This year has brought several surprising revelations about the royal family. For starters, it turns out that Prince William is a fan of Taylor Swift. Prince Louis’s dance moves have also earned him a spot on "Strictly Come Dancing." But the latest news to capture attention is the new photo shared by the Prince and Princess of Wales to mark Prince George's 11th birthday.
The black-and-white snapshot, posted on William and Catherine's official Instagram account, shows the young prince beaming with a radiant smile. This heartwarming image has charmed royal fans around the globe. However, some sharp-eyed followers noticed a small but significant detail: the picture on the couple's main feed was a slightly cropped version of the original photo, which omitted George’s hands. The full version, which was shared on their Instagram Stories, reveals that Prince George is wearing a friendship bracelet on his left wrist.
Although the bracelet’s color isn't visible in the monochrome photo, sources close to the royal family have confirmed that it’s a heartfelt gift from his younger sister, Princess Charlotte. This bracelet is identical to one Princess Charlotte wore when she attended the Wimbledon Men's Final with her mother and Aunt Pippa Middleton on July 14.
The trend of exchanging braided bracelets among the royal family was first noted when King Charles was seen wearing a similar bracelet during his trip to Wales with Queen Camilla on July 11. He was spotted with it again during his visit to the Channel Islands of Jersey and Guernsey on July 15 and 16. Previously, King Charles subtly honored his grandchildren through his wardrobe, such as a pink and blue dinosaur tie that is believed to be a Christmas gift from one of them. The king first wore this tie to church in January 2023 and again in late April when he returned to public duties following his cancer diagnosis announcement.
The speculation that the bracelet could be a souvenir from Prince George’s visit to Taylor Swift’s concert in London is intriguing. The royal family enjoyed a backstage meet-and-greet with the singer, and a video of Prince William dancing to "Shake It Off" was shared with the world. Taylor Swift’s fandom, known for exchanging friendship bracelets, might have influenced this royal gesture. The trend began with Swift’s song "You're On Your Own, Kid" from her album *Midnights*, which encouraged fans to make and swap bracelets at her concerts.
Whether this hints at King Charles’s secret Swiftie status or a deeply affectionate relationship with his grandchildren remains to be seen. What is clear is that King Charles has a close bond with Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. A royal source shared that William and Catherine’s children affectionately call Charles "Grandpa Wales." The king is reportedly dedicated to guiding his grandchildren and ensuring they grow up with a sense of normalcy, emotional confidence, and the freedom to make their own choices in life.
Looking ahead, King Charles and Queen Camilla will be joined by other members of the royal family for a summer holiday in Balmoral next month. William, Catherine, and their three children will be there along with Princess Anne and her husband, Timothy Laurence. According to a well-placed source, the royal family will head to Balmoral after the castle closes to the public on August 4. The mid-August schedule is anticipated to be busy, with some family members possibly attending a shooting event on August 12.
