Prince George may only be 12 years old, but as second in line to the throne he already carries the weight of a future destiny he can’t escape. Behind the scenes, Prince William and Princess Kate are said to be carefully planning how to guide their eldest child into public life without overwhelming him too soon.

Royal author Katie Nicholl told The Mirror that William, 43, is acutely aware “the public need to fall in love with George as a youngster.” She added that the Prince of Wales knows “he can’t be kept under lock and key and only introduced when he’s 18.”

George’s Growing Role

So far, George and his younger siblings, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, six, have largely been shielded from the limelight. They are usually seen at major annual events such as King Charles’ official birthday parade, Trooping the Colour, and the royal family’s Christmas Day church service.

George and Charlotte have also joined their mother at her annual carol concert and have occasionally appeared at sporting events — from cheering England’s national football team to watching Wimbledon matches. George in particular is thought to be following in his father’s footsteps by supporting Aston Villa.

Aside from these appearances, most of George’s moments in the public eye have been linked to significant milestones: King Charles’ coronation in 2023, and more recently the 80th anniversary commemorations of VE Day. This May, he also attended his first solo engagement alongside his parents, meeting World War II veterans at a special tea. It’s expected that similar carefully chosen events will become more frequent as he grows older.

“William doesn’t want George to have the same level of exposure he and Prince Harry had as kids,” Nicholl explained. “So it has to be done very carefully.”