Prince William and Kate Middleton educated their eldest son, Prince George, on his seventh birthday about the huge responsibility of the British throne that lies in his future.
Prince George, the great-grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II, is third in the line of succession to the British throne after his grandfather Prince Charles and father Prince William.
Royal author Robert Lacey’s updated version of his book Battle of Brothers writes that Prince George’s parents, Prince William and Kate Middleton, wanted to talk to their eldest son about his future role at a “controlled moment of their choice”.
The couple would also like Prince George to be aware that his life will be different from his other two siblings: Princess Charlotte, 5, and Prince Louis, 3.
It’s not known exactly when William decided to tell George he is going to be king, but it’s thought to be around the time of his seventh birthday last year. The little prince will turn eight on July 22.
The Mirror reports William had explained to BBC royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell that “there’ll be a time and a place to bring George up and understand how he fits in in the world”.
“Right now it’s just a case of keeping a secure, stable environment around him and showing as much love as I can as a father,” William said. “I want to bring my children up as good people with the idea of service and duty to others.”
Prince George appeared in a photo in December 2019 alongside the Queen, heir Prince Charles and Prince William, who is second in line.
“The prince had been placed on a rep-carpeted step in order to bring him up closer to the level of his great-grandmother,” Robert Lacey said. “What a fascinating and historic image to remind us of the essence of the royal system!”
“The current monarch with three future monarchs. All the living heirs – and not a suggestion of a “spare”.
According to sources, the photograph taken in the Buckingham Palace Throne Room a week before Christmas 2019, was the idea of Prince Charles, who wanted it to promote his plans of a “slimmed-down monarchy”.
In 2020, royal expert and bestselling author Katie Nicholl spoke with UK’s OK! Magazine about how George is often singled out.
Going on to add he often “gets taken away” from his sister and brother to spend time with Prince William, Prince Charles, and The Queen. And that the idea of one day becoming a monarch, is being introduced to him at a gradual rate.
She also added that Prince William and Kate treat their children equally and aren’t raising George to be spoilt or get special treatment.
She claimed that as a child, William struggled to accept that he had “no choice about which path his life would take,” so he’s doing what he can to avoid putting a similar stressor on George.
Prince Harry follows his niece and nephews as he is sixth in line to the throne and his two children, who he shares with Meghan Markle, are next.
Archie, 2, is seventh in the line of succession, while Harry and Meghan’s daughter Lilibet, born last month, is the newest addition and eighth in line.