Royal Expert Names the 'Best Prepared Teenage Heir in History' ― and It Wasn't Prince William
Public opinion and camera glares are inextricable aspects of royalty, and the monarchy may finally have a teenage heir prepared to handle the flaws and merits that come with the role.
Heavy is the head that wears the crown. The foundation of British royalty firmly rests on a platform that is constantly tested, shifting under the weight of public opinion and relentless media scrutiny. Few understand that reality better than Prince William, who grew up with every stage of his life unfolding under the public eye. But the Royal Family may finally have a teenage heir ready to take on that responsibility with a clear understanding of both the merits and the pressures that come with it. That heir is none other than William's eldest son, Prince George.
On the eve of his 13th birthday, royal editor of The Telegraph, Hannah Furness, detailed why George would be the “best prepared teenage heir in history”. The soon-to-be-teenager had caught the world’s eye since he was born. Everyone still remembers where they were when his parents, Prince William and Kate Middleton, walked out of St. Mary’s Hospital with him, snugly wrapped in a blanket in 2013. The images of him adorably dressed in his gingham nightdress while meeting then-US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama are still part of public memory. And the intense curiosity about which school he would choose for his secondary education had warped royal news.
But global attention isn’t simply what has prepared him well for the role of a King, but it’s also about how he has been brought up. “No one knows better than William what life is like growing up in the Royal family,” a source told Furness, “He is absolutely determined to get it right.” And his efforts have seemingly taken effect. Friends of the family say George is “incredibly down to earth” and “aware of his future”. Furness further added, “He is a sporting all-rounder, a surprisingly good artist, and is still getting used to the meet-and-greet walkabouts that will be part of his working life stretching ahead.”
One of the tenets of William and Middleton’s parenting style is often said to be their focus on raising their children with as much normalcy as possible. George and his siblings, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, accompany their parents for important royal and family events. But apart from that, they are kept away from the public eye. A friend of the family said, “The biggest thing is that it has to be family first. They will serve the institution, but they will also make sure their children are raised with as much normality as possible.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales have constantly juggled their personal and private lives, especially with regards to their kids. “The way they have lived their lives – getting the kids outside, spending time together, focusing on the school run – it’s just as strategic as any other part of their public service. Preparing their children for the lives they are going to lead, it’s central to their roles – it’s not something that’s on the side,” a source said.
2026 will be a monumental year for George, as he is set to start his secondary education at Eton College this year. The prince was last seen during a joint appearance with his parents and younger sister at Wimbledon earlier this month.
