Uh oh, Prince George’s ‘normal childhood’ may have just been ruined by his own parents

Prince George’s carefully planned and more typical childhood has reached a major change. Recent information from a royal biographer, Robert Lacey, shows that Prince William and Kate Middleton have finally told their oldest son the serious truth of his future: he is destined to one day become the King of England. While this long-awaited conversation was an action meant to protect the young prince’s youth, it also marked the end of an important period of normal life for him.

This planned delay, according to royal experts, was proof of the parents’ special care and thoughtfulness, but it also gives a view into Prince William’s own personal view of the heavy obligations that come with the monarchy. The choice to wait until the last possible moment to tell their twelve-year-old son about his fate was a deliberate action to protect him.

This careful method shows the couple’s dedication to giving their children a childhood that is, as much as possible, free from the huge pressures of their royal positions. In an interview with People, Royal experts suggested that this protective step reflects William’s own personal feelings about the weight of the crown, showing a wish to gently introduce his son into a future that he himself knows very well. Apparently, George “really has had a period of a normal childhood,” but that has ended.

Prince George will one day be King, and now he knows it

In sharing this life-changing news, William is said to have picked his words very precisely. According to Lacey, “It shows special care and thoughtfulness. It also tells us something about how William felt about the weight of the crown. I imagine that when William talks to George about things like this, he uses words like ‘destiny’ rather than ‘duty.’ ‘Duty’ has a sense of being trapped; ‘destiny’ has a sense of choice.”

This new development fits perfectly into the larger, modern parenting style of the Prince and Princess of Wales. They have always tried to raise their family in a way that is different from long-standing royal traditions. One clear example of this method is their choice of school.

In a new step for the royal family, they signed up all three of their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, at the same co-educational day school, which is a change from the historical tradition of single gender schooling. This choice matches their wish to do things in a more current way, creating an environment where all their children can learn and develop together.

However, as George’s future becomes clearer, the family is also said to be thinking about a return to tradition for his high school education. There are reports that they are considering sending him to Eton College, the all-boys boarding school that Prince William himself went to. This possible decision shows the difficult balance the couple is trying to find between updating their family’s life and respecting the traditions of the institution they are a part of.

Prince William has a lot on his plate while he deals with raising a future king. He still has issues with his brother, and his father’s health seems to be declining.

Still, William has moved forward with new ideas. Another place where this modern method is clear is in how they handle titles. Sources have said that Prince William might choose to wait before giving the Prince of Wales title to George, even if he himself were to become King. This action would be caused by the idea that it is very important for George to finish his education and have a time of freedom before accepting any more royal titles.

Another royal author, Robert Hardman, said, “William takes his role as father of the future King as seriously as he takes his role as future King. That’s key. His overarching priority is making sure they enjoy it rather than fear it.”