Why Catherine, Princess of Wales and Prince William kept Prince George’s 'destiny' a secret from him.
Prince George will be king someday, but his royal parent, Prince William and Kate Middleton, tried no longer to make a massive deal of it at first.
Royal creator Robert Lacey advised People Magazine that notwithstanding his royal “destiny,” the 12-year-old “really has had a length of a regular childhood.”
Lacey continued, "William intentionally delayed this information till the ultimate viable moment. It suggests extraordinary care and thoughtfulness — it additionally tells us some thing about how William felt about the weight of the crown.”
Reportedly, Prince George was once made conscious of his future prospect of turning into king round the time her was once 7 years old.
Royal biographer Robert Hardman additionally said, "William takes his position as father of the future King as severely as he takes his function as future King. That’s key. His overarching precedence is making positive they experience it as an alternative than worry it."
Prince George is 2d in line for the throne after his father. The professionals say that whilst his grandfather, King Charles III, continues to bear cure for an undisclosed shape of cancer, the future is a subject matter of discussion.
But they additionally trust that Prince William would lengthen making his eldest son the Prince of Wales title he currently holds.
"They would favor him to focal point on having freedom earlier than giving him any royal titles,” a supply advised People.
Lacey added, "I think about that when William talks to George about matters like this, he makes use of phrases like 'destiny' as a substitute than ‘duty.’ ‘Duty’ has a experience of being trapped; ‘destiny’ has a experience of choice.”
Prince George, the eldest son of Prince William and Kate Middleton (now the Prince and Princess of Wales), is second in line to the British throne after his father, making him destined to become king one day. Despite this predetermined royal path—often referred to as his “destiny”—William and Kate deliberately delayed informing him of the full implications until he was around 7 years old, reportedly in the summer of 2020. This decision was rooted in their commitment to providing him with as normal a childhood as possible, shielding him from the immense pressures of his future role early on.
Key Reasons for the Delay.
William and Kate’s approach stems from a desire to prioritize George’s emotional well-being and personal development over royal expectations. Drawing from William’s own experiences growing up under intense public scrutiny as a future king—experiences he has described as overwhelming—they aimed to avoid a similar “haphazard” introduction to his fate. Royal author Robert Lacey, in his book Battle of Brothers and interviews with People magazine, explains that William “deliberately delayed this news until the last possible moment,” viewing it as an act of “special care and thoughtfulness.” This delay allowed George to enjoy a “period of a normal childhood,” free from the “weight of the crown” that William felt burdened him from a young age.
- Protecting Normalcy and Privacy: The couple has consistently emphasized giving their children a grounded upbringing, including enrolling all three siblings—George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—in the same local school (Lambrook in Berkshire) and relocating to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor for a more private family life. Sources close to the family, as reported in People and InStyle, note that William and Kate wanted George to focus on typical childhood activities like sports, school, and playtime without the immediate shadow of monarchy. Royal biographer Robert Hardman adds that William takes his role as “father of the future king as seriously as he takes his role as future king,” ensuring the children “enjoy it rather than fear it.” By waiting until George was mature enough to process the information (around age 7), they controlled the timing, making it a “controlled moment of their choice” rather than an abrupt revelation.
- Avoiding the Sense of Entrapment: William is sensitive to how royal duty can feel like a trap, influenced by his parents’ tumultuous marriage and the media frenzy surrounding his youth. Instead of framing it as obligatory “duty,” Lacey suggests William uses the word “destiny” when discussing it with George, implying a sense of choice and purpose rather than inevitability. This linguistic choice helps mitigate the psychological burden, allowing George to approach his future with positivity. A palace insider told People that even now, at age 12 (as of July 2025), the family wants him to have “freedom before giving him any royal titles,” such as potentially delaying the Prince of Wales title if circumstances like King Charles III’s health evolve.
- Modern Parenting and Gradual Preparation: Unlike previous generations, where heirs like young Elizabeth II were thrust into awareness early (she was 10 when she learned of her destiny during a trip to Africa), William and Kate are adopting a “modern way” of raising the children together, as noted by royal commentator Sally Bedell Smith. They’ve included Charlotte in discussions about George’s role to foster sibling support, echoing William’s bond with Prince Harry. George is being gradually prepared through low-key experiences, such as attending football matches with William, taking flying lessons, or participating in family outings like the 2025 VE Day commemorations, where he interacted with WWII veterans. These moments build confidence without overwhelming him, ensuring he “does the right things at the right moment, as any 12-year-old would.”
This strategy has allowed George to thrive as a “proper 12-year-old,” enjoying hobbies like football and rugby while slowly dipping into royal life. As he approaches secondary school (potentially Eton, like his father), the family continues to balance normalcy with preparation, reflecting William and Kate’s overarching priority: equipping George with the tools to embrace his destiny on his own terms.
Tags: Queen, Prince Charles, Camilla, Prince Louis, Prince William and Kate Middleton, Prince Charles, Prince Harry, Meghan, Lilibet
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