As Prince George turns 13 on Wednesday, he stands on the threshold of greater independence. The years ahead will bring more freedom, new friendships and a growing understanding of the extraordinary role that awaits him.
But behind every carefully considered step lies William and Catherine’s determination to give their eldest son an upbringing rooted in stable family life, something that William himself did not always have as a child.
So as George prepares for his big move, his parents are striking a careful balance – gradually introducing him to duty and responsibility while protecting the ordinary experiences that have defined his childhood.
After a series of endings at Lambrook – a last sports day, a formal leavers’ ball and a final Speech Day – he is enjoying a long summer break before a new chapter begins at Eton in September.
He spent four happy years at the Berkshire prep school, including boarding there part-time to help him get used to being away from home. His interest in sport, music and art flourished – he played bass guitar in a band and competed in football, hockey and triathlons, all while under the same roof as his siblings Charlotte and Louis.
Eton was both the most predictable choice and one that surprised some royal watchers. Given William and Catherine’s modernising approach and instinctive desire for their children to experience an ordinary life beyond Palace walls, some may have expected George to break with tradition. Ultimately, however, the school’s world-class reputation, its tried-and-tested experience of providing security and George’s own wishes will have been central to their decision.
Some of the friendships he made at Lambrook will continue at his new school, providing familiar faces as he settles in, while offering him the chance to build a tight-knit, trusted circle, in the way his parents did before him.
A boarder, but still close to home
In an all-boys environment and with very limited use of screens – Eton provides pupils with “brick” phones for use outside school hours, plus an iPad with age-appropriate controls to support their learning – George will continue to live by his parents’ values.
He will also experience increased freedom, including the opportunity to walk into the high street or over the bridge to Windsor and hang out with friends.
It will be a significant change for a boy whose life has always been carefully protected and closely centred on his family.
But even as he moves into a more grown-up world, he will never be far from the comfort and connection of home. “The fact that his family are so close by and he knows the area will help him to feel at home there,” says Ingrid Seward, author of the forthcoming book Catherine & Diana.
A family-orientated upbringing
George’s childhood has been light years from that of his father, who spent his teenage years shuttling between his parents’ separate homes and boarding school amid their strained relationship. His experiences have naturally shaped the decisions he has made for his own family.
“William’s parents were at war with each other and he witnessed a lot of that,” says Robert Jobson, author of The Windsor Legacy. “George’s upbringing has been very family orientated, and he’s got lots of people supporting him. He’s going there in quite a warm, confident space.”
© WireImageWith Catherine, William has created the secure and affectionate home life he wanted for his own children. That bond has only strengthened over the past few years following Catherine’s cancer diagnosis.
The blueprint for his home life owes more to the Middleton model than the traditional Windsor one: quality time spent together, a strong relationship with his sister and brother that his parents hope will last a lifetime, and endless affection.
The images of the Wales family, joined by Michael, Carole and James Middleton, at the foot of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) last month, offered a rare glimpse of that close-knit family dynamic.
© The Prince and Princess of Wales“The Middletons are hugely influential,” says Robert. “I think Carole in particular as someone who has been there for them throughout all of the challenges, especially when Catherine was ill. She’s a very strong woman and a really important figure in George’s life.”
At 13, George’s future may already be mapped out, but William and Catherine remain determined that he should reach it gradually, rooted in the secure family life they have created, supported by his friendships, and allowed, for as long as possible, to simply be himself.
For the full story on Prince George, pick up next week’s issue of HELLO! out on Monday, or become a VIP member to read the magazine digitally before it hits newsstands.
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