Prince George is officially a teenager, with Prince William and Kate Middleton marking their eldest son’s 13th birthday with a dapper new royal portrait. The proud parents also offered a more candid glimpse at the future king with a sweet family video showing George enjoying time with his younger brother, Prince Louis.
The teenage prince is set to follow in his father’s footsteps by attending the prestigious Eton College this September.
Prince George has officially entered his teenage years, and Prince William and Kate Middleton marked the milestone with a rare glimpse of the future king growing up.
The Prince and Princess of Wales celebrated their eldest child’s first teenage birthday on July 22 by releasing a new portrait of George looking sharp in a dark suit and open-necked white shirt. “Happy 13th Birthday, George!” his proud parents wrote alongside the snap.
The photo was taken by longtime royal photographer Matt Porteous at Kensington Palace following last month’s “Trooping the Color.” William and Kate later shared a more relaxed video filmed during the family’s Easter trip to Cornwall, showing George climbing rocks, playing cricket and spending time with Prince Louis. “Thank you for all the birthday wishes for George today,” they captioned the post.
4George’s 13th birthday isn’t the only major milestone on the horizon for the young royal, as he prepares to follow directly in his father’s academic footsteps.
An official statement revealed last month that George will leave Lambrook School and attend the prestigious Eton College from September. “Kensington Palace can confirm that Prince George will attend Eton College from this September,” a spokesperson said.
The move carries special significance for William, who became the first senior royal to enroll at Eton in 1995, with Prince Harry following three years later. The Prince of Wales has previously reflected fondly on his experience, saying, “I’ve really enjoyed being able to go about Eton as just another student.” The elite school reportedly costs more than £63,000 annually and sits just a short drive from the Wales family’s Windsor home.
Prince George To Join A Who’s Who Of Famous Eton Alumni
4When he walks through the doors of Eton College in September, the future King of England will be in pretty famous company.
Beyond his father and uncle, the prestigious school has produced an impressive roster of names, including “Loki” actor Tom Hiddleston, Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne, “House” star Hugh Laurie, and “The Wire’s” Dominic West.
Eton itself once noted that its alumni had achieved “iconic, all-American status” on U.S. television, while its former pupils have also shaped pop culture from behind the scenes. Ian Fleming, who attended from 1921 to 1926, went on to create James Bond, whom Eton’s museum calls “Britain’s most famous spy.”
George Orwell, the legendary author behind “1984” and “Animal Farm,” was also educated there. Eton has also produced 20 British prime ministers, including modern-day leaders Boris Johnson and David Cameron.
George Nearly Followed Kate Middleton’s Path Instead Of William’s
4Before it was established that George would be following William to Eton, Kate reportedly considered sending her son down a very different path.
Prior to the Palace’s disclosure of the prince’s enrollment at Eton, his mother’s former school, Marlborough College, emerged as a serious contender. Per Vanity Fair, a source claimed in January that while Eton was the “obvious choice,” William and Kate were “leaning towards other schools.”
George had reportedly toured Marlborough with his parents, where Kate herself flourished after transferring from Downe House. She played hockey and ran cross-country there, while siblings Pippa and James Middleton later attended too.
Ultimately, William’s alma mater won out, with Marlborough reportedly having been among the top alternatives considered before the family settled on Eton.
Prince George May Soon Have To Break A Familiar Family Routine
4Turning 13 could bring more than teenage growing pains for George, as his place in the line of succession comes with some unusual royal traditions.
For years, royal heirs have generally avoided traveling together as a security precaution, something William reportedly experienced himself after turning 12.
Former royal pilot Graham Laurie recalled that the heir began flying separately from his father, then-Prince Charles, at that age. “When William became 12, he would fly normally in a 125 from Northolt,” Laurie said, while Charles traveled separately with Princess Diana and Prince Harry.
However, George may not face the same restriction. When the prince turned 12, the Daily Mail’s Rebecca English said Kensington Palace’s response to questions about the supposed rule was essentially, “Well, it’s kind of news to us.”
That suggests William and George could continue traveling together despite the longstanding royal convention.
