Prince George celebrates his 13th birthday on Wednesday, and as he prepares to begin at Eton College, the Prince and Princess of Wales are reportedly determined to give their eldest son a grounded upbringing that is not defined by duty.
Previous heirs have typically progressed from school to university or military service before gradually taking on full-time royal duties. However, William and Catherine are said to be focused on balancing royal life with everyday family experiences.
William's Determination
“No one knows better than William what life is like growing up in the Royal Family,” a source told the Telegraph. “He is absolutely determined to get it right.”
Another added: “They will serve the institution, but they will also make sure their children are raised with as much normality as possible.”
Privacy at School
Part of that strategy includes allowing George to continue his education away from the spotlight. Eton's reported restrictions on smartphones, with pupils using basic mobile phones in their first year, are thought to align with William and Catherine's wish to give their son privacy.
“Preparing their children for the lives they are going to lead is central to their roles – it’s not something that's on the side,” said another source.
Previous Privacy Measures
Kensington Palace previously issued an unprecedented warning to paparazzi, accusing photographers of harassing Prince George and using “increasingly dangerous tactics” to obtain covert images of him.
