Sophia Michaels
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Prince George of Wales was born on July 22, 2013, in an event celebrated with grandeur typical of a future monarch. The media gathered eagerly outside St. Mary’s Hospital to cover every detail, from the appearance of his mother to the craftsmanship of the blanket he was first wrapped in, made by G.H. Hurt & Son.
Kate Middleton, once dubbed “Waity Katie” during her courtship with William, used this opportunity for some light-hearted payback against the press. Although she was overdue, their son’s arrival was met with a frenzy of cameras. On the “Happy Mum, Happy Baby” podcast, Kate reflected on how overwhelming the moment felt: “Slightly terrifying, slightly terrifying, I’m not going to lie,” she admitted.
Choosing his full name, George Alexander Louis, was a challenge for Kate; his first name honors Queen Elizabeth II’s father. Prince William commented shortly after George’s birth, describing him as “a little fighter,” which proved true when he participated in royal engagements abroad soon after.
Prince George met a bilby during his first royal tour
In 2014, while his parents enjoyed a vacation in the Maldives, Prince George achieved a significant developmental milestone: his first crawl at eight months old. When Catherine and William traveled to Australia and New Zealand for royal duties weeks later, they brought George along to ensure they didn’t miss any more important moments.
During their tour, Prince George visited Taronga Zoo in Sydney, where he met a bilby named in his honor. Kate expressed concern when the curious marsupial got too close to George, warning that his grip was surprisingly strong. William humorously noted, “If he gets it he’ll never let go.”
George also enjoyed a playful gathering with other babies in New Zealand, showcasing his friendly personality. An observer noted, “George is bubbly, quite feisty and took control… no one was going to stand in his way!”
Becoming a big brother and riding his first pony
In a conversation with travel advisor Claudia Gordon in 2015, Kate shared that Prince George was excited to welcome a younger sibling. George even humorously demonstrated his understanding of geography when he proclaimed, “Daddy is not here,” when he discovered Prince William was visiting China. He embraced his big brother role when Princess Charlotte was born on May 2, 2015, showing protectiveness at her christening by posing sternly for the cameras.
That same year, George also took his first pony ride at the tender age of two, marking a significant milestone in his royal upbringing.
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Prince George: The Young Equestrian Enthusiast
Prince George, displaying signs of a natural talent for horseback riding, was previously captured holding a polo mallet with his left hand, hinting that he might be a lefty. Reports indicate that Prince William is eager to introduce his son to the luxury sport of polo, having discussed potential lessons with professional player Jamie Morrison.
A Fascination for Balloon Art Over Politics
As a preschooler at Westacre Montessori School, Prince George had memorable encounters with global leaders. In 2016, when he met President Barack Obama at Kensington Palace, he humorously showed up in a bathrobe and pajamas, leading Obama to joke about his lack of formal attire during a White House event.
Later that year, he met Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who attempted to engage with George by offering a high five, only to be met with an indifferent stare. However, George was greatly entertained by a balloon artist at a military family event, showing particular delight when a spider balloon was made, even sharing a laugh when the balloon was playfully pushed towards his dad.
Understanding His Unique Place in the World
By 2017, a royal insider disclosed that Prince George began to recognize the differences between his royal life and that of his peers. This realization was particularly clear when he appeared bored during the Trooping the Colour from the Buckingham Palace balcony.
To give him a taste of normal childhood experiences, his parents encouraged outdoor play, including bike riding and early tennis lessons. He transitioned to a coed primary school in London, a choice made by Kate Middleton so he could later attend school with Princess Charlotte. Despite Kate being unable to attend his first day due to pregnancy complications, William reported that George was adapting well to his new environment.
Participation in Royal Events
In 2018, Prince George notably participated in two royal weddings as a page boy. He first attended Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s elaborate wedding, marking the first occasion he wore pants instead of shorts, dressed in a stylish frock coat resembling Harry’s military uniform. Later that year, he was involved in another royal wedding, showcasing his growing role in royal traditions.
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A young boy returned to the same church, this time following behind Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank down the aisle.
At weddings, George is often the most entertaining one around. A video posted on the Prince and Princess of Wales’ X account shows Prince William sharing that his son enjoys dancing. During this period, George’s school had ballet classes, which led to a lighthearted remark from “Good Morning America” host Lara Spencer.
In 2018, among other memorable moments, George experienced his first grouse hunt at Balmoral Castle, although he simply observed, and celebrated the christening of his baby brother, Prince Louis. He and Princess Charlotte got to meet Louis soon after he arrived on April 23, 2018, spending around 25 minutes with him and expressing great excitement, as a source explained to Us Weekly.
Sibling Soccer Rivalry and Name Curiosity
Prince George welcomed his little cousin, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, in May 2019. However, because of the tensions between Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, and the royal family, George hasn’t seen Archie much. It is rumored that George might have known about his cousin’s name even before he was born.
In January 2019, a dog walker recounted an amusing interaction with George. She asked him his name, and he replied, “I’m called Archie,” grinning widely. This could hint that he overheard discussions about baby names or perhaps just liked the name Archie. Regardless, it adds a fun chapter to royal gossip.
In addition to name contemplation, 2019 also saw George perfecting his soccer techniques. His competitiveness sometimes clashed with Princess Charlotte’s playing. Olivia Hancock, a Diana Award recipient, mentioned William saying that George would challenge Charlotte while she was in goal, claiming, “I’m better than you.” George also tried his hand at a new style with a captain’s cap during the King’s Cup Regatta in 2019, where he even nibbled on an ant, thanks to Bear Grylls.
The Gift from David Attenborough That Stirred Debate
During the 2020 lockdown, Kate Middleton spoke with school children via video call, revealing that Prince George had grown fond of the documentaries by David Attenborough. Later that year, George met Attenborough at an outdoor screening of “David Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet” at Kensington Palace, where the famed naturalist gifted him a fossilized megalodon tooth.
This gift became a topic of debate due to its origins. José Herrera, the Malta Culture Minister, initially requested its return, citing its geological significance. However, he later retracted the demand, expressing confidence that George would appreciate Malta’s natural history in due time.
Prince William mentioned how the documentary “Extinction: The Facts” had a profound effect on George, who expressed sadness halfway through, saying he wished to stop watching. That year, William and Kate also reportedly began discussing George’s future role as king with him.
Transformation: Becoming a Mini-Me of His Father
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In a notable change of style, Prince George transitioned into a more formal look in 2021. During the UEFA Euro Championship match between England and Germany, he donned a smart suit, departing from his typical shorts and socks attire. Royal expert Duncan Larcombe shared with OK! that George was eager to attend and wanted to mirror his father, Prince William, stating that he considers William to be “the most perfect person on the planet.”
As George matured, he began to grasp his father’s dedication to environmental issues. In a conversation shared during a “BBC Newscast” interview, Prince William recounted how George and his classmates felt disheartened after cleaning up litter only to find it was littered again the next day. George expressed his confusion, asking, “Why hasn’t it gone away since we cleaned it?”
The father-son bond strengthened as George aged. A 2022 source revealed to Us Weekly that he has a strong preference for his father, with shared interests like helicopters. Additionally, Kate Middleton has influenced his hobbies as well; a source mentioned that she was giving George lessons in sailing.
Using His Status to Engage with Peers
Author Katie Nicholl highlighted an instance from Prince George’s childhood where he imagined a darker use of his royal heritage. In her 2022 book, “The New Royals,” Nicholl recounts that George once warned a classmate in a spat, saying, “‘My dad will be king so you better watch out.'” However, a royal insider later clarified in a discussion with Us Weekly that George and his siblings do not take pride in their royal status or act superior.
Following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, George and his father moved closer in the line of succession. At the queen’s funeral, George’s playful side became apparent as he was seen sticking his tongue out while leaving in a vehicle. Sources reported that George’s mischievous nature was evolving into leadership qualities, noting he is assertive, clear in his opinions, and confident.
In 2022, perhaps for the first time, George publicly interacted with reporters. While attending Wimbledon with Kate Middleton, he was asked about his favorite player and cheerfully replied, “[Novak] Djokovic.” However, it was revealed by Popbitch, through Gawker, that the media was requested to avoid reporting his answer.
Debates Over Prince George’s Education Choices
In 2022, Prince George and his siblings commenced their education at Lambrook School, conveniently located near Adelaide Cottage in Windsor. Kate Middleton had previously made it clear that she did not prefer Eton College, which William attended, as George’s next academic step. However, a source shared with In Touch that Kate’s wishes were overridden in this decision. She finds Eton’s prestigious reputation at odds with their goal to modernize the royal family’s image and expresses that she would miss George immensely. In 2023, as George and his parents visited the boarding school, his enrollment decision loomed, with discussions for the June deadline approaching. Despite being just 10 years old, the potential change was deeply emotional for Kate.
George’s parents are reportedly on opposing sides regarding his educational path; however, they both agree on one thing: the public should see more of him. Recently, he held King Charles III’s ceremonial robe and was spotted attempting archery during the Big Help Out, an event aimed at encouraging volunteerism. He also enjoyed several sporting events, devouring pizza at a cricket match and cheering at the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals. As reported by Hello!, Kate shared that George has taken up touch rugby at school, saying, “He has the physique.”
