NEED TO KNOW<\/p>\n
Prince George<\/a> stepped out in casual attire for an annual royal holiday outing \u2014 and the 12-year-old’s style choice may reflect his father Prince William<\/a>\u2019s plans for the future of the monarchy.\n<\/p>\n On Dec. 16, George joined William<\/a>, 43, to help prepare the annual holiday lunch at The Passage, the U.K.’s largest resource center for homeless and insecurely housed people.\n<\/p>\n George could be seen dressed in a red quarter zip with a plaid button-down underneath along with a pair of navy blue slacks, while his father donned a sweater, blue button-down and black slacks.\n<\/p>\n The father-son duo\u2019s down-to-earth attire wasn\u2019t just practical for a hands-on volunteer shift. It also symbolizes the more relatable, approachable image William hopes to cultivate as he modernizes the monarchy. In contrast to the formality expected of young royals in past generations, George\u2019s casual outfit reflects a deliberate shift toward accessibility \u2014 a visual cue that the future King and his heir intend to meet people where they are, in settings that feel less ceremonial and more human.\n<\/p>\n Princess Diana took William and Prince Harry<\/a> to the same event when William was around the same age that his eldest child is now. Archival photos posted by the Prince and Princess of Wales<\/a>\u2019 Instagram account showed William wearing a suit and tie to the event when he was 11.\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n William has been candid in recent years about his goals to bring the traditions of the royals into the modern age \u2014 and his eldest son’s outfit is a clear step as he attempts to modernize the monarchy.\n<\/p>\n During an October interview with actor\u00a0Eugene Levy<\/a>, host of Apple TV+\u2019s\u00a0The Reluctant Traveler, Prince William said that while tradition has played a “huge part” in his role (and his children<\/a>‘s roles) as monarchs, “there are also points where you look at tradition and go, is that still fit for purpose today?”\n<\/p>\n “Is that still the right thing to do? Are we still doing and having the most impact we could be having?” William questioned during his conversation with Levy<\/a>, 79.\n<\/p>\n “I think it’s safe to say that change is on my agenda \u2013 change for good,” he told the American Pie comedian, as they discussed his future role as king and how George will one day succeed him. William added: “And I embrace that, and I enjoy that change \u2013 I don’t fear it.”\n<\/p>\n Talk then turned to William’s eventual role as King of England, and the prince shared his desire for progress.\n<\/p>\n “If you’re not careful, history can be a real weight and an anchor around you, and you can feel suffocated by it,” he said. “I think it’s important to live for the here and now.”\n<\/p>\n “I want to create a world in which my son is proud of what we do,” William added, referring to his and Princess Kate<\/a>‘s eldest child. “A world and a job that actually does impact people\u2019s lives for the better.”\n<\/p>\n Prince William and Prince George visit The Passage on Dec. 16, 2025.<\/p>\n Andrew Parsons \/ Kensington Palace<\/p>\n “Prince William\u2019s been quite vocal about what he wants to do when the time comes,” a source with ties to the palace told PEOPLE in an\u00a0exclusive cover story<\/a> soon after his conversation with Levy aired. “[To be] more accessible, more approachable.”\n<\/p>\n During the Dec. 16 event \u2014 the same day the royals\u00a0had their own Christmas lunch<\/a>\u00a0hosted by\u00a0King Charles<\/a>\u00a0at Buckingham Palace \u2014 George was also introduced to some of the users of the charity’s services and heard about their experiences and the support The Passage provides.\n<\/p>\n Prince William and Prince George visit The Passage on Dec. 16, 2025.<\/p>\n The Prince and Princess of Wales\/Instagram<\/p>\n \u201cIt was important to the Prince of Wales to share with Prince George the work of The Passage and to spend time volunteering alongside the team,” William\u2019s spokesperson told PEOPLE<\/a>. “They both greatly enjoyed meeting staff, volunteers and service users as well as learning more about the charity\u2019s work. The dedication shown not only by The Passage but by organizations across the homelessness sector, at Christmas and throughout the year, is invaluable.\u201d\n<\/p>\n This wasn’t Prince George’s first introduction to service \u2014 or his first time slowly becoming immersed in the duties that will be his future. Princess Kate, 43, got George and his siblings,\u00a0Princess Charlotte<\/a>, 10,\u00a0and\u00a0Prince Louis<\/a>, 7, involved in a volunteer event in December 2023, when she\u00a0took them to a baby bank<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n This past May, George also\u00a0joined his parents at a lunch<\/a>\u00a0at Buckingham Palace for World War II veterans as the 80th anniversary of VE Day was marked. In November, the royal also\u00a0accompanied Princess Kate<\/a>\u00a0to the Festival of Remembrance, marking his first Remembrance Day event with the royals.\n<\/p>\n Prince William and Princess Kate’s eldest son also took a moment to honor his late grandmother Princess Diana<\/a> at Tuesday’s event. A\u00a0photo<\/a>\u00a0shared by the royal family on social media showed George signing a visitors\u2019 book \u2014 right underneath his father and late grandmother\u00a0Princess Diana<\/a>\u2019s signatures.\n<\/p>\n Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter<\/a> to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!\u00a0<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n