Despite speculation that King Charles III may not fully approve of how his son and daughter-in-law, Prince William and Princess Catherine, are raising his eldest grandchild, it’s clear that the Prince and Princess of Wales are committed to parenting in their own way. Prince George is growing up with the knowledge that one day he will ascend to the throne, but for now, much of his life resembles that of someone in the upper-middle class, with a significant amount of time spent with the Middleton family.
As he matures, George’s parents are focused on keeping him grounded while guiding him through the complexities of royal life. He regularly attends major royal events, such as Trooping the Colour and the coronation, and is gradually being introduced to the public eye. Although he has sometimes appeared a bit stiff and formal in his suit and tie at these events, recent photos taken to mark his 11th birthday reveal a more relaxed and comfortable boy who is clearly maturing rapidly.
Prince William has been actively involving George in social settings, taking him to football matches, while Princess Catherine has taken him to Wimbledon. Beyond enjoying the sport, these experiences allow George to meet people from all walks of life, helping him build confidence. Thanks to William’s careful, hands-on approach, George has transformed from a shy little boy into a more confident, responsible, and joyful 11-year-old.
One notable aspect of how William and Catherine are preparing George for his future role as King is by not overwhelming him with royal duties. They are committed to giving George, along with his siblings, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, as normal an upbringing as possible. This approach contrasts with King Charles' childhood, where he was constantly reminded of his future responsibilities. Charles has spoken openly about the dreadful moment when, as a child, he realized he would one day be King—a realization that shocked and burdened him.
Determined to avoid this for George, William and Catherine are allowing their son to grow up without the weight of future expectations. They are also keen for him to make his own decisions when the time comes, a stark contrast to King Charles' upbringing, which was carefully mapped out by a committee of politicians, courtiers, and advisers. Everything from Charles' schooling to his military service and travels within the Commonwealth was decided for him. In contrast, George’s path will be more self-directed, with William and Catherine providing him the tools to choose his own direction, rather than forcing him into responsibilities he may not want.
One of George's biggest supporters in this journey is his sister, Princess Charlotte. Royal experts suggest that Charlotte will play a key role as George’s ally, drawing comparisons to the strong relationship between Princess Anne and King Charles. The close bond between George and Charlotte is evident, as they often participate in royal duties together. When George carried out his first official engagement during the Jubilee weekend, visiting Cardiff, their parents made sure Charlotte was by his side, echoing the dynamic William had with Prince Harry as they grew up.
There’s also speculation that Princess Anne has taken Charlotte under her wing, offering the young royal invaluable advice about navigating her role in the family. Like Charlotte, Anne grew up with an older brother destined to be King, and her support has been essential to King Charles over the years. As a result, Anne is perfectly placed to guide Charlotte, ensuring she is well-prepared for her future. Their conversations reportedly range from topics like women’s football and horses to ballet, fashion, and manners. Princess Anne’s mentorship is said to be helping "foolproof" Charlotte into becoming the perfect princess and a reliable support for her older brother.
In the coming years, royal watchers anticipate seeing more of this sibling teamwork between George and Charlotte, much like the partnership between William and Harry before them.
