Kate Middleton and Prince William are being praised for their “clever” approach in preparing Prince George for future royal duties after he made a special solo appearance at a VE Day event last week.
The 11-year-old future king joined his parents at a tea party at Buckingham Palace to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, marking a significant step in his royal journey.
George, who appeared confident and natural as he chatted with veterans, attended the event without his younger siblings, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
He mingled with World War II heroes and showed genuine interest in their stories, signaling a carefully guided move by Kate and William to ease their son into public life.
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond described the move as a “clever tactic,” explaining to The Mirror: "At big events like this, he looks as if he is taking it all in, and understanding that his life will be punctuated by national occasions where his will be a key role."
Bond also noted that George appeared "genuinely interested and concerned" as he listened to the veterans' experiences of war.
Bond praised how Prince William appeared to let George take the lead, saying: "It was noticeable that William sometimes put George first and foremost, letting him sit with veterans while he hovered behind. That was a clever and reassuring way for William to mentor his son."
The concept of “the heir and the spare” has been widely discussed in royal history, particularly in relation to Prince Harry.
However, royal expert Phil Dampier told Fabulous that Charlotte and their younger brother, Prince Louis, may have a different experience.
“He [George] is the future King, but the way things are going, Charlotte and Louis may have major roles in the future. Certainly, the royal family will need them as they are getting thin on the ground,” Dampier noted.
Unlike Prince Harry, who has openly spoken about feeling sidelined as the “spare,” experts believe Charlotte and Louis may benefit from a stronger sense of purpose within the modern monarchy.
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