Prince George’s adorable meeting with former U.S. President Barack Obama back in 2016. This charming revelation comes from Jason Knauf, who spent seven years as one of Prince William’s closest advisers and served as the communications secretary for the Prince and Princess of Wales. If anyone knows the inner workings of the Wales household, it’s him.
The story goes that little Prince George, just two years old at the time, was given special permission to stay up past his bedtime for a very important diplomatic meeting. And not just any meeting—a face-to-face encounter with President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. Can you imagine? There he was, this tiny future king, in his adorable checkered pajamas and monogrammed bathrobe (quintessentially British, of course), shaking hands with one of the most powerful men in the world.
The photographs released by Kensington Palace captured this magical moment perfectly. Little George confidently shook the president’s hand while Obama crouched down to his level, showing genuine respect for the tiny royal. Then there’s the heartwarming image of George playing on his rocking horse—a special gift from the Obamas that featured the presidential seal on the saddle. Talk about a diplomatic gift that hit the mark perfectly!
Jason Knauf shared this beautiful anecdote on a special episode of 60 Minutes Australia, saying, “It was slightly before his bedtime. They’re like, ‘Well, it would be nice to have this memory of him saying hello to this historic president.’” He went on to describe how afterward, they walked out into the courtyard at Kensington Palace, and “the Beast”—the presidential limousine—was there. George was looking at it like he had never seen anything like it.
Can we just take a moment to appreciate how utterly charming this whole scene is? A little prince in his pajamas, wide-eyed at the presidential limousine, having just met the president of the United States—it’s the stuff of storybooks. This moment shows something so fundamental about how William and Catherine are raising their children: with a perfect balance of royal duty and normal childhood experiences.
President Obama himself was clearly enchanted by young George, describing him as “adorable.” In fact, during his last speech at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Obama jokingly accused George of breaching protocol. He light-heartedly said that being greeted by George in his pajamas and bathrobe was somewhat akin to his political opponents no longer answering his phone calls—a playful suggestion that people were already preparing for the end of his presidency. Such good-natured humor from a world leader about a toddler prince!
This wasn’t just a cute photo op, though the images are undeniably adorable. This was diplomatic relations at their finest. The Wales family, even with their very young children, understands the importance of fostering strong connections between the UK and America. William and Catherine recognized the historical significance of the Obama presidency and wanted their son to have that memory—that connection to history. That’s preparation for kingship in the most natural, organic way.
And where was Princess Charlotte during all this excitement? Kensington Palace confirmed she was fast asleep. Unlike some royal parents we could mention, William and Catherine prioritized their children’s routines and well-being over publicity opportunities. They didn’t drag a baby out of bed just to complete the family picture for the cameras. They let her sleep, as any sensible parents would.
During that April 2016 visit, the Obamas also met Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, as well as then-Prime Minister David Cameron. The president even played golf with Cameron and visited Shakespeare’s Globe. That’s how a state visit should be—a meaningful mix of formal diplomacy, cultural appreciation, and personal connections.
Now, I can just imagine how a certain former actress in Montecito must be absolutely seething with jealousy over this resurfaced story. Can’t you picture Meghan Markle pulling her hair out in frustration? Here we have proof positive of the genuine warmth and respect that exists between the real working royals and American leaders—the kind of authentic relationship that she and her husband can only dream about.
Think about it: while William and Catherine were hosting the president of the United States at Kensington Palace, creating meaningful memories for their son with a true world leader, what has Meghan achieved? Endless podcasts that nobody listens to, Netflix documentaries that bomb in the ratings, and desperate attempts to position herself as some kind of feminist icon while using her royal title to open doors. It’s pathetic when you compare the two approaches.
And let’s talk about children for a moment. Here we have beautiful, clear photographs of Prince George meeting President Obama—authenticated, verified, and released through official royal channels. Meanwhile, has anyone actually seen clear, verified images of Archie and Lilibet recently? Do we even know if these children truly exist in the way they’re presented to us? The Sussex children are like ghosts—occasionally mentioned, rarely seen, and when they do appear, it’s typically in carefully controlled, heavily filtered images that raise more questions than they answer.
I’m not saying anything definitive here, but it’s certainly curious how these children are kept hidden away—especially for a couple who claim to want privacy but seem to splash their own faces across every available medium. It’s almost as if they’re using these children as props in their narrative rather than allowing them to have any kind of normal relationship with their royal relatives or the public.
The contrast couldn’t be more stark. William and Catherine understand the delicate balance between public duty and private life. They share appropriate glimpses of their children on important occasions—birthdays, Christmas, special events—while fiercely protecting their day-to-day privacy. They’re raising a future king and his siblings with a clear understanding of duty, service, and what it means to be royal.
Meanwhile, Harry and Meghan hide their children away entirely while paradoxically using them as leverage in their publicity games and grievance narratives. This story about George’s meeting with Obama also highlights something else: the genuine respect that world leaders have for the British royal family. Barack Obama, representing a country that rejected monarchy nearly 250 years ago, still understood the historical importance and diplomatic significance of the British royal family. He showed genuine warmth and respect, crouching down to George’s level and engaging with him as a person rather than just a photo opportunity.
Compare that to the way Harry and Meghan seem to view their royal connections—as a brand to be monetized, as a springboard for their celebrity ambitions, as something to be continuously mined for grievances and complaints. They’ve taken the ancient institution that has served this country for over a thousand years and reduced it to fodder for streaming services, ghostwritten memoirs, and endless drama.
And what about their reception in America? This story proves what we’ve long suspected: Americans absolutely adore William, Catherine, and their beautiful children. They respect authenticity, duty, and the genuine article. The Obamas didn’t meet with the Wales family for publicity or to advance their own agenda. They met as representatives of their respective nations, building meaningful connections.
Meanwhile, Harry and Meghan are increasingly irrelevant in the American landscape. Their Netflix deal is producing diminishing returns, their Spotify partnership imploded spectacularly, and their public appearances seem increasingly desperate. They’re not embraced as American royalty; they’re viewed as B-list celebrities at best, hanging on to titles from an institution they claim oppressed them.
Let’s be honest here: Americans are smart enough to see through the facade. They recognize the difference between working royals who dedicate their lives to service and exiled complainers who dedicate their lives to grievance. That’s why William and Catherine would be welcomed with open arms if they embarked on a tour of the U.S. tomorrow, while Harry and Meghan struggle to maintain relevance in their adopted home.
The timing of this resurfaced story is particularly delicious, given Catherine’s recent health challenges. Throughout her cancer treatment, she has maintained such dignity and grace, keeping her privacy while still acknowledging the public’s concern. William has been the epitome of a supportive husband, balancing his royal duties with being there for his wife and children during this difficult time.
Jason Knauf mentioned in that same 60 Minutes interview how William reacted to Catherine’s cancer diagnosis with strength, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to protecting his family while fulfilling his duties. That’s real love, real partnership, real dedication—not the performative handholding and constant interrupting that we see from Harry and Meghan.
And speaking of health challenges, let’s not forget King Charles, who has also been battling cancer with such fortitude and dedication to duty. Despite his diagnosis, he’s continued to work, to serve, to represent the nation with dignity and commitment. Queen Camilla has been his rock throughout this ordeal, stepping up magnificently to support both her husband and the institution.
That’s what real royalty looks like: service despite personal difficulties, duty above self-interest, quiet dignity rather than noisy complaints. The contrast with the Sussexes couldn’t be more stark. While the working royals soldier on through genuine health crises, Harry and Meghan manufacture grievances from their California mansion, perpetually casting themselves as victims while enjoying every privilege imaginable.
I wonder if Harry ever looks at stories like this—George’s Obama meeting—and feels a pang of regret for what he’s thrown away. He could have been part of these historic moments, helping to guide his nephew as he grows into his future role, standing alongside his brother as a trusted adviser and supporter. Instead, he’s reduced to making awkward appearances at random events, desperately trying to maintain some semblance of relevance on the global stage.
And Meghan—can you imagine how it must burn her to see how genuinely beloved Catherine is in America? To know that, despite all her Hollywood connections and PR machinations, she could never arrange the kind of meaningful diplomatic meetings that come naturally to the working royals? No wonder she’s probably pulling her hair out in jealousy.
This story about George and Obama represents everything the Sussexes can never achieve: genuine diplomatic relationships, authentic warmth between nations, and the meaningful preparation of the next generation for their future roles. No amount of Netflix documentaries or Oprah interviews can manufacture that kind of legitimacy.
