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.

Princess Kate and Prince William had an exceedingly eventful weekend as the pair attended the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games in Scotland with their three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. From springing into "dad mode" to executing damage control, Prince William appeared to be on high alert throughout the event. But according to royal fans, the Prince of Wales was never far away from his wife.

One X user highlighted Prince William's seeming adoration of Princess Kate by sharing two photos. In the first snap, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, and Prince George sit between Kate and William. In the second, the children have moved, leaving Princess Kate and Prince William to sit next to one another. The royal fan captioned the post, "How it started v. how it ended...Oh William."

Another commenter suggested that William was a "smart man" for moving closer to his wife. Meanwhile, someone else shared, "They can't live without each other."

According to the Express, another royal fan expressed excitement regarding Kate and William's appearance at the Commonwealth Games, writing, "Prince William wanted to sit next to Princess Catherine!! So sweet. The bond they have with each other and their children is amazing! I love it!"

After navigating some complicated family dynamics, it appears as though Kate and William always come back to one another.

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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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Princess Kate is an incredibly influential member of the Royal Family. While her fashion choices cause items of clothing to immediately sell out, her hair and beauty decisions also inspire a plethora of royal fans around the globe. However, in the latest poll regarding who the most popular member of the Royal Family is, Princess Kate was beaten by an unexpected person.

According to the latest YouGov poll, Prince William is currently the most popular member of the British Royal Family. 76 percent of those asked had a positive opinion of the Prince of Wales, compared to 74 percent for his wife Princess Kate.

Princess Anne came third place in the poll, with 70 percent of voters sharing a positive opinion about the Princess Royal. Unfortunately for King Charles, his popularity appears to have waned, with the monarch only receiving a score of 60 percent.

While Prince Edward drew a positive opinion of 53 percent, his wife, Duchess Sophie, received only 51 percent. Still, both scored considerably higher than Queen Camilla, who scored just 43 percent.

According to YouGov, Prince William and Princess Kate "continue to be the most positively viewed royals, with around three quarters of Britons seeing the Waleses in a favorable light, figures largely unchanged over the last few years."

When it comes to the Royal Family in general, a larger percentage of voters appear to view the institution in a more negative light.

"Attitudes towards the family and monarchy as a whole remain mostly positive, with around six in ten Britons seeing the Royal Family in general and the institution of the monarchy in favorable lights, though a persistent third see both negatively," YouGov reported.

For now, at least, Prince William is reportedly the most popular member of the Royal Family.

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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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Prince William and Princess Kate have long been considered one of the royal family's strongest couples. Nevertheless, even the happiest couples have their fair share of differences. In Russell Myers’ new biography, William & Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story, he reveals one issue that challenged the Prince and Princess of Wales early in their relationship—and it's one that many parents can relate to.

The royal author recalled: "One thing [William and Kate] couldn’t concur on was a name” for their first child, Prince George. After spending hours combing through baby names, the couple was left divided, with the heir to the throne favoring a “more traditional route.” Eventually, William “settled on a shortlist of two names for a boy: George and Louis,” two names that span centuries within the royal lineage.

As for Princess Kate, she had her own favorites. Myers said, "Catherine had her heart set on Alexander for a boy or Alexandra (also Queen Elizabeth’s middle name) for a girl.”

Clearly, the Prince of Wales won the name battle. However, Kate snuck her choice in: Prince George’s middle name is Alexander.

Prince William and Princess Kate met in 2001 while they were both students at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. They initially bonded as friends while living in the same residence hall, St. Salvador’s. By their second year, the two had moved off campus into a cottage with two other friends. It wasn't until 2003 that their relationship turned romantic.

Over 20 years later, the Prince and Princess of Wales remain strong as ever, living in Forest Lodge with their three children, Prince Louis, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, and two dogs, Orla and Otto.

During a recent appearance on “Heart Breakfast,” William said of Kate, “She is an amazing mom and amazing wife, and our family couldn't cope without her. She's been absolutely stunning.”

Despite living in a literal palace, Queen Elizabeth was famously frugal. Former royal staff members have frequently commented on her humble tastes and dislike of anything that could be viewed as excess, especially when it came to wasting food. And although King Charles is known for being an environmentalist, the late Queen also had one eco-friendly pet peeve at Buckingham Palace.

In his book Elizabeth: An Intimate Portrait, Gyles Brandreth shared that Queen Elizabeth was very much a product of the World War II generation when it came to being thrifty. Decades after rationing and energy usage restrictions had ended, she still didn’t like to use the heat at Buckingham Palace.

“Elizabeth II could not abide empty rooms being heated unnecessarily and preferred her rooms heated with electric fires where she could turn on just one or two bars of the fire as required,” Brandreth wrote.

The late Queen thought that younger people who hadn’t been through the war “were very profligate with their use of fuel,” former Prime Minister Edward Heath told the author. That being said, Queen Elizabeth took matters into her own hands when her family didn't cooperate.

During a conversation with Brandreth in the ‘80s, the late Queen told him that she spent “an awful lot of time going from room to room turning off the lights” when her children Charles, Anne, Andrew and Edward were young.

“It really annoys me when people leave the lights on,” she told Brandreth. “It’s just so wasteful.”

It seems her habits trickled down to King Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry. In the BBC documentary Prince, Son and Heir: Charles at 70, Harry and William admitted that they take after their father when it comes to turning off the lights.

“He's a stickler for turning lights off and that’s now something that I’m obsessed with,” Prince Harry said, with Prince William chiming in, “I know, I’ve got serious OCD with light switches now, which is terrible.” The Duke of Sussex said that his wife, Meghan Markle, was puzzled by his lights obsession, with Harry stating she'd say, “Well, why turn the lights off? You know, it’s dark.”

It seems she has Queen Elizabeth to thank.

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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Prince William and Princess Kate are saying goodbye ahead of their annual summer break. In a post shared on social media, the Prince and Princess of Wales shared a “Summer Rewind,” captioned: “Thank you to everyone who has made the last few months so special!”

The multimedia post shared highlights from the Prince and Princess’s work over the last few months. Starting off with the Buckingham Palace Garden Party they hosted in early May, the post highlighted key events from their royal engagements like David Attenborough’s 100th birthday celebration, Princess Kate’s trip to Reggio Emilia, Italy, Royal Ascot, and Wimbledon. Several key charity visits and royal engagements were also featured in the slideshow, highlighting the important causes that Prince William and Princess Kate support.

Alongside the royal engagements, the prince and princess shared some sweet family moments over the last few months. A special family photo from a joint Father’s Day-Prince William’s birthday post was featured, along with birthday photos from Prince Louis’s, Princess Charlotte’s, and Prince George’s birthdays. Princess Kate’s Three Peaks Challenge, which was a personal mission for her, was also featured in the slideshow.

Social media followers flooded the comments, with Instagram follower Vicki Heselton saying that the post was a “beautiful mix of family and duty.” Several comments wished the royal couple a happy summer vacation. “We already miss you, and we wish you a peaceful summer break!” Alessandra Caixeta commented. Prince William and Princess Kate historically take several weeks over the school holidays as private family time, regularly decamping to their Norfolk home, Anmer Hall, or escaping to the Isles of Scilly in Cornwall.

Prince William and Princess Kate’s post is a semi-official sign-off for summer. They are likely to return to their royal duties in mid-September, once Prince George is settled in at his new school, Eton College, and Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte are back at Lambrook School.

Princess Kate and Prince William announced their engagement on November 16, 2010, having gotten engaged during a trip to Kenya three weeks prior. But according to one royal biographer, King Charles was allegedly "a little irritated" when it came to Prince William's proposal.

In his book The Windsor Legacy: A Royal Dynasty of Secrets, Scandal, and Survival, royal biographer Robert Jobson explained, "The palace announced William and Catherine's wedding for April 29, 2011, at Westminster Abbey, a joyful event that would at last overshadow the sorrow of Diana's funeral in 1997."

Jobson continued, "Privately, Charles was surprised, even 'a little irritated' that William had proposed to Catherine using the same 12-carat Ceylon sapphire and diamond ring from Garrard's 1981 catalog, that he had presented to Diana on their engagement."

According to Jobson, this insight regarding King Charles's reaction was provided to him by a former palace employee.

However, any irritation King Charles might have felt seemed to quickly evaporate.

According to Jobson, "Prince William had kept his big news secret, even from The Queen and his father, making private plans with Catherine for their future."

The royal biographer continued, "On November 16, 2010, he telephoned The Queen to announce that he and Catherine were now officially engaged. She was delighted. When asked by the press, Charles joked that the pair had been practicing long enough."

In spite of any alleged trepidation King Charles may have experienced, it seems likely that the monarch was ultimately pleased about William and Kate's decision to marry.

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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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Now that Wimbledon is over and school is out, Prince William and his family will be enjoying time at their country home, Anmer Hall, and heading to Balmoral for their annual summer break. But when he was younger, the Prince of Wales had another summer tradition with Prince Harry and their cousins, as former royal butler Grant Harrold recently shared.

Speaking to Coffee Friend, Harrold—who worked for King Charles at his country retreat, Highgrove House—said that summer meant plenty of al fresco dining at the Gloucestershire estate. “The royals definitely do have barbecues over weekend periods,” Harrold said. “I remember Prince William and Harry having their cousins over and having barbecues, and they would go swimming.”

The laid-back parties were a rare time when Harrold and the rest of The King’s Highgrove employees didn’t serve the royals. “We wouldn’t get involved, and the staff didn’t have to cook,” he shared, adding that William, Harry and the rest of their guests “would do it all themselves.”

Harry and William's BBQs follow in the footsteps of Prince Phillip, who was famous for his prowess with a grill, especially at Balmoral. Picnics at the Scottish estate were another time when the staff wouldn't be on serving duty, although the royal kitchen did prepare their food, as Harrold previously shared.

As for King Charles, Harrold said that his former boss “always likes to have breakfast outside in the warm weather” when he’s at Highgrove. “There’s like a little sundial garden, and there's a table, so it's quite nice that they get to utilize the garden,” he said. “I also recall some evenings where they would also enjoy their dinners outside if it was nice weather.”

King Charles has a reputation as a workaholic, but during the summer months, Harrold said The King keeps his routine a little more laid back.

“The King also works outside, so quite often be on a chair outside Highgrove with his phone and his paperwork and he’ll work away in the sunshine,” he shared.

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.”

In a certain social group, some birthday party invitations are more impressive than others. As Prince George celebrates his thirteenth birthday, school parents at Lambrook School—where Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis have attended school for the last few years—have revealed Prince William and Princess Kate are incredibly “hands-on” at their children’s birthday parties. While it's hard to imagine a low-key birthday party for the future King of England, the Prince and Princess of Wales are known for hosting down-to-earth children’s parties at their family home.

Daily Beast journalist Tom Sykes revealed in his Substack that the birthday parties at Forest Lodge are void of pomp and ceremony. "I went to the house for a kid's birthday party, and [Prince William and Princess Kate] were the ones organizing the games,” a parent from Lambrook School revealed. Rounders—a British-equivalent to baseball—and classic party games were part of the simple celebrations. "Any of us lot would get an entertainer in and sit in the house drinking rosé,” the parent said, but Prince William and Princess Kate were heavily involved in the party plans.

This seems a departure from royal childhoods of the past, which is exactly how Prince William likes it. Royal Editor Emily Andrews shared insights from a close friend of the royal couple, writing "The prince and princess have put in boundaries to give their children an incredibly normal upbringing in the circumstances. How they decide when they show up at events is carefully balanced. The prince has always wanted to give them the normal upbringing that he didn't have." Andrews noted that these down-to-earth parties left fellow school parents “gently amused.”

While it may not be the royal way of doing things, it is certainly the Middleton way of planning parties. Carole Middleton was once the Queen of Parties as founder of Party Pieces, a children’s party supply company. The Middleton matriarch once praised at-home parties as being the best kind—simple parties with friends, party games, and a cake can go a long way. “I remember all my school friends cramming into our front room for games and tea,” Carole Middleton told the Daily Mail. While blowout parties at play places and sporting facilities became more and more popular, the trend has slowly shifted back to the relaxed party at home. “Parents are starting to choose small, simple parties at home or in a hall again,” Carole said.

A small, simple party at Forest Lodge sounds idyllic—if not surprising, given the children’s royal status—and fits right into a Middleton family tradition. Prince William and Princess Kate organizing pass-the-parcel and doing the limbo might be just the down-to-earth modernization that the monarchy needs.

Prince William and Princess Kate have had one united mission for the last thirteen years: to give their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, as normal a childhood as possible. That is the resounding explanation as they prioritize soccer games and school runs over royal duties, at least while they can. This is a huge shift from royal childhoods throughout history, where the future monarch was brought up from an early age in a world of nannies and tutors behind palace walls.

Royal sources say that this unprecedented decision to bring their children up on solid salt-of-the-earth ground was actually a strategic choice for the future of the monarchy. “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,” a source told The Telegraph. “Preparing their children for the lives they are going to lead” is “central to their roles” as the Prince and Princess of Wales, rather than a secondary role that can be outsourced to the nanny. “It’s not something that’s on the side.”

Princess Kate’s work with the Royal Foundation for Early Childhood has surely illuminated the importance of those early childhood years, up to age five and beyond, in creating well-rounded, balanced, and grounded adults in the future. To raise a healthy and happy future king, they need to raise Prince George as a normal and well-adjusted child first. Prince William’s own experience as a young royal, alongside Princess Kate’s expertise, helped to shape their unique way of raising royal children.

The biggest test of their plan is right around the corner. While they have filled their family home with “muddy boots outside, dogs and kids running in and out of the garden, something lovely cooking on the stove,” they can’t control the environment at Eton College. Notoriously ritzy and elitist, fellow students at Eton College may have had a very different experience from camping in the Lake District and beachy holidays in Cornwall. Only time will tell if their down-to-earth family life will pay off for the future Kings of England.

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.

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.

Princess Kate and Prince William's royal romance has gripped fans around the world since their relationship was first made public. Having tied the knot on April 29, 2011, the Prince and Princess of Wales have since welcomed three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—and built a life together. And according to one expert, Kate and William are now entering the next "chapter of their marriage."

Speaking the Daily Mail, body language expert Judi James said that Kate and William's recent appearances have shown "the honest intensity of their feelings for each other."

James continued, "Their rituals suggest there's been no real change in the intensity of their love for one another; what's happened is they have finally felt safe enough to trust enough (not each other but the public and the press) to show it."

James also referenced the moment Prince William hugged Princess Kate after she completed the Three Peaks Challenge for charity.

"It's a hug that suggests all inhibitions are being jettisoned as the desire to greet and cherish takes over," the expert noted.

The body language expert also dubbed the change "the latest chapter of their marriage," in which the couple will "feel free to show their levels of mutual love and adoration by more tactile behaviors in public."

According to James, William and Kate's newfound PDA is "still very much a part of their personal and generational royal brand now."

Royal fans will, of course, be happy to witness the next phase of Kate and William's royal romance.

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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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Princess Diana became known for many things throughout her life, such as her much-envied sense of style and her adoration of her children, Prince Harry and Prince William. According to one of the late princess's former staff members, Diana even prioritized her sons when it came to managing her closet and her bank account.

In his book, A Royal Duty, former royal butler Paul Burrell shared, "Some dresses were never destined for auctions or museums." Instead, some of Princess Diana's designer items were taken to thrift "stores in Knightsbridge or Chelsea [in London] where they would be handed over in exchange for cash when sold."

According to Burrell, it was entirely Diana's decision to sell some pieces of clothing, in order "to raise spending money for her because royals rarely carry hard currency." Basically, Princess Diana reportedly wanted to have a means of income, which wasn't necessarily tracked alongside her regular credit card spending.

"By generating cash, she could spend it as she wished without trace, and take William and Harry to the cinema or to McDonald's," Burrell wrote.

Burrell also elaborated on witnessing Harry and William learning about money as children.

"In the biggest paradox of their opulent royal life, the young princes were fascinated by money and how The Queen's face adorned every note of every denomination," the former royal butler shared.

He continued, "A £10 note was a 'brown Granny' and a £50 note was a 'pink Granny.' When the princess handed out money, it was a joy to watch the boys jumping up and down, clutching the notes, invariably a 'pink Granny.'"

Seemingly, Princess Diana was happy to sell her old clothing if it meant she could spoil William and Harry.

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Prince Harry’s children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, met with grandfather King Charles for the first in four years this month—but when it comes to reuniting with their uncle, Prince William, it seems that’s not in the cards just yet.

The Duke of Sussex traveled to the U.K. earlier this month to meet with charities close to his heart and take part in events related to the Invictus Games, which will be held in Birmingham, England next July. Along with his much-discussed security squabbles, there was a back-and-forth narrative of whether or not he’d be bringing wife Meghan Markle and their kids Archie, 7, and Lilibet, 5—and if they’d see King Charles at all.

Ultimately, his wife and children joined Prince Harry briefly at the end of his trip and spent time with King Charles and Queen Camilla at Highgrove House, The King’s country estate. No photos or details have been released from their meeting, which happened on July 10, the same day the Prince and Princess of Wales attended the Royal Charity Polo Cup.

However, when it comes to Prince William, sources close to the Royal Family say there was never a chance of him attending the get-together with Harry.

A source close to both William and Harry told People that Charles and Diana’s sons continue to be estranged. “I thought it would have perhaps eased a little bit by now, to be honest,” the source said of the tension between the brothers. “But there has been no movement, especially on William’s side. There is no contact.”

Another insider added that Harry and William’s relationship is “so broken.”

The brothers were last seen engaging with each other in public in September 2022, when Harry and William did a joint walkabout with Meghan and Kate to meet fans who had gathered outside Windsor Castle after Queen Elizabeth's death.

Prince William and Princess Kate have made it a tradition to bring their kids to Wimbledon every year, and on Sunday, July 12, Prince George and Princess Charlotte joined their parents for the men’s finals on an especially hot summer day. George, 12, and Charlotte, 11, tried their best to cool down with Queen Camilla-approved battery-operated fans as the temperatures reached close to 90 degrees, but with the royal box directly in the sun, it became necessary to make a quick escape.

Fortunately, Prince William jumped into “dad mode” as the Princess of Wales carried out her duties as the patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC).

The Prince of Wales, Prince George and Princess Charlotte took an extended break from the tennis action at one point during the men’s finals, according to influencer Laura-Ann Barr, whose seat faced the royal box. In a series of Instagram Stories, she pointed out that the “sun is just too much,” adding that organizers started handing out Wimbledon-branded sun hats in the royal box and Prince William had “taken the kids out for a break!”

With men and boys required to wear a jacket and tie in the royal box, it’s no wonder that the future King and his heir were especially uncomfortable in the heat. Princess Charlotte eventually returned to the box in a video shared by Barr on her Story, but then the Princess of Wales and her daughter left, with Barr writing that the duo likely headed off to find the others, who had been gone “30 to 45 minutes” at that point.

By the time the third set started, the royals were still missing in action, but Barr shared a video of the Wales family returning to their seats, noting it was “one hour later.”

Princess Charlotte followed in Queen Camilla's footsteps and was on double fan duty once she was settled in, pointing a white plastic fan at herself while also using a traditional paper fan. Meanwhile, Prince George held a battery-operated fan in front of his face during the match, and Princess Kate—wearing her old favorite L.K. Bennett sun hat—did the same.

Despite the uncomfortable temperatures, George and Charlotte appeared to be having a great time at the men's finals, laughing as they donned their Wimbledon hats and cheering for their mom as the Princess of Wales presented the trophy to Jannik Sinner.

Following several solo appearances at Wimbledon in 2026, Princess Kate was joined by husband Prince William and two of their kids—Princess Charlotte and Prince George—for the men's singles final on Sunday, July 12. Both George and Charlotte have attended the tennis tournament in the past, but that didn't preclude them from needing their dad to offer a "moment of reassurance," according to one royal expert.

The Daily Mail's royal editor, Rebecca English, shared footage of the Prince and Princess of Wales's arrival at Wimbledon on Instagram. In one clip, Prince William appears to take Prince George aside to check that he's okay.

"The Prince and Princess of Wales have arrived at @Wimbledon with Prince George and Princess Charlotte," English's caption explained. "A sweet moment of reassurance from dad too."

Additional photographs captured Prince William gently touching Prince George's arm, and placing his arm on Princess Charlotte's back. Clearly, the Prince of Wales is very protective of his family.

Prince George recently left Lambrook School—which he attended alongside siblings Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte. The future King will now attend Eton College, his dad's alma mater.

Royal experts have suggested that attending Eton will be an important step in Prince George's journey towards kingship.

Royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith previously told People, "Eton was a much-needed haven for William." She continued, "It will give George a rigorous education that he will need for his role."

The Good Schools Guide editor, Melanie Sanderson, also told the outlet, "As parents, you do talk about your school days, and your kids can relate to that. I'm confident that [George] will be very well prepared."

And with Prince William's gentle reassurance, it seems as though George, Charlotte, and Louis will all be ready for their future roles.

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On July 11, 2026, Princess Kate attended the Wimbledon women's singles final, where she presented the winner's trophy to Czechia's Linda Noskova. The Princess of Wales wore a striking strawberry red dress by Roland Mouret to watch the tense Saturday match. On Sunday, July 12, Kate returned to the tennis competition in a floaty green dress, accompanied by several Royal Family members.

Having made quite the impact in her bright red peplum dress at the women's final, Princess Kate opted for an olive green dress with a partial cape from Emilia Wickstead for the Wimbledon men's singles final.

The Princess of Wales was accompanied to the important match by husband, Prince William, and two of their children—Princess Charlotte and Prince George. Unfortunately, Prince Louis didn't attend alongside his siblings.

Princess Kate accessorized her new dress with her DeMellier The Nano Montreal Bag in Deep Toffee Smooth and a pair of Ralph Lauren Collection Celia 100 Pumps in Gold, via @katemiddletonstyled.

Although it's currently unavailable, fans of Princess Kate's DeMellier bag can pre-order the design for $450. The royal's Ralph Lauren Collection heels remain available to shop in alternate shades.

For jewelry, the royal opted for Van Cleef and Arpels Magic Alhambra Earrings and a Maya Torque Bangle in Aquamarine from Halcyon Days.

Tennis champ Andy Murray opened up about Princess Kate's love of the sport after attending a match alongside the royal.

"Yes, it was a fun afternoon," he told Hello! magazine. "She is definitely a tennis fan and she plays a bit herself, I think."

He continued, "I think she also plays padel. We watched the Katie Swan and Madison Keys match, so it was good to be watching a British player together."

Clearly, Princess Kate and her immediate family all take Wimbledon very seriously, which is always fun to witness.

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Prince William regularly makes jokes when conducting official royal engagements and his sense of humor definitely seems to help, even in more serious moments. On July 9, the Prince of Wales made a solo visit to Hastings, England, but one royal fan wasn't necessarily impressed after meeting the royal.

Prince William met a plethora of people during his visit to Hastings, including a baby named Sebastian. Per the BBC, a woman introduced the baby to William, saying, "This is Sebastian, he's been waiting for you."

According to the outlet, "when William crouched down, Sebastian burst into tears," which probably isn't the reaction the royal expected.

Not missing a beat, Prince William told Sebastian, "I know how you feel."

The Prince of Wales also remarked on how "hot" it was in the seaside town, and asked inhabitants if they were planning to go for a swim in the sea, via Hello! magazine.

Per the outlet, 4-year-old Arthur Turney—who was dressed as Spider-Man for the occasion—said he'd go swimming "when I get older." William responded by saying, "Today is the chance to swim. Go and make a big splash!"

On the Prince and Princess of Wales's Instagram account, a caption said of William's outing, "A visit to Hastings Commons, where neglected buildings have been transformed into homes, workspaces, and welcoming community spaces."

The caption continued, "Meeting young people at the youth club and spending time in the 'Public Living Room,' a place where anyone can find warmth, conversation, and connection. A powerful example of how community-led regeneration is creating opportunities and bringing people together."

Basically, Prince William's trip to Hastings appears to have been a huge success, even if one royal fan did start crying.

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Darren McGrady served as a chef to Queen Elizabeth before moving over to work for Princess Diana, and the former palace employee has shared the stark differences between the two households. Speaking to Heart Bingo Online, McGrady used the example of Prince William’s favorite ice cream to show how “relaxed” it was at Kensington Palace versus Buckingham Palace.

When William had a craving for ice cream, it was available to him at the press of a button at Buckingham Palace, McGrady shared, but it entailed a rather long wait.

“When I worked for The Queen, Prince William loved dark chocolate and asked for chocolate ice cream,” McGrady said. “The Queen would press a button, the page would come, she’d ask for the ice cream, and it triggered a long chain: head chef, pastry chef, silver pantry, glass pantry, linen room. Finally, 20 minutes later, William got his homemade ice cream presented to him.”

However, Diana ran a more casual kitchen environment. “At Kensington, it was much more relaxed,” McGrady said. “William would walk into the kitchen and say, ‘Darren, can I have some chocolate ice cream, please?’ I’d say, ‘Help yourself.’”

McGrady continued that William would “grab Haagen-Dazs chocolate chip, that was his favorite, open it, and sit in the windowsill eating it.” Princess Diana was also known to have a kitchen catch-up with Darren and the rest of the staff, often hanging out for snacks and gossip.

As for Queen Elizabeth, the former chef said that the late royal “had a sweet tooth and loved dark chocolate, especially anything over 60 percent cocoa,” adding, “Any dessert with chocolate on the menu was sure to be chosen.”

King Charles, on the other hand, isn't so much a cocoa fan. “Charles doesn’t like chocolate, and goes more for the fruit options,” McGrady revealed. “He would much rather have an orange olive oil tea cake or banana bread.”

Following the announcement that Prince George will attend Eton College, just like his father Prince William did, a royal source is opening up. Notably, the next step in Prince George's move towards kingship is apparently already in motion.

On Saturday, July 4, Prince George will reportedly leave Lambrook School for good, marking the end of a very important era for the future King. According to People, George is set to embark on "a long summer break," which will also signal a huge change for the young royal. Notably, he'll no longer be attending the same school as his siblings, 11-year-old Princess Charlotte and 8-year-old Prince Louis.

Royal sources and experts spoke to the outlet about Prince George's next steps towards his future role.

Royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith told the outlet, "Eton was a much-needed haven for William." She continued, "It will give George a rigorous education that he will need for his role."

A royal source with inside knowledge of the family told People, "George has always wanted to follow in his dad's footsteps." Basically, it seems that Prince William is laying the groundwork for Prince George's future success.

Ailsa Anderson, Queen Elizabeth's private secretary, also weighed in on the news, telling the publication, "Both William and Catherine carried out a lot of research to make the right decision."

Melanie Sanderson, who runs The Good Schools Guide, told People, "As parents, you do talk about your school days, and your kids can relate to that. I'm confident that [George] will be very well prepared."

Essentially, with a role model like Prince William, Prince George really has nothing to worry about.

Prince William appearing on Travis Kelce’s podcast, “New Heights,” was the surprise no one saw coming on the Kansas City Chiefs player’s wedding day to Taylor Swift. Kelce, who hosts the NFL podcast with his older brother Jason, discussed all things World Cup with the Prince of Wales on Friday, July 3, but in the process, the podcasters also gave the world a rare glimpse at one of the Royal Family's homes.

The Prince of Wales sat in front of some special artwork as he taped the episode, with the gold-framed oil painting featuring Windsor Castle in the snow. The scene is viewed from across the river in Eton, where Prince William attended secondary school. Notably, Prince George, 12, will also attend Eton College this fall, giving the painting even more meaning.

A blue credenza with a light wood top sits in the background under the painting, with a white ceramic jug arranged next to a copy of the book “Earthshot: How to Save Our Planet,” which the Prince of Wales wrote a forward to in 2021. The Wales family certainly didn't pick their jug up from HomeGoods, however—the vase is known as a Yabba pot and appears similar to a gift from the people of Jamaica that went on display at Buckingham Palace in 2002.

Two white pinecone-style sculptures on pedestals sit underneath the painting, and on the other end of the credenza, a wicker basket with unbloomed lilies frames the Windsor Castle artwork.

It’s likely Prince William dialed in for his appearance from his new home, Forest Lodge, as Jason and Travis noted that England had just won against Croatia a day or two before they taped the episode.

The game happened on Wednesday, June 17, the same day Prince William attended Royal Ascot with Princess Kate, and since the Wales children were still in school, it’s unlikely he would have been staying at another royal residence that week. As for William and Kate's decor, pardon me while I go hunting for a new Windsor Castle painting.

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Prince William and Princess Kate might not have received an invitation to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's Madison Square Garden wedding, but the royals certainly still have a connection to the football family. During the Prince of Wales's unexpected appearance on the "New Heights" podcast, Jason Kelce revealed the funny dilemma he experienced when meeting young royals, Princess Charlotte and Prince George, at the Eras Tour.

Travis pointed out that, while meeting Prince William, Princess Charlotte, and Prince George, his brother Jason had no idea what to do with his open beer. Basically, the NFL star worried that drinking alcohol in front of the royal children might have broken some unknown royal protocol.

"Yeah, it wasn't a joke," Jason shared during William's "New Heights" episode. "It was real. Well, you want to be respectful and know the protocols."

As for what he'll never forget about meeting members of the Royal Family at Swift's Eras Tour, Jason explained, "Princess Charlotte was still the highlight for me. I had four daughters as well, so I mean, she was great."

Prince William was pretty impressed with the revelation that Jason was a dad to four daughters, saying, "Now, congratulations." The prince continued, "Having four daughters. I don't know how you do that."

Jason joked in response, "That is definitely a difficult task. The hardest job."

In spite of his concerns about abiding by royal protocol, Jason appears to have made quite an impact on Prince William, and vice versa.

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Prince William has been a devoted soccer (or as he corrected Jason Kelce—football) fan since he was young, and he made a surprise appearance on Jason and Travis Kelce’s podcast, "New Heights," ahead of Taylor Swift and Travis’s wedding on Friday, July 3. But when Travis asked the Prince of Wales if “his dad” had influenced him to become an Aston Villa fan, William didn’t mince his words.

“Absolutely not. My father hates football,” he said of King Charles, causing the Kelce brothers to burst into laughter. William added, “My family haven’t got a particularly long history with football. There are a few of us who support teams.”

While King Charles isn’t the sportiest person, he’s more into other outdoor pursuits like mushroom foraging and organic gardening, and is also a lifelong lover of the arts.

Rather than his father, William said that friends influenced him to get into the Premier League, and the first match he ever saw was “Aston villa versus Bolton” in 2000, during which former England manager Gareth Southgate was a player.

Fast forward to 2026 and the Prince of Wales is patron of the Football Association. When Jason asked William what his role was in the FA, the Prince of Wales laughed and said, “Just don’t mess up.” More seriously, he added that “trying to get a World Cup to be hosted” in the U.K. was an aim for him, and also advocating for women’s soccer to become more popular.

As for the World Cup, Prince William promised he'd be heading to New Jersey if England makes the final later this month. One person who might not be attending, however, is Travis Kelce, who said he "probably won't be able to go" as he'll be at training camp for the Kansas City Chiefs. "Tell me who I need to write to, Travis," William said. "We'll get you out of there."

Prince William might not be attending Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's huge Madison Square Garden wedding in New York City, but he apparently remains close to the stars. On July 3, Travis and brother Jason Kelce announced that the Prince of Wales was making an extra special appearance—on their "New Heights" podcast.

"Our guest today is the six foot three [inch] prince from London, England," Jason shared in a teaser on social media. "That's right."

The retired NFL player continued, "The president of the English Football Association, the vice royal patron of the Welsh Rugby Union, the Duke of Cambridge, the Duke of Cornwall, the Lord of the Isles, Prince and Great Steward of Scotland, Earl of Chester, and the Prince of Wales. 92 percenters, please welcome His Royal Highness, Prince William."

Travis was visibly excited about the royal's appearance and couldn't hold back his cheers and applause.

Prince William was as self-deprecating as usual, and responded by saying, "That is quite the intro, guys. Amazing."

Jason confirmed the need for an impressive intro for the Royal Family member, saying, "We had to do it big for you. Had to do it big."

Notably, the episode is set to drop on Travis's wedding day to "Red" singer Swift.

Royal fans had been wondering whether Prince William and Princess Kate would be attending the pop star's nuptials. After all, William attended Swift's Eras Tour in London on his 42nd birthday in 2024, along with two of his kids—Princess Charlotte and Prince George. Subsequent selfies showed the royals posing with Swift and her husband.

However, on June 30, People broke the sad news that the Prince and Princess of Wales wouldn't be making the trip across the pond for Swift and Kelce's nuptials. Instead, a "New Heights" podcast appearance released on the couple's wedding day will simply have to suffice.

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Prince Harry will soon be heading to the U.K. to mark one year until the Invictus Games in Birmingham, and the Duke of Sussex is hoping to bring his kids Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet with him, pending his ongoing security issues. But once upon a time Harry was a young boy himself, and Princess Diana’s former butler, Paul Burrell, has shared a sweet story about the royal’s childhood—and how he differs from brother Prince William.

“My fondest memory of Harry is when he used to build snowmen in the gardens of Windsor and Highgrove with my boys,” Burrell, who shares sons Alexander and Nicholas with his ex-wife, Maria Cosgrove, shares.

Speaking on behalf of Casino.org, the former butler describes Prince Harry as being “a generous and sensitive boy,” recalling that the “kind” prince used to share his wealth with the boys.

“He would like nothing better than to give my boys a ‘Pink Granny’ or a ‘Blue Granny,’” Burrell says of Prince Harry, explaining that the nicknames were what Harry called bank notes since they featured Queen Elizabeth’s image on them.

“Now you’d prefer a pink granny, because that was a £50 note and that’s what he called it—it had his Granny’s face on it,” Burrell says. “So now if anyone ever offers you a pink or a blue granny, definitely take the pink granny.”

The Royal Insider author continues that Harry “used to give out notes to my boys so they could save for a PlayStation or something. He was very kind.” However, Burrell claims that Prince Harry’s big brother, Prince William, wasn’t quite as generous as his little brother.

“William wouldn’t have done that, because William would be saving his money for something important,” he shares.

Princess Diana tried to raise her boys as equals, but as the “spare,” Prince Harry was able to get away with more than the future King. Burrell notes the differences between the two as children, sharing, “I remember Harry riding his chopper bike through the estate at Highgrove, coming down to play football with my boys, and William arriving in his model Aston Martin car. Harry would have holes in his jeans, and William would be immaculately dressed.”

Like Queen Elizabeth before them, King Charles and Queen Camilla head to Edinburgh to take part in Royal Week each summer, and on Wednesday, July 1, they were joined by Prince William and Prince Edward for the Order of the Thistle service at St. Giles' Cathedral. But before the historic ceremony, King Charles hosted senior royals for a family dinner at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, as reported by the Daily Mail.

It was confirmed to the outlet that The King held a “dine and sleep” at the Palace of Holyroodhouse on Tuesday night with the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Princess Royal. The three royals spent the night at the palace ahead of the Order of the Thistle ceremony, which celebrates the greatest order of chivalry in Scotland.

The family gathering happened the night before what would have been Princess Diana’s 65th birthday, and just days before Prince Harry is due to visit the U.K. As the Daily Mail noted, “with the drama surrounding Prince Harry's potential arrival in the UK this weekend—with or without his family—dominating royal news, and the ongoing issue of disgraced Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, there would have been plenty for all to discuss.”

The Duke of Sussex is scheduled to travel to Britain with his wife, Meghan Markle, and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, for events related to the Invictus Games, but security concerns have potentially stalled a meeting with the children and their grandfather The King.

Although Prince Harry was offered a place to stay at a royal residence, fears about paparazzi following the children have reportedly caused the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to reassess bringing Lilibet and Archie. A spokesperson for Prince Harry stated that the royal "continues to explore every available option to enable the visit to proceed safely and to give his children the opportunity to enjoy the U.K."

Meanwhile, the former Duke of York made his first public appearance since his February arrest over the weekend, quietly slipping in to watch Duchess Sophie compete in the Sandringham Horse Driving Trials.

England will take on the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the World Cup on Wednesday, July 1, but don’t expect to see Prince William and his family in the crowds. Despite reports that the Prince and Princess of Wales were going to take on a U.S. visit for the July 4 holiday and attend a game, it’s understood that William and Kate don’t have any plans to cross the pond this summer, barring one major moment.

As patron of the Football Association and an avid fan of the sport, royal watchers expected to see the Prince of Wales supporting England during the World Cup this year. However, according to Charlotte Griffiths of the Daily Mail, President Donald Trump “didn’t invite him after all” for a July 4 trip.

Griffiths says what she’s been told instead is that “William wants to hunker down with the kids” after they get out of school in July. With Prince George heading to Eton College in September and Princess Charlotte exploring boarding school options, the journalist added that “it’s a really important summer for the Wales family.”

Rather than take a trip to the United States, the Prince of Wales is planning to spend time at his country home in Norfolk in addition to joining the Royal Family in Scotland. “He just really likes spending the summer with his children at Anmer Hall,” Griffiths said, adding that the Wales family also looks forward to their annual trip to the Balmoral estate.

There seems to be only one scenario that would make Prince William change his summer plans.“I think if England would get to the final, then I’d be very surprised if William didn’t attend,” Emily Nash of Hello! magazine told Page Six.

Griffiths also claimed that the Prince of Wales said he’d travel to the U.S. “if England gets into the final on July 19,” adding, “But somehow, I suspect Catherine doesn't need to worry because I just don’t think we’re going to get there.”

Prince Harry is scheduled to return to the U.K. in early July for the Invictus Games One Year to Go event, but a reunion with Prince William will likely not be on his schedule. The brothers are understood not to have spoken since Queen Elizabeth’s funeral in 2022, but when they were growing up, Princess Diana tried to raise them exactly the same. According to the late royal’s former butler, Paul Burrell, one decision was especially tough because of the implications it would have on her children.

The King (then Prince Charles) and Princess Diana announced their separation in 1992, and although they initially did not have plans to formally split, their divorce was finalized in 1996.

“Diana struggled with the divorce [from Prince Charles],” Burell says, speaking on behalf of Casino.org. “She didn’t want it; she wanted to stay in the Royal Family, and for her, her struggle was keeping her boys safe and keeping her position.”

The former butler adds that it was “difficult” for Diana “to accept that the boys would grow up differently,” adding, “There was no difference between them in her eyes.” Even if members of the royal household treated Prince William in a more preferential way than Harry, Diana insisted “the boys were always the same.”

Bringing both of her boys up “in a solid family unit” was a high priority for Princess Diana, according to Burrell. “That’s why she resisted the divorce, because she thought that fracture in the family would lead to problems and complications for her boys,” he says.

The former butler and author continues that although they grew up in a “similar world,” royal life wasn’t as easy for Prince Harry as it was for William. “It was a lot easier and plain sailing for William,” Burrell says. “His map was already made, and Harry’s wasn’t. So, it was a complicated relationship, but their childhood was the idyllic part of it.”

People around the world have been invited to share their memories of Queen Elizabeth in a digital memorial, and now Prince William has added his own personal memories to the website. The Prince of Wales posted a video filmed at Windsor Castle to QueenElizabeth.com, sharing that his grandmother was “completely at ease” when she was staying in Windsor.

“Whilst I had the privilege to know the late Queen better than most, some of my fondest memories of my grandmother are from here in Windsor,” Prince William shared.

The Prince of Wales’s eldest son, Prince George, will be heading to Eton College in September, and when William attended the boarding school, he often visited his grandparents at nearby Windsor Castle. He said that those “quiet” moments together stood out to him when thinking about the late Queen.

“I remember many a quiet afternoon, having tea with her and my grandfather at the castle, chatting, sharing stories, and seeing how completely at ease she was here, surrounded by family and her much-loved dogs and horses,” Prince William said in the video.

The future King said he was so influenced by those one-on-one moments that they sparked an appreciation for one British tradition. “To this day, she's given me a love of teatime that I never knew I needed,” he said.

The Prince of Wales also reflected on how the late Queen was able to truly be herself in Windsor as opposed to Buckingham Palace. “Watching her ride her horses in the Great Park, even well into her later years, showed a side of Granny the world didn't often see—off-duty, relaxed and utterly at home.”

He added, “These moments with my grandmother are ones I'll always hold dear."

Princess Kate tackled three mountains in 24 hours as she raised money and awareness for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, and although she dressed in rugged gear for the challenge, the future Queen kept her accessories royally on brand. The Princess of Wales, 44, climbed the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales between Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, June 28, and her jewelry sent a message about what matters most.

Wearing an olive green jacket by hunting brand Härkila with a Fjällräven baseball cap and hiking pants, the Princess of Wales “stripped everything back” for the challenge with “no occasion dressing,” says Nilesh Rakholia, engagement ring expert and founder of Abelini.

“And yet she kept her rings,” he adds. “That is not an accident. That is instinct, and instinct tells you everything.”

The Princess of Wales walked 23 miles and climbed 10,052 feet during the National Three Peaks Challenge, wearing her iconic sapphire and diamond engagement ring that originally belonged to Princess Diana.

“Catherine asked Diana's ring to sit beside her through cancer, through recovery, and now through one of the most physically and emotionally demanding things she has ever done publicly,” Rakholia says. “That tells you everything about where she finds her strength. Family. Always family.”

Although she’s been wearing a thick ring stack recently, including her Welsh gold wedding band, a sapphire and diamond ring, and two diamond bands, it appears that she wore just one diamond band along with her engagement ring in a photo shared by the princess on Instagram.

One of her diamond rings was given to Kate by Prince William after Prince George was born in 2013, and Rakholia notes, “That is not jewelry as adornment. That is jewelry as a talisman. She carried her family up every one of those peaks.”

Along with her rings, the Princess of Wales wore one of her favorite pairs of earrings from Welsh-based small business Spells of Love. The tiny gold hoops feature a dangling garnet charm, and royal and celebrity-favorite jeweler Logan Hollowell tells Marie Claire that Kate’s January birthstone “carries a deeply personal significance.”

“Garnet symbolizes strength, protection, and resilience, so seeing Princess Kate wear her birthstone during such a meaningful challenge feels especially fitting,” Hollowell says. “It's a beautiful reminder that jewelry can tell a story beyond its beauty.”

As for Kate's hiking challenge, she said that her own cancer journey inspired her to take on the climb. “Healing, whether personal or collective, is not just about fixing what is wrong. It is about finding balance in how we live,” she wrote on Instagram.

It was recently confirmed by the Royal Family that Prince George will be attending Eton College later this year. And according to one expert, Princess Kate and Prince William likely have some very normal concerns regarding their eldest son's education and his future.

Speaking to People, Melanie Sanderson, the managing editor of The Good Schools Guide, explained, "Eton has its own language—they call year groups different things."

She continued, "It's from a bygone era, but of course, when your dad has been through that system, it's probably been part of his vernacular for most of his life. As parents, you do talk about your school days, and your kids can relate to that. I'm confident that he will be very well prepared."

Sanderson also addressed Prince George's move from Lambrook School, where Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are also students.

"Lambrook is really used to sending boys off to Eton," Sanderson told the outlet. "It's a regular feeder for Eton College and lots of boys would have trodden that path before, so it's nothing new. It's a prep school, so its absolute purpose is to prepare its boys and girls for their next school."

Noting that George's parents might have some worries about their son's move to Eton, Sanderson shared, "I'm sure like any parents Catherine and William will be concerned that he's going to find his place, find the right kind of friends and thrive."

However, Sanderson also emphasized the fact that the culture has changed at Eton since Prince William attended, which is likely to benefit Prince George.

The expert explained to People, "30 years ago, boys were not encouraged to talk about their feelings and boarding schools were much harder places to be...Now there is such an emphasis on pastoral care and mental health."

Ultimately, it seems that Prince George has much to look forward to when he moves to Eton College.

Prince George is currently preparing to attend Eton College, his dad Prince William's alma mater. Ahead of his transfer to the elite school, the 12-year-old prince is taking on additional responsibilities within the Royal Family, which includes replacing his father at royal events.

On Saturday, June 27, the Prince and Princess of Wales's official Instagram account shared footage of Prince George accompanying his mom, Princess Kate, on a royal excursion. Per the caption, George and Kate were "honoring service and sacrifice" during the engagement, which took place at the Royal Air Force's Coningsby station.

"Marking Armed Forces Day by reflecting on time spent with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight at RAF Coningsby," the caption explained. "Learning about the extraordinary history of these aircraft and meeting the pilots and engineers who keep their legacy alive. A powerful reminder of the courage, skill, and dedication of those who serve, past and present. Thank you to all those who have served and continue to serve."

Prince George's special visit alongside his mother follows news of his acceptance at Eton College.

Earlier this week, Queen Elizabeth's former press secretary, Ailsa Anderson, told People, "Both William and Catherine carried out a lot of research to make the right decision."

Anderson continued, "[Prince] William loved his time at Eton, but he would have thought about what school would be the best for George's strengths, qualities, and personality."

Discussing the advantages of attending such a prestigious school, royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith told the outlet, "George will benefit from a group of friends who will remain close and loyal." Basically, Eton will likely prepare the young royal for his huge destiny.

And by accompanying Princess Kate on a surprise excursion, Prince George's future role as King comes into even sharper focus.

The Royal Family released its annual Sovereign Grant Report on June 25, and along with releasing The King’s tax bills for the first time in history, the palace confirmed that Buckingham Palace will no longer be used as a royal residence.

King Charles and Queen Camilla currently split their time between Clarence House and their respective country homes, Highgrove House and Ray Mill House, opting not to move into Buckingham Palace since their 2023 coronation. Prince William has also made it clear that his Windsor home, Forest Lodge, will be his “forever home” and he has no plans to move back to London when he’s King.

Instead of making Buckingham Palace his royal home, King Charles has chosen to “widen” access to the historic building, which has only been open to tourists on limited dates in the past. “His Majesty retains huge affection for Buckingham Palace and a deep respect for its role in royal and public life,” the report stated.

“It will remain a working home but we are seeking to widen public access precisely to maximise the national benefit of a publicly-funded building,” Buckingham Palace continued, adding that The King and Queen want to ensure there are “increased opportunities” for visitors to tour the building on a more regular basis to lessen the taxpayer burden.

The decision makes King Charles the first monarch not to live at the palace since Queen Victoria moved into the building in 1837. Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told GB News that “the optics are likely to raise eyebrows” with the public, especially given the $487 million renovation plan that has been in process at Buckingham Palace since 2017.

However, he added, “I don’t think it will change Buckingham Palace's importance if they don’t live there. It will still be 'Monarchy HQ'; it is an iconic building known throughout the world, and there will be much more public access.”

Prince William and Princess Kate’s relationship is admired not only by fans, but by those who work alongside them as well. It’s been 15 years since the two tied the knot during a splendid ceremony at Westminster Abbey. On that day, the future monarch handed over the reins to his then-private secretary Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton.

"I was petrified because he had said to me early on, 'You’re running it,’” the military veteran told the Times. Although he had nerves leading up to the big day, Lowther-Pinkerton now looks back at the day with admiration. He said, “The wedding was great."

The 2011 ceremony came towards the end of Lowther-Pinkerton’s time with the Royal Family. He worked as William and Prince Harry’s private secretary from 2005 to 2013. Through his position, he was able to witness the dynamic between William and Kate firsthand.

The veteran admitted the Princess of Wales is just as "amazing" as many believe her to be. He described her as a "really cool woman."

"He chose well," Lowther-Pinkerton added. "I think they’re great.”

Prince William and Princess Kate met in 2001 while they were both students at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. They initially bonded as friends while living in the same residence hall, St. Salvador’s. By their second year, the two had moved off campus into a cottage with two other friends. It wasn't until 2003 that their relationship turned romantic.

Over 20 years later, the Prince and Princess of Wales remain strong as ever living in Forest Lodge with their three children, Prince Louis, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, and two dogs, Orla and Otto.

During a recent appearance on “Heart Breakfast,” William said of Kate, “She is an amazing mom and amazing wife, and our family couldn't cope without her. She's been absolutely stunning.”

Prince Harry’s return to the U.K. is unlikely to be marked with a brotherly reunion. The Duke of Sussex will be making a trip across the pond next month to mark the one-year countdown until the 2027 Invictus Games. He is expected to be accompanied by Meghan Markle and their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Although the occasion will be a family affair, there seems to be no set plans for a reunion with his extended loved ones.

According to Dan Wakeford, the founder of Celebrity Intelligence, royal sources believe Harry shouldn’t expect "a complete reconciliation with the family” this time around. He told Fox News, “It's a slight thaw and a good beginning.”

Compared to other members of the Royal Family, Prince William and Princess Kate seem to have not budged. He said, "A William and Catherine meeting is incredibly unlikely…[Harry] is not going to be meeting William. I cannot see that happening at all.”

There have been speculations of a rift between the brothers since 2018. Tensions have seemed to intensify since Harry and Meghan stepped down as senior royals and moved to Montecito, California. It is believed the last time the two spoke to each other was briefly at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth in September 2022.

“The Wales household is completely bolted shut right now,” Wakeford continued. “[William's] stance has not changed, and they would not arrange to see Harry and Meghan outside an official public engagement. And I don't even think that is going to happen.”

While hopes for a William and Harry reunion are low, there seems to be a more of a chance for a meeting between the Duke of Sussex and his father King Charles.

"The King is the door that might open,” the expert shared. Prince Harry seems to be focused on that prospect, especially since he will be accompanied by his children. He said, “Harry reportedly wants Charles to spend time with Archie and Lilibet, and he's been pushing for that. And I think that will likely happen from talking to folks in and around this."

The battle of the boarding schools officially ended on June 16 when Kensington Palace announced that Prince George will attend Eton College this September. The soon-to-be 13-year-old will follow in the footsteps of his father, Prince William, and uncle, Prince Harry, with his choice—and although the all-boys boarding school will provide George with a world-class education, there are other advantages for the future King, too.

Speaking to People, Queen Elizabeth’s former press secretary Ailsa Anderson said that while many royal watchers expected Prince William and Princess Kate to keep all three of their children together, “Both William and Catherine carried out a lot of research to make the right decision.”

While Eton certainly has the experience in dealing with the public scrutiny and security challenges that come along with teaching an heir to the throne, the environment will also assure that George has a close-knit circle around him, just like his father.

The Prince of Wales met some of his close friends, like James Meade, at the prestigious boarding school, and royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith told People that in turn, “George will benefit from a group of friends who will remain close and loyal.”

With dozens of prime ministers coming out of Eton and a roughly $80,000-per-year price tag, Prince George will be surrounded by students who understand the discretion involved in being friends with the future King.

Eton College also has a geographic benefit in that its a short (and extremely scenic) walk over the bridge from Windsor Castle and just a 15-minute-drive from the Wales family home, Forest Lodge, making for easy weekend visits.

Anderson also pointed out that any school decision was taken with Prince George's wishes and personality in mind. “William loved his time at Eton, but he would have thought about what school would be the best for George’s strengths, qualities and personality,” she said.

At the end of the day, it was Prince George who saw Eton as the best choice for his future. “George has always wanted to follow in his dad’s footsteps," a source close to the Wales family told People.

It was finally announced that Prince George will be heading to Eton College in September, and as the soon-to-be teenager grows up, he has one trusted friend of the Royal Family (and Old Etonian) in his corner. Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton worked as the principal private secretary to Prince William and Prince Harry from 2005 to 2013, and he was so beloved by the Prince and Princess of Wales that he was named as one of Prince George’s godparents. In a new interview with the Times, Lowther-Pinkerton shared some memories of his time with the royals—and one special assignment with Prince George.

Although he retired from royal service ahead of George’s July 2013 birth, Lowther-Pinkerton said he was “hauled out of retirement to be the herder of cats” for King Charles’s 2023 coronation.

The cats in question? Prince George and his fellow coronation pages, including Queen Camilla’s twin grandsons, Gus and Louis Lopes, her eldest grandson, Freddy Parker Bowles, and her great nephew, Arthur Elliot, among family friends and cousins of The King.

“We spent a week together,” Lowther-Pinkerton, known as "JLP" to the royals, told the outlet. “We had such fun because we had to do our business, but then we went and looked at the Imperial War Museum. They were charming boys, all of them, really charming. So well behaved, totally different from what I was like, you know. I’ve been sort of a scallywag.”

The former royal aide and SAS soldier was tasked with everything from managing the military careers of both Prince William and Prince Harry to helping plan William and Kate's 2011 wedding. As a trusted friend to the Royal Family, he didn't have much to say when asked about the rift between the brothers.

“Do you know what?” he said. “I think I’d better steer clear of that Harry issue.” However, Lowther-Pinkerton added, “What I would say is that I was and am very fond of him. He has huge redeeming features and I’m a perennial optimist.”

Now that George is about to turn 13, Lowther-Pinkerton says he's “going to be a better godfather.”

“It sounds awful,” Lowther-Pinkerton shared. “But I’m a better godfather when it comes time to have a bit of fun. I’ve got other godchildren and I have huge fun with them when they reach a certain point, so hopefully that’ll be the time when JLP comes out of the chrysalis.”