NEED TO KNOW<\/p>\n
On May 5, Prince George<\/a> stepped into the spotlight like never before, joining his parents, Kate Middleton<\/a> and Prince William<\/a>, at Buckingham Palace alongside King Charles<\/a> for a tea honoring WWII veterans<\/a>. Sharp in a dark suit and blue tie, he asked thoughtful questions, giving a glimpse of the confident, calm young leader he\u2019s becoming.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \u201cThis was the first sign of George taking on future duties,\u201d Russell Myers of The Mirror tells PEOPLE in this week\u2019s issue. \u201cEven though he is so young, he seems to have grown in confidence over the last couple of years.\u201d\n<\/p>\n For observers, the moment highlighted how William and Kate, both 43, have been carefully preparing their eldest son for the throne.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a slow game, and it gets him used to it on the couple\u2019s terms rather than anybody else\u2019s,\u201d a palace insider says.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n Prince George speaks with WWII veterans at Buckingham Palace on May 5, 2025.<\/p>\n Yui Mok – WPA Pool\/Getty<\/p>\n Now on the cusp of his teens, George is being gradually introduced to the role he will one day inherit. He turned 12 on July 22, celebrated with a portrait<\/a> \u2014 resembling his father in a country shirt and vest, with a Taylor Swift<\/a>\u2013style friendship bracelet \u2014 and a rare video with his siblings<\/a>, Princess Charlotte<\/a>, 10, and Prince Louis<\/a>, 7.\n<\/p>\n While his younger brother and sister often shine with lively charm, George tends to project a thoughtful calm.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \u201cHe comes across as a serious chap,\u201d the insider adds. \u201cTo have the world\u2019s eyes on you, especially when you\u2019re so young, is demanding.\u201d Yet those who know him well say he also has a playful streak.\n<\/p>\n He enjoys front-row seats at Wimbledon<\/a> and nearly a decade of balcony waves at Buckingham Palace<\/a>, yet he\u2019s also a big brother and a schoolboy with a close circle of friends at his coed school<\/a>. Away from the spotlight, he leaps to his feet at soccer matches<\/a>, cheering with his dad.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \u201cHe does the right things at the right moment, as any 12-year-old would\u2014and that\u2019s all that matters,\u201d says a source close to the palace.\n<\/p>\n Following a summer in which his mother has been regaining strength nearly a year after chemotherapy<\/a>, George is returning to Lambrook School in September for his final year alongside Charlotte and Louis. Unlike previous heirs, he has always attended coed day schools.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \u201cThat chimes with William wanting to do things in a more modern way, putting all three children in the same school,\u201d says royal author Sally Bedell Smith. \u201cIt\u2019s a new direction \u2014 groundbreaking for the royal family.\u201d\n<\/p>\n But a pivotal decision lies ahead: where he will continue his education next year. For most royal watchers, Eton College \u2014 the all-boys boarding school where William thrived \u2014 is the front-runner, conveniently close to the family\u2019s new home, Forest Lodge<\/a>, in Windsor Great Park, where they plan to settle by year\u2019s end.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n William and Kate have anchored themselves in Windsor, determined to give their children as normal a life as possible. At Forest Lodge, they plan to maintain the routines that matter most: school drop-offs and pickups, sports games and everyday family moments \u2014 all without live-in staff.\n<\/p>\n Kate Middleton, Prince George, Prince William, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis in June 2025.<\/p>\n The Prince and Princess of Wales\/Instagram<\/p>\n George\u2019s home life mirrors the happy country-centered childhood Kate enjoyed. Living just 30 minutes away, Kate\u2019s hands-on parents<\/a>, Carole and Michael, play an unusually prominent role in shaping the life of a future King.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \u201cKate\u2019s family has set the pace, and William has been very happy to take the lead from them,\u201d says royal author Robert Lacey. \u201cMany decisions they\u2019ve made echo Middleton decisions.\u201d\n<\/p>\n The couple has also succeeded in giving their children a childhood largely away from the cameras.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n “William takes his role as father of the future King as seriously as he takes his role as future King. That\u2019s key,\u201d says royal biographer Robert Hardman. \u201cHis overarching priority is making sure they enjoy it rather than fear it.\u201d\u00a0\n<\/p>\n Prince William and Prince George on July 13, 2025.<\/p>\n Karwai Tang\/WireImage<\/p>\n