Prince George Faces His Next Big Milestone as He Is Rapidly Turning Into a ‘Young Man’

Prince George is only 12, but for the future King of England, every year marks a step closer to the life awaiting him. Now, a royal expert has revealed that George is about to face another major “milestone”, one that not only shapes his education but also sets the tone for how William and Kate are preparing him for the years ahead.

Prince George attends the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, 2025. (Image Source: Getty Images| Karwai Tang/WireImage)

Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told The Mirror, “William and Catherine's baby boy George is rapidly turning into a young man, and this last year at Lambrook School with his siblings will be another milestone in his life.” The next chapter will likely bring big changes, and George isn’t immune to the nerves that come with it. As Bond explained, “I'm sure that he'll feel nervous about the big change ahead, but hopefully some of his school friends will be making the move with him, wherever he is headed.”

While speculation has been swirling about George’s possible future at Eton College, nothing is official yet. What is clear, however, is that William and Kate remain closely involved in every decision. “George has become used to his parents being deeply involved in his school life. As often as possible, it's mom or dad who does the school run, and I'm sure they're fully invested in every aspect of his education,” Bond noted. “So that's going to be another big change ahead.”

Prince William and Prince George tries his hand at archery while taking part in the Big Help Out. (Image Source: Getty Images | Daniel Leal)

Bond added that whatever school George ultimately attends, the Cambridges will cherish this final year with all three children together. “There's no doubt they will all cherish this final year of the three children being together — if, indeed, it does turn out that they end up at different schools,” the correspondent said. For George, second in line to the throne, these educational milestones are more than routine transitions, representing the early stages of preparation for the responsibilities that come with the Crown.

While Kate and William are united in their commitment to supporting their son, their approaches reflect their roles within the monarchy. Royal historian Marlene Koenig had earlier told Us Weekly that Kate’s focus will always be deeply personal. “She will never have a constitutional role, except as regent in a worst-case scenario, if George becomes king before age 18,” Koenig explained. “She is there to be the loving, supportive mom in everything George does, because he is her son first and foremost.”

Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis (C), accompanied by their parents the Prince William, and Catherine,, arrive for a settling in afternoon at Lambrook School, near Ascot. (Image Source: Getty Images | Jonathan Brady)

Kate’s perspective comes from her own lived experience. Having spent nearly a decade with William before their marriage, she had ample time to understand the demands of royal life. While she provides the emotional anchor for George, it is William and King Charles who take the lead in equipping him with the practical knowledge of monarchy. That process has already begun to evolve now that George is 12, Koenig had explained.

A long-standing travel protocol, for example, no longer allows George to routinely fly with his father without special permission from the King — a rule intended to safeguard the line of succession. Graham Laurie, King Charles’s former pilot, recalled the same tradition being applied to William at the same age.