Prince William is “carefully” planning Prince George’s future in the Royal Family while ensuring the 12-year-old is introduced to royal life gradually, according to royal author Katie Nicholl.
Prince George, who turned 12 this summer, is second in line to the throne and will one day become King.
His father, the Prince of Wales, is acutely aware of the responsibility ahead for both himself and his son.
Speaking to The Mirror, Ms Nicholl said: “William doesn’t want George to have the same level of exposure he and Prince Harry had as kids, so it has to be done very carefully.
Prince George’s ‘exposure to royal life’ set to be minimised after William and Harry’s childhood
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“The crown will never have felt closer to the Prince than it does now. His father’s illness has been a stark reminder that it’s his turn next.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales have taken a cautious approach to public life for their children.
Ms Nicholl explained: “William has the sense to know that the public need to fall in love with George as a youngster.
“He has to have a presence, and he can’t be kept under lock and key and only introduced when he’s 18.”
Prince George, along with his younger siblings Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, seven, usually appears at set-piece occasions each year.
These include Trooping the Colour, the Royal Family’s traditional Christmas walk to church, and the Princess of Wales’s annual carol concert.
The children have also joined their parents at high-profile national events. Prince George and Princess Charlotte have made appearances at Wimbledon, including again this July, while all three children took part in the King’s Coronation in 2023.
They also attended the 80th anniversary commemorations for VE Day earlier this year.
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Prince George has already begun taking on a more visible role. In May, he joined his parents for a tea with World War II veterans to mark VE Day, his first official engagement alongside them.
Such appearances are seen as the beginning of a gradual process to prepare him for future responsibilities.
Royal commentator Duncan Larcombe highlighted the unique challenge the young royal faces. “How do you explain it to a 12-year-old?” Mr Larcombe asked.
“Their closeness will be invaluable as George tries to process the fact he isn’t quite normal. He’s going to be King, he will be front page news all his life—that would be hard for anyone to get their head around, let alone a boy of his age.”
Ms Nicholl added that the Prince of Wales himself is prepared for what lies ahead.
“The aides I’ve spoken to and those who know him best say he is absolutely prepared,” she said.
“Of course, it’s not a moment he wants to think about. He loves his father and wants him to be around for a long time, but when the time comes, he will be ready.”