.

As for the Wales family's rainy day moment, it seems they took advantage of one of my favorite shoe tricks: a handy waterproofing spray.

Prince William and Princess Kate joined Prince George for his first day at Eton College on Tuesday, September 8, and the 13-year-old future King looked all grown up in three new portraits featuring the same school uniform worn by his dad and uncle Prince Harry. But his first day at Eton was different than Prince William’s in one key way.

The Prince and Princess of Wales braved the pouring rain (in suede shoes, nonetheless) as they escorted George to his first day of boarding school, with the trio meeting Eton College’s headmaster and provost outside the historic school. Princess Kate is 5’9, and George was almost the same height as his mother, who wore heels for the milestone event.

Although he dressed in a suit and tie just like dad Prince William did on September 6, 1995, George’s first day at Eton had one missing element.

When Prince William started the historic boarding school, he was joined by King Charles (then the Prince of Wales) and Princess Diana, who were separated at the time, and his younger brother, Prince Harry. George’s siblings Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis don’t start their new term at Lambrook School until Wednesday, but they stayed home for their brother’s big day.

After George met the school's administration, Kensington Palace then released three photos of the future King in his new Eton uniform, with the teenager wearing the same pinstriped trousers, vest, long jacket and starched white shirt that students have worn for decades.

Unlike at Lambrook School, where Prince George was a day student, the young royal will live at Eton College. But with the school located a stone's throw from Windsor Castle, he'll never be far from family, just like Prince William, who often visited Queen Elizabeth for tea when he was a student there.

For the most part, Princess Kate and Prince William have stayed out of the spotlight throughout the summer months. During their annual trip to Balmoral with the Royal Family in August, Kate and William were spotted attending church with their three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. Now, a royal author has weighed in on the Prince and Princess of Wales's absence from public life over the summer.

In an interview with Hello! magazine, royal expert and biographer Robert Jobson said, "A lot of people might think that it's lazy or whatever [taking the school vacation off from royal duties], but I don't think it is."

Jobson continued, "They've got a long time in the top job, and after this it becomes even more relentless so I think they’re trying to manage their time as best they can whilst they've got an element of freedom."

Jobson further shared, "They've got their image right, they've got their engagement at the level they want, they're spending enough time with their kids. I think they've managed it quite well."

He also noted, "I think they're certainly stronger as a couple, but also as a family unit and everything. You only have to look at them in public, and they are very much a together couple, and they're very much doing their job. They really haven't really put a foot wrong."

Basically, although some onlookers might criticize the Royal Family's decision to retreat from the spotlight in the summer months, everyone deserves quality time away from work now and again.

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Although Dolly Parton met Queen Elizabeth in 1977, she never got the chance to spend time with Queen Camilla or Princess Kate. In 2023, the country star—who died at the age of 80 on August 25—turned down an invitation to have tea with the Princess of Wales because of her busy schedule, but she later expressed her wish for the Wales family to visit her in Tennessee.

“I felt so bad, I couldn't even go because they had all this stuff set up," the "I Will Always Love You" singer told the BBC (via Newsweek) of her packed U.K. promotional tour. She explained Kate “wasn’t going to promote my rock album, so I had to say no.”

Parton, who died after a brief battle with cancer, vowed “one of these days” she was going to take the Princess of Wales up on her offer, adding, “that would be great.” Sadly, their meeting never happened, but the star also shared that she’d love for Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis to experience her Dollywood theme park.

“Oh, I would absolutely love for them to come to Dollywood, that would be fantastic!” she told Closer (via GB News). “The kids could go on all the rides and we would treat them like royalty.”

The “Jolene” singer continued that she’d show the Wales family some southern hospitality. “I’d give Kate my mashed potatoes—I wouldn’t put on any airs for them,” she said. “I would just let them enjoy what we enjoy, and I’m sure that’s the way they would want it.”

“I would love to have those kids at Dollywood,” Parton added.

Floral tributes to the late singer were left outside the theme park's sign after her death, and the Dollywood website stated, “In her spirit, Dollywood will be open Wednesday, August 26 as Dolly wanted, always reminding everyone with her signature sparkle -- “the show must go on.””

Princess Kate is currently staying in Balmoral with husband Prince William and their children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. The Royal Family spends time on the Balmoral estate every summer, with King Charles, Queen Camilla, and a plethora of relatives currently vacationing in Scotland.

On August 23, Princess Kate was photographed arriving at Crathie Kirk Church in Aberdeenshire with her family. For the church visit, the Princess of Wales opted for a vintage-inspired outfit, which included a classic pillbox hat with an accent bow on the front, and a white, high-neck, pie-crust collar blouse by Holland Cooper featuring subtle ruffles.

She completed her throwback look with a brown tweed blazer and a pair of past-season Ralph Lauren chandelier earrings. Notably, her hair was worn with very subtle waves and striking blonde highlights.

Prince George and Prince Louis were photographed arriving at Crathie Kirk Church alongside their parents. Although pictures of Princess Charlotte weren't available, she was reportedly also in attendance. Princess Anne, her husband Sir Timothy Laurence, Prince Edward, and Lady Louise were also seen traveling to the service.

The Royal Family's church visit follows news that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are set to move back to the U.K. imminently.

As Princess Kate is on vacation in Scotland, she is skipping a birthday party thrown by sister Pippa Middleton this weekend. According to Hello! magazine, Pippa is reportedly hosting a birthday celebration for her husband, James Matthews, at their home, Bucklebury Farm in Berkshire. It seems that, as the Princess of Wales is currently staying at the Balmoral estate, she'll be unable to attend her sister's event.

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The next three weeks will be bittersweet for Prince William and Princess Kate as they soak up the remaining days of summer with Prince George, who will head to boarding school for the first time in September. The 13-year-old heir to the throne is following in his father’s footsteps by attending Eton College, and according to psychologist and school admissions strategist Sarah Suria, the challenge for George will be finding his own path.

“I think what makes this such an interesting moment is that George is entering an age when children begin asking who they are outside of their parents, while becoming increasingly aware of what they have inherited from their family,” Suria tells Marie Claire.

For the past two years, royal circles have buzzed about whether the Prince and Princess of Wales would choose a new educational path for their son, perhaps sending him to Kate's alma mater, Marlborough College. The choice for George to attend the same school as his father presents both benefits and challenges, Suria says.

“Going to Eton, as William did, could offer familiarity and continuity, but the real opportunity is for George to walk into a place associated with his father and still find a way to make the experience his own,” she shares.

Unlike Prince Harry, who also attended Eton College, Prince George is going into secondary school with his path entirely set out in front of him at the age of 13. George also has the challenge of knowing that his father will likely become King at a much younger age than his grandfather King Charles did.

“Adolescence is really about beginning to separate what you’ve inherited from who you are becoming,” Suria notes. “For George, that’s happening within an extraordinary legacy, where parts of his future have been mapped out long before he could have a say in them.”

The Waleses are a famously close family, with Prince William and Princess Kate making it clear that their three children will always come first. Although living away from home at age 13 would challenge any child, Suria says that for George, leaving his family “can offer a different kind of growth.”

“A close-knit home may give a child a secure base; being away asks them to build a larger toolbox for navigating friendships, homesickness, academic demands and everyday setbacks,” she shares.

Prince George already boarded occasionally at Lambrook School, where he was a day student, preparing him for the realities of living away from home full-time. But as journalist Jack Malvern recently told Hello! magazine's "A Right Royal Podcast," even though the Wales family lives geographically close to Eton, “emotionally, there's going to be a cut, because Eton sucks you in.”

However, Suria says that living away will serve George well as he continues in both his academic and royal careers.

“Independence is rarely built in one grand moment,” she shares. “It develops through small experiences of realizing, ‘I can handle this myself.’ For George, learning to stand on his own while maintaining a strong connection to home and family could be particularly meaningful as he grows into a life that will ask him to carry both his family legacy and a strong sense of who he is.”

Like any kids, the Wales children have been compared to a number of family members over the years. Prince Louis bears a strong resemblance to his paternal grandfather, Michael Middleton, while Princess Charlotte looks a lot like dad Prince William, as well as the late Queen and Princess Diana. But the Spencer genes are coming out strong in Prince George these days, as displayed in one video from the Wales family's trip to the Commonwealth Games on August 1.

In the clip, shared by a William and Kate fan account on Instagram, George is seen speaking with Commonwealth Games athletes alongside his family. At one point, the 13-year-old looks just like Princess Diana as he glances down before looking shyly to the side at Princess Kate and giggling.

"He definitely looks a lot like his grandma Diana here so he looks like his dad too.. that shy look! So Diana 🥹🥹" content creator Larissa captioned the post.

Royal fans couldn't help but agree, like one who wrote, "It was very brief, but the lip gesture had his Granny Diana's look!" Another commented, "He is Diana wow the resemblance uncanny 🥰👏."

"I 💯 saw Dianna 🫶🫶🫶🧡" a third Instagram user wrote.

Prince George isn't the only member of the family to bear a strong resemblance to the People's Princess. Fans have also pointed out that Princess Charlotte has inherited Diana's iconic "Spencer Stare."

Along with giving Diana energy with his mannerisms, George channeled his late grandmother a bit more literally with his outfit. Both Prince George and Prince Louis wore button up Ralph Lauren oxford shirts to the Commonwealth Games, a look Diana wore in the '90s.

As modern royal parents, Prince William and Princess Kate frequently talk about the active role they play in their kids’ lives, preferring to schedule royal events around school schedules and bringing their kids on trips abroad whenever possible. Although they have a longtime nanny, the Prince and Princess of Wales are much more involved in Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis’s day-to-day lives than royals of the past—but there are two surprising members of William's family who shared a similar philosophy to his.

Although Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip were loving parents, they put duty first and were frequently absent from their children’s lives while traveling on royal tours around the world. It seems the Queen Mother and King George VI took a different approach with Elizabeth and Margaret when they were young—and it’s one that is surprisingly similar to the Prince and Princess of Wales.

In Gyles Brandreth’s book Elizabeth: An Intimate Portrait, the author and friend of the Royal Family spoke with people who knew the late Queen the best. Sonia Berry, who was friends with the late Queen from the age of five, told Brandreth that she used to play together with her London neighbor Princess Elizabeth back when the Queen Mother and King George VI were known as the Duke and Duchess of York. She described the Yorks as “noticeably hands-on” given “the standards of their time and class,” per Brandreth.

“The Duchess, having had a very happy childhood herself, was all the more determined that, because the children were royal, they should have an ordinary childhood,” Berry told the author.

She described the future King George VI, who suffered from a severe stutter, as a fun, active father who wasn’t afraid to run around with Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret. “The Duke never seemed shy, he didn’t stutter and he played games, like Sardines,” Berry said.

It might be difficult to picture the late King playing garden games, and Berry said that her “starchy nanny” didn’t find his behavior appropriate at the time, adding, “she found it very undignified having to hide in a bush with him.”

Flashing forward to today, Prince William and Princess Kate also put an emphasis on family fun. The Princess of Wales recently shared that she loves playing rugby at home with her kids, and although life looks a lot different than it did for the Queen Mother, both William and Kate are intentional about giving their children everyday experiences at their Windsor home, just like his great-grandmother did.

Whether it’s sharing some video game time with Prince George, playing tennis with Princess Charlotte or watching soccer with Prince Louis, William and Kate have been vocal that their first priority is their children.

If you've ever visited Scotland in the middle of summer, you know that layering is key. Even in August, a sweater or jacket is a must, and the 2026 Commonwealth Games mascot teased Princess Charlotte for leaving her outerwear at home.

The 11-year-old princess attended the sporting event in Glasgow with Prince William, Princess Kate, Prince George and Prince Louis on Saturday, August 1, wearing an adorable white polka-dot dress. The short-sleeved, ruffled style by Guess featured navy spots and matching navy trim along the waist, sleeves and skirt, and Charlotte appeared visibly cold in videos shared from the games.

With a high of 61 degrees on Saturday and some gusts of wind, it's no wonder Princess Charlotte was chilly, and the 2026 Commonwealth Games mascot, Finnie the Unicorn, couldn't help but point out her shivers.

In a video shared by Hello! magazine, the Wales family looked notably windswept as they met representatives from the Commonwealth Games, including Finnie, and the mascot mimicked Princess Charlotte by wrapping its arms around itself and pretended to shiver. The princess took the gentle teasing in stride, giving the unicorn a high-five as Finnie greeted the royals.

This is the second polka-dot dress by Guess that Princess Charlotte has worn, with the 11-year-old previously sporting a navy spotted design to Wimbledon 2024, the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 Final and a church visit at Balmoral.

"So nice to see her out of baby dresses. She looks so pretty," one fan commented on Royal Fashion Police's post on Instagram. Another social media user praised the affordable and "age appropriate" look, writing, in part, "Beautiful Charlotte 😍. They can afford every luxurious brands, but their parents chose lessons over brands."

The rest of the Wales family opted for long sleeves at the Commonwealth Games, with Prince William and Princess Kate both wearing blazers while Prince George and Prince Louis wore button-up shirts with trousers.

The Princess of Wales added a pleated white maxi skirt and a nautical striped top to her green Ralph Lauren blazer, with her La Ligne sweater vest coordinating perfectly with Charlotte's dotted dress.

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Prince William and Princess Kate brought all three of their children to the Commonwealth Games for the first time on Saturday, August 1, and along with commenting on Prince Louis’s cute reactions, fans couldn’t help but notice that chatty Kate got left behind by her family at one point.

In a video shared by Hello! magazine, the Prince of Wales was pictured getting into a waiting car with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis after their day out in Glasgow, Scotland. But the Princess of Wales was nowhere to be found until the camera panned over to her talking away to Olympic legend Sir Chris Hoy by the side of the road.

The Princess of Wales has admitted that she often gets caught up talking to people for too long during royal events, but this time, there was a very meaningful reason she was making her family wait. Hoy announced in 2024 that he was diagnosed with terminal stage four prostate cancer, and fans pointed out that the princess, who is now in remission from cancer herself, was likely talking about their shared struggles.

“Once you’ve been touched by cancer you will never rush a conversation with someone who is going through it,” one fan commented on the video, while another added, “That’s good as thats one thing he does not have is time and that’s why she understands.”

Princess Kate has talked about her love of a long conversation in the past, sharing in the 2016 documentary Our Queen at Ninety that members of the Royal Family poke fun at her for her chatty ways.

“There’s a real art to walkabouts, everybody teases me in the family that I spend far too long chatting,” she said. “I still have to learn a little bit more, and to pick up a few more tips, I suppose.”

In this instance, however, it’s safe to say that the Prince of Wales completely understands.

Prince George accompanied his siblings, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte, and their parents, Princess Kate and Prince William, to the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland this weekend. While Prince William snapped into "dad mode" to seemingly reassure Louis, another moment involved him revealing that they "embarrass [Prince George] enough."

During an interview with TV presenter Gethin Jones, Princess Kate revealed that an Olympic cyclist had "attempted to persuade" her and Prince William to take part in "track cycling," the Express reported. Princess Kate also shared that she responded by saying, "Be careful what you wish for, as they want to put us on a tandem bike in the velodrome."

Jones took the opportunity to ask George for his opinion, saying, "Would you like to see mom and dad on a tandem in the velodrome later?" Prince George reportedly provided a very clipped response by simply saying, "No."

Prince William appeared to leap into damage control to smooth over the potentially awkward moment by telling Prince George, "We embarrass you enough as it is."

Prince George recently turned 13, meaning that he's finally a teenager and set to attend boarding school at Eton College this fall.

Royal editor Emily Ferguson recently suggested in the Express, "The young prince will undoubtedly be asking the question all parents dread: can I have a phone?"

"So far, modern parents William and Catherine have stood firm and prohibited their children from having phones," the royal expert shared.

Ferguson continued, "But with George heading to a new school and spending time away from the family, his parents are expected to relent."

For now, at least, Prince William is making it clear that his son endures enough embarrassment without having to watch his parents riding a tandem bike.

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When Prince William becomes King, his eldest son, Prince George, will become the heir apparent. And when George finally accedes the throne, his siblings will take on new roles within the Royal Family. But according to one royal author, it's imperative that Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are allowed to carve out their own roles.

Royal author Simon Vigar, who recently released new book Four Wives of Windsor: Rivalries, Influence, and the Real Power Behind the Crown, spoke to Hello! magazine's "A Right Royal Podcast" about Charlotte and Louis's futures.

"[T]here has to be a better way of doing this," Vigar shared. "There must be a way that Charlotte and Louis can support their brother in the decades to come and still have their own lives."

Vigar continued, "I don't know this for sure that Catherine and William are talking about it, but William keeps dropping these hints about change, doesn't he?"

In another interview, Vigar suggested that Prince William would likely implement new policies regarding press access to the Royal Family when he's King.

"In terms of when George, Charlotte, and Louis complete university, once they're in their twenties, I think it'll be a similar deal, and privacy law is changing all the time," the author explained to GB News. "There will be similar conversations."

Vigar continued, "I would have thought occasional public bust-ups as well about what can be printed about the people that we know are [dating] the young royals...it'll definitely develop."

Basically, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis's futures aren't necessarily mapped out. And once Prince William is King, it's likely that he'll make some significant changes about how the Royal Family operates.

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Prince William is attending the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland this weekend, alongside wife Princess Kate and their children—Prince George, Prince Louis, and Princess Charlotte. The royals recently attended Wimbledon 2026 together, and it's clear that the Prince of Wales is always on high-alert when it comes to protecting his children.

In one particularly sweet moment, Prince William was seen with his arm around Prince Louis's back as the family exited The Hydro in Glasgow. Louis, Charlotte, and George were all greeted by a large group of people outside of the venue. While it's unclear whether Prince Louis was overwhelmed by the scale of the sporting event, the little royal has appeared to be more subdued during his recent appearances. Basically, his trademark cheeky demeanor appears to have been on vacation.

By placing his arm around his youngest son, Prince William showed his protective "dad mode" nature, and made it clear that he was ensuring his children were safe at the large event.

For the sporting event, Princess Kate paired a classic French girl staple—a Breton striped top—with a new Ralph Lauren Collection blazer. For accessorizes, the Princess of Wales opted for her Anya Hindmarch Neeson Small Square Tote in Chalk and a pair of $2,025 Annoushka Favorites Pearl Earrings.

Royal fans will be delighted to see Princess Kate and Prince William attending an event with their three children. The fact that Prince William displayed his quick-thinking "dad mode" is simply a bonus.

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Within the royal family, Princess Diana’s legacy continues to resonate: its youngest generation is following a path she helped forge decades ago. Prince George, her eldest grandson, is just a month away from his debut at Eton College, where his father Prince William studied many years ago. However, the brewing royal tradition originally began in the Spencer family.

In Simon Vigar’s new book The Four Wives of Windsor, the author describes Diana as “the biggest changemaker” among the women of the Royal Family. “Then there was the choice of school for her sons. Going to Eton College was very much a Diana decision,” Vigar wrote. “Her brother and father went there, and of course, it was much closer to home than Gordonstoun, where Charles wasn’t happy anyway.”

The late princess’ choice of schooling for her children left a lasting impression, so much so that Prince William and Princess Kate have followed suit. The author wrote, “William had had a good time there. It ticked so many boxes for William and Catherine. In the age of the smartphone, it is probably better to be at an all-boys school rather than a co-ed one.”

In July, after the Prince and Princess of Wales had explored boarding school options for their eldest, Kensington Palace confirmed the news. The decision had reportedly come down to two schools: both William and Kate’s alma maters. If Prince George had followed in his mother’s footsteps, he would have attended the coed Marlborough College.

Prince George turned 13 on July 22, 2026, and is set to attend Eton College this fall. According to one royal expert, the young royal probably requested one particular gift from his parents upon becoming a teenager.

Writing in the Express, royal editor Emily Ferguson explained, "The young prince will undoubtedly be asking the question all parents dread: can I have a phone?"

As George will be attending boarding school, requesting a cell phone doesn't seem completely unexpected. However, according to Ferguson, William and Kate might not be ready to give their eldest son a cell phone.

"So far, modern parents William and Catherine have stood firm and prohibited their children from having phones," the royal expert shared. "But with George heading to a new school and spending time away from the family, his parents are expected to relent."

If William and Kate do agree to give George a cell phone, there will be some significant limitations, Ferguson explained.

"[T]his will likely be an old-school 'brick' with no access to social media, as his high public profile and propensity to become the subject of social media fodder, is something they want to protect him from," the expert shared. Basically, TikTok is probably out of the question.

It's also believed that the school will implement strict rules regarding Prince George's presence.

"[F]ellow students will be warned against taking photos or leaking information about their famous classmate, with William keeping a close eye as he expects his son to get the same treatment he and his brother [Prince Harry] received when they attended Eton," Ferguson wrote.

Not all royal experts agree that Prince George will receive a cell phone following his 13th birthday.

For instance, royal commentator Sarah Hewson recently told Vanity Fair, "One thing George won't be getting [for his 13th birthday] is an iPhone." Hewson continued, "His parents are very hot on phones, and they won't allow him on social media. They want to protect him from that for as long as they can."

Still, when Prince George begins studying at Eton College, life is sure to change in a major way for the young royal and his family.

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In recent years, Prince William has taken on a more central role within the Royal Family. As the heir apparent, William knows he'll one day become King, following the death of his father. As the Prince of Wales prepares for the future, one royal expert believes William has already "dropped big hints" about what everyone can expect from him.

In an interview with GB News, royal correspondent and author Simon Vigar—who is set to release The Four Wives of Windsor: Rivalries, Influence, and the Real Power Behind the Crown later this month—discussed Prince William's alleged plans.

"William dropped those big hints in the Apple TV documentary [The Reluctant Traveler], talking actually about the changes that he wants to make," Vigar explained. In particular, Prince William addressed the "insatiable" press interest surrounding the Royal Family, which leads to a lack of privacy.

According to Vigar, Prince William is likely to prioritize making a change when it comes to how the media interacts with the Royal Family. "I put money on that being one of them," he told the outlet

Vigar also believes that Prince William will seek to protect his three children—Prince George, Prince Louis, and Princess Charlotte—as they embark upon their adult lives.

"The gentleman's agreement to leave William alone at university did hold, and of course, it was a camera crew from a TV company owned by his uncle [Prince] Edward—that was the only one that actually broke it," per Vigar.

The royal biographer continued, "In terms of when George, Charlotte, and Louis complete university, once they're in their twenties, I think it'll be a similar deal, and privacy law is changing all the time. There will be similar conversations."

Vigar also suggested that rules regarding "what can be printed about the people" that begin dating "the young royals" will also undergo change. "It'll definitely develop," Vigar explained.

As Prince William always makes his family a priority, it makes sense that he'd want to ensure their safety as much as possible once he's King.

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As Prince William's eldest child, Prince George has a huge future ahead of him. The young royal recently turned 13, and it's clear that he's growing up fast, which apparently includes taking style tips from his dad.

In an Instagram video celebrating Prince George's 13th birthday, the young royal was seen enjoying time outside with his family. In one particular shot, George appeared to be wearing a new watch, which looked a lot like the Garmin D2 Air X15, which retails for $649.99.

Although Prince William is best known for wearing an Omega Seamaster 300m, which was a gift from his late mom, Princess Diana, he also owns at least one Garmin watch. During a 2023 visit to a food bank in Windsor, William wore his Omega on one wrist and a Garmin Forerunner 245 on the other, Watch Pro reported.

Prince George's new accessory seems to be a clear sign that his dad, Prince William, is already influencing the future King's style.

The candid Instagram video of George followed the release of the prince's official 13th birthday portrait, in which he was pictured wearing a suit jacket with a crisp white shirt.

And when it comes to the young royal's everyday style, Prince William already appears to be one of Prince George's biggest influences, which is low-key adorable.

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Prince George is embarking on an important step towards the throne later this year, with the future King set to attend boarding school at Eton College. Having already undergone several kingship lessons, Prince William's son is likely quietly getting ready to become the heir apparent one day. And according to one royal expert, the 13-year-old royal can turn to two "refreshingly normal" royal relatives whenever he needs advice.

In an interview with the Daily Mail, royal biographer Robert Jobson suggested that Prince George's godmother, Zara Tindall, is an important figure in the young royal's life. Her husband, former rugby player Mike Tindall, is also highlighted as a key person George can rely upon.

"Watch Zara with George, and there is no deference in it," Jobson told the outlet. "She teases him. He is easy with her the way children are easy with adults who want nothing from them."

Jobson continued, "Then there is Mike, who is not a godparent and has become something better. He talks to him about losing, the one subject nobody else raises, because everybody else is invested in the boy winning."

Having played rugby professionally, Mike has a unique perspective, which he can share with George, Jobson noted.

"Mike has lost in front of 80,000 people," the biographer said. "He can be funny about it the next morning."

According to Jobson, Mike's demeanor will also be a positive influence on the future King: "No airs and graces about the man."

Despite being Princess Anne's daughter, Zara was raised without an official royal title, allowing her to lead a relatively normal life in many ways.

Having previously interviewed Zara, Jobson called her "brilliant," "confident," and "refreshingly normal."

"[Mike] married into the most scrutinized family on earth and has never once behaved like a man who married up," Jobson told the outlet. "Two world champions [Zara as an Olympian, Mike as a professional rugby star]. Neither remotely impressed by any of it. That is the lesson."

Their discretion, too, is notable: "They have never sold access or traded overtly on the royal name," Jobson explained.

Ultimately, Jobson believes that Zara and Mike's real life experiences will provide George with the insight and advice he needs in the future.

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Prince George turned 13 this week and his birthday was commemorated with a new portrait and a behind-the-scenes Instagram video. Notably, the young prince was captured spending time outdoors, marking a more casual approach to presenting the Royal Family. And according to one royal expert, Princess Kate and Prince William have deliberately employed one "highly successful tactic" when it comes to George.

Speaking to the Mirror, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond discussed the way Prince George's birthday was celebrated by his parents on social media.

"I love the fact that they refer to him—and their other children [Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis]—simply by their Christian [first] names, without the formality or pomposity of using their titles," Bond told the outlet. "It sets a new tone, a tone that William has spoken about: being royal with a small 'r.'"

Discussing the importance of the more casual nature of Prince George's official birthday portrait and video, Bond told the publication, "For William and Catherine, it is a way of protecting their children, and it is working well. That's partly because the pictures are clearly quite relaxed and informal."

"And this year we got a bit of both: the fun video of George on holiday with his siblings, and the much smarter one in his suit (happily without his tie!)," the former BBC royal correspondent explained.

Despite the slight informality of George's birthday portrait, Bond notes that "seeing him in his suit helps mark his transition from child to teenager."

Ultimately, Bond believes Kate and William have discovered a winning strategy when it comes to presenting their kids to the world.

The expert shared, "I suspect this tradition will continue...Over the years, the photos have shown a young boy smiling and laughing, happy and confident—far better pictures than a bank of press photographers could have achieved. And so it has been a highly successful tactic."

Importantly, Prince George will soon attend Eton College, marking yet another important step in his road to kingship.

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Prince George turned 13 on July 22, and the new teenager is set to attend Eton College this fall. It's clear that Princess Kate and Prince William's eldest child is growing up and embarking on a new chapter. And according to several royal experts, the Prince and Princess of Wales have a "relatively small window" in which they can shape George's life.

In the latest episode of the Telegraph's "Daily T" podcast, royal experts Camilla Tominey, Victoria Ward, and India McTaggart discussed how Kate and William are purposefully shaping George's future as an heir to the throne.

Ward noted that for "the last 13 years, they've made family life...the priority." The Telegraph's deputy royal editor continued, "[T]hey've always known that he's eventually going to go to boarding school at 13. So they've got this relatively small window to shape this man."

According to Ward, Prince William's focus on the prioritization of mental health will likely influence the way he's raising Prince George.

"William often talks about his mental toolkit, doesn't he?" Ward noted. The expert continued, "And I feel like...they want to give George and the others these tools to be able to take on this life of duty when they're a bit older."

In honor of George's 13th birthday, a source opened up to the Telegraph about Princess Kate and Prince William's parenting choices. Per the source, "The way they have lived their lives—getting the kids outside, spending time together, focusing on the school run—it's just as strategic as any other part of their public service."

The source continued, "Preparing their children for the lives they are going to lead [is] central to their roles."

Without a doubt, attending Eton College will be a huge change for Prince George, as well as an important step as he prepares for his future within the Royal Family.

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Prince George is growing up. The eldest child of the Prince and Princess of Wales just turned thirteen, and now that the teenage years have begun, a whole new set of parental worries set in. Prince George will start at Eton College in September, and his newfound independence will bring new challenges for the future King.

“There are parental concerns, naturally, that he will be growing up in a digital age,” Royal editor Rebecca English wrote for the Daily Mail. “The couple have refused to allow their children to have mobile phones, although admit that will change with their eldest at senior school.” Prince William was very clear that his children do not have phones, but Prince George may need a brick phone when he starts at Eton College. These nostalgic brick phones, like a throwback Nokia 3310, have minimal features and are purposely low-tech.

“One thing George won’t be getting [for his thirteenth birthday] is an iPhone,” royal commentator Sarah Hewson told Vanity Fair. “His parents are very hot on phones, and they won’t allow him on social media. They want to protect him from that for as long as they can.”

In November 2025, Prince William told Brazilian TV host Luciano Huck, "I think when George moves on to secondary school, then maybe he might have a phone that has no internet access." The Prince of Wales clarified that its “the internet access I have a problem with. I think children can access too much stuff they don’t need to see online, and so having a phone and text message, the old sort of 'brick phone' as they call them, I think that’s fine.”

While smartphone addiction and social media are a concern for the Prince and Princess of Wales, their main worry for Prince George is a little more complicated. “The couple’s biggest worry now is not the paparazzi but an entire generation armed with camera phones, instantly uploading snaps and videos for ‘clout and likes’,” Rebecca English wrote.

With every smartphone boasting a state-of-the-art camera, anyone can snap a photo or video of Prince George and guarantee it will go viral—and it's impossible to police. “It will be interesting to see how they navigate this challenge given how determined they have always been to ringfence their family from the moment George and his siblings were born.”

To mark their eldest son’s 13th birthday, the Prince and Princess of Wales shared a rare video featuring an athletic and very teenage-looking Prince George. From a mature suit to swim shorts, the video and official photograph showed the many facets of the boy who will one day be king. Alongside Prince George’s cool guy sunglasses and cricket abilities, Prince Louis made a sweet and unexpected appearance in the short video montage shared on social media.

In the Isles of Scilly, Prince George and Prince Louis shared a moment of brotherly bonding on a recent family vacation as they bounded across rock formations along the beach. Both brothers showed off their daredevil moves as they adeptly jumped from rock to rock, in time with each other. Their deep bond—both as brothers and as part of a nature-loving family—was on display in the short video clip.

While Prince George and Princess Charlotte have regularly attended royal events with their parents, Prince William and Princess Kate, the younger and charismatic Prince Louis often hangs back. Despite their five-year age difference, Prince George and Prince Louis appear close and caring towards each other at official royal events like Trooping the Colour and the Princess of Wales’s annual Christmas Carol Concert.

Their relationship will soon be tested as Prince George flies the family nest in September. As he begins secondary school, Prince George will be a weekly boarder at Eton College, near their family home in Windsor. As a weekly boarder, Prince George will stay in a dormitory from Monday through Friday, where he can bond with classmates and experience life as a normal kid at boarding school. Prince George will have the option to return home to spend weekends with his family at Forest Lodge, where Prince Louis will undoubtedly enjoy having his big brother back at home.

It’s hard to believe Prince George is turning 13 on July 22. Not only will he be a teenager, but the future King will be leaving home to attend his father’s alma mater, Eton College, with George set to begin secondary school in early September. The elite boarding school, founded in 1440, is home to centuries of tradition, and apparently, one of their rules is right up “protective” Prince William and Princess Kate’s alley.

Per the Telegraph, first-year boys at Eton College aren’t permitted to have smartphones and can only use “a ‘brick phone’ for basic contact with their families.” While it might seem extreme for a teenager in today’s world, it won’t be a problem for George, who doesn’t have a cell phone anyway.

The Prince of Wales revealed his stance on technology for Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis when he took part in Eugene Levy’s series The Reluctant Traveler last year. “None of our children have any phones, which we’re very strict about,” William told the actor.

However, Eton’s technology rule for new boys falls in line with William and Kate’s parenting strategy. Royal editor and author Russell Myers told the Telegraph that William and Kate are “extremely protective” of their children, but they also want Prince George to thrive in his new environment.

“William’s experience of Eton was a happy one, but both he and Catherine realize their children’s school lives may be considerably different in today’s world,” Myers shared.

While visiting Brazil for the Earthshot Prize last year, the Prince of Wales said he was considering getting a basic phone for George when he headed off to boarding school. “It is really hard. Our children don't have phones,” he told Brazilian TV host Luciano Huck, adding, “When George moves onto secondary school, maybe he'll have one with limited access.”

The Prince and Princess of Wales put on a united front when it comes to their kids and technology, with William explaining that they talk to George “and explain why we don't think it's right.”

“With full access, children end up seeing things on the internet that they shouldn't,” he said, admitting that “it's good for messaging” if the right controls are in place.

Now that George will be living away from home, it seems like that brick phone might get lots of use.

Prince George will celebrate his 13th birthday on Wednesday, July 22, and this fall, he’ll head away from home to follow in his father’s boarding school footsteps at Eton College. Although George will be the same age as Prince William was when he enrolled at Eton, their lives couldn’t be more different, as royal experts and sources close to the Wales family have revealed.

As the first heir to the throne to be raised in a world with social media, George’s time at Eton will certainly look different than his father’s. But when he arrives in the historic town, George will have the benefit of a stable family to come back to in Windsor—a much different familial situation than the one William found himself in as a teenager.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, royal journalist and biographer Robert Jobson said that “the difference is everything,” when it comes to George’s home life and his father’s.

When Prince William started his boarding school journey in 1995, Prince Charles and Princess Diana were separated, making for an awkward photo call with the family. George, however, will have the support of a united family when the Waleses pose for similar photos at the start of term.

“William walked into Eton carrying his parents’ marital war,” Jobson said. “George walks in from a settled home.”

However, life hasn’t been without its challenges for George, who was there to cheer on the Princess of Wales when she recently completed the National Three Peaks climbing challenge to support the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

“He has not been spared pain,” Jobson noted. “He watched his mother fight and beat cancer. He watched his grandfather live with it. He has emerged steadier.”

Although Prince George is “aware of his future,” as friends of William and Kate's tell the Telegraph, the soon-to-be teenager is also “incredibly down to earth.”

Whether it's taking part in tennis or art, George is a busy student enjoying his last year of school before the world of Eton and a future of royal responsibilities takes over.

A huge milestone is ahead for Prince George, who will be heading to boarding school at Eton College this fall. But until then, George—who will turn 13 on Wednesday, July 22—has the rest of the summer to enjoy with the Royal Family. Sources close to Prince William and Princess Kate have described the soon-to-be teenager as “incredibly down to earth,” per the Telegraph, and before he started secondary school, George approached his parents with an idea.

It seems Prince George, who has attended Lambrook School with siblings Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis since they moved to Windsor in 2022, wanted to get a jump start on living at school.

“He asked them if he could board weekly at Lambrook,” royal author and journalist Robert Jobson told the Daily Mail, adding that the Prince and Princess of Wales “agreed.”

“It helped him grow, to be part of a collective,” Jobson continued.

The Prince of Wales revealed that George occasionally boards at Lambrook in an interview with Britain's Heart Radio in May. “Charlotte and Louis—because George is boarding last night—Charlotte and Louis, if you're listening, make sure you're on time, please, make sure you're not fighting over who listens to what, this morning,” he said during the radio show.

Like his father, Prince George will board full-time at Eton College until he heads off to university. And although he’ll be living away from home, the elite private school is located just a stone’s throw from Windsor Castle and just about a 15-minute drive from the Wales family’s home, Forest Lodge, making it easy to visit on weekends.

Luckily, since he's already been practicing by boarding at Lambrook, it should make Prince George's big transition just a bit easier.

Prince George's life is about to change in a major way when he attends Eton College this fall. The young royal will develop even more independence at the boarding school, which just so happens to be dad Prince William's alma mater. According to one royal author, Prince George always has a safe space he can return home to thanks to Princess Kate and Prince William.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, royal author Robert Jobson revealed that Prince George's experience at Eton will be extremely different from William's time at the school.

"The difference is everything," Jobson told the outlet. "William walked into Eton carrying his parents' marital war. George walks in from a settled home."

The royal biographer continued, "Two parents, together, who built him a base and guard it fiercely. Confidence is not taught. It is absorbed."

According to Jobson, Prince William has worked extremely hard to ensure his children experience a happy childhood, free from the difficult challenges he endured.

"[George] has not been spared pain," Jobson told the outlet. "He watched his mother fight and beat cancer. He watched his grandfather live with it. He has emerged steadier."

Detailing some of Prince George's accomplishments and educational passions, the author shared, "He is smart. He loves history." Jobson continued, "Standing before Henry VIII's armor last October, his father said it plainly. 'George, my son, is way better in history than I am, and I have to check with him now on my dates.'"

Jobson further noted that George has embraced sport, including "his mother's game"—hockey—while supporting his dad's favorite soccer team, Aston Villa.

With the support of his parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales, it seems likely that Prince George will thrive at Eton College. Regardless of the challenges he faces, the young royal will seemingly always be able to retreat to the safety of his "base" at home.

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