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The Prince and Princess of Wales’s children typically join the royal family for a handful of public appearances every year, as William and Catherine remain committed to giving George, Louis, and Charlotte a relatively normal upbringing.
However, the itinerary for Prince George, 12, looked slightly different this year with their eldest undertaking three additional high-profile engagements without his siblings – and demonstrated a new confidence in the spotlight.
From his ‘delightful surprise’ attendance at the VE Day tea party at Buckingham Palace to his festive visit to a homelessness charity, these events suggest Prince George is ‘being well prepared for his unique royal role’ by his parents.
According to expert Richard Fitzwilliams, George is making more appearances at events of ‘particular significance’ in a bid to acclimatise the future heir to the throne to all the attention without overwhelming him.
‘From the beginning, William and Catherine have prioritised privacy,’ Mr Fitzwilliams told The Daily Mail. ‘As George gets older, he is making more appearances at events of particular significance, especially those with links to the armed forces and sport.’
Weeks before his 12th birthday, George accompanied William and Catherine to a Buckingham Palace tea party for World War II veterans to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day this year.
The young prince, who was dressed in a smart suit and tie, was seen listening attentively to their stories and exuded a ‘quiet confidence’, according to Mr Fitzwilliams.
From his ‘delightful surprise’ attendance at the VE Day tea party at Buckingham Palac eto his festive visit to a homelessness charity (above), three high-profile engagements revealed how Prince George is ‘being well prepared for his unique royal role’ by his parents. The young prince is seen here during a visit to The Passage in central London with Prince William (far left)
Weeks before his 12th birthday, George accompanied William and Catherine to a Buckingham Palace tea party for World War IIveterans to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day this year
George, who is second in line to the throne, is believed to have impressed the party with his inquisitiveness and respect while displaying a maturity far beyond his years.
‘You should be very proud,’ D-Day hero Alfred Littlefield, 101, told Prince William of his son after their conversation.
Mr Fitzwilliams said it was a ‘wonderful idea’ for William and Catherine to bring George to the tea party, where he was ‘clearly fascinated by the stories he heard’.
‘As future king, he will undoubtedly see service in the armed forces,’ he continued.
‘Privately, his parents will have schooled him to be a part of the military tradition, which goes back hundreds of years. Queen Elizabeth famously said, “I must be seen to be believed”, and an appearance on certain state occasions by George is now expected.’
This year also marked Prince George’s debut at the Festival of Remembrance at Royal Albert Hall alongside his mother and grandfather, King Charles.
Poignant images showed George sitting in the front row of the Royal Box with Catherine, Charles and Queen Camilla as well as the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.
Royal watchers praised the future King as he followed Catherine’s lead, watching the proceedings intently, while standing in for William – who was away in Brazil for his annual Earthshot Prize at the time.
The prince, who was dressed in a smart suit and tie, was seen listening attentively to their stories while posing for photographs as George exuded a ‘quiet confidence’
This year also marked Prince George’s debut at the Festival of Remembrance at Royal Albert Hall alongside his mother and grandfather, King Charles (not pictured)
The effect of George walking in step with the Princess of Wales for such an important engagement was profound.
One Instagram user wrote: ‘And so young Prince George arises. Stepping in for his father. Well done, young sir.’
Another comment read: ‘How wonderful to see George at such a wonderful occasion. He is growing up into a lovely young man, being gently guided by his lovely Mum and Dad.’
‘Incredible to see the little Prince George attend such an important night!’ one person added, while yet another noted George is already ‘so royal in his mannerisms’ despite his young age.
One fan added it seemed like William and Catherine are ‘teaching Prince George well for his future as King someday’.
Part of this has meant bringing George into ‘William’s world’ by sharing the causes closest to his heart.
As the year drew to a close, William introduced staff at The Passage to George – 32 years after he accompanied his mother, the late Princess Diana, to the same homelessness charity in a full-circle moment.
When George signed his name in the visitor’s book, just under Diana and William’s names, a piece of modern royal history was etched – and its significance was not lost on him.
Reflecting on what has been a significant year for the young boy who will, one day, become King, royal expert Ingrid Seward suggested William might be willing to give George a ‘taste’ of his future lie ‘but not the full meal’ yet
‘Wow. Ok,’ the awe-struck prince said, in a sweet reaction to seeing his grandmother’s name in the book.
George followed in his father’s footsteps as he helped prepare Christmas lunches for the homeless, like William did when he accompanied Diana to the shelter in 1993.
The chief executive of The Passage, of which William is a patron, Mick Clarke said George got ‘stuck in’ to the various tasks of prepping their annual Christmas lunch, including creating care packages for those who couldn’t attend.
Mr Clarke said there was ‘lots of banter’ as William prepared the sprouts, while George helped with the Yorkshire puddings.
‘It just shows how relaxed William is,’ he added. ‘But it also shows how relaxed George was. He clearly felt very comfortable and really enjoyed getting involved.’
Reflecting on what has been a significant year for the young boy who will, one day, become King, royal expert Ingrid Seward suggested William might be willing to give George a ‘taste’ of his future lie ‘but not the full meal’ yet.
The editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine told The Telegraph: ‘I remember [the Princess of Wales] once saying that they always discuss these appearances with George, that he is never pushed.
‘William is doing what he can to get him to look at the world in a certain way, but you can see how good George was with those old soldiers – he wants to do all these things. And William is happy for him to have a taste of it, but not the full meal.’
And with George set to begin secondary school next September, ‘the kindest thing’ his parents can do is ‘let him be a teenager’, according to Christopher Wilson.
There is enough time for George to grow into his ‘unique role’.
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