A lot happened in 2025, but one aspect of the year gone past that will be remembered from a royal standpoint? It’s the year that Prince George, who turned 12 in July, began his transformation from a young man into a future king.
Prince George on May 5, 2025.
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This year, George undertook three significant royal engagements without his siblings—one in May, to a Buckingham Palace tea party honoring World War II veterans; one in November, alongside his mom Kate Middleton, where he stood in for dad Prince William at the Festival of Remembrance; and, finally, one earlier this month, when he joined the Prince of Wales for a visit to The Passage, a homelessness charity once supported by Princess Diana.
Prince William and Prince George at The Passage on December 16, 2025.
Prince and Princess of Wales/Instagram
According to The Daily Mail, these appearances—and George’s ongoing gradual introduction to the royal life that awaits him—are proof that the preteen is “being well prepared for his unique royal role” by the Prince and Princess of Wales. Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told the outlet that George’s slow introduction to royal life is meant to introduce him to the elevated attention without overwhelming him.
“From the beginning, William and Catherine have prioritized privacy,” he said. “As George gets older, he is making more appearances at events of particular significance, especially those with links to the armed forces or sport.”
At the May event honoring the 80th anniversary of VE Day, Fitzwilliams said that George displayed a “quiet confidence,” adding that it was a “wonderful idea” for William and Kate to bring George to the tea party, where he was “clearly fascinated by the stories he heard.”
Prince William and Prince George on May 5, 2025.
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“As future king, he will undoubtedly see service in the armed forces,” Fitzwilliams said. “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.”
Royal biographer Robert Hardman previously told People that “William is trying to normalize” George being heir to the throne. “They’re not in denial and there’s a lot of thought being given to it, which was not always the case,” he added.
Kate Middleton and Prince George at the Festival of Remembrance on November 8, 2025.
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“With George, there’s a sense that the priority is that he and his siblings are not put off this, that it’s not scary, that it’s something that they understand and it’s going to be part of their life,” Hardman continued. “And there’s a belief to make it as unobtrusive and as normal—if you can call it normal—and as pleasant as possible.”
“It’s a slow game, and it gets him used to it on the couple’s terms rather than anybody else’s,” a palace source said about George’s gradual introduction to royal duty by both of his parents.
Kate Middleton, Prince George, and Prince William.
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Another palace insider told People that “It’s a massive balancing act. William and Kate are doing the right thing, protecting him so he can have as normal a childhood as possible, but he’s also dipping into duties as a future monarch.”
“He’s getting firsthand experience of what it’s like to be a royal and a monarch and firsthand experience of being a normal boy,” the source added.