Prince George's move towards 'destiny'
The Royal Editor looks at how the future King is being prepared for duty
Hi Royal Clubbers, it’s Emily.
Didn’t Prince George look the picture of fun in the lovely new portrait shared to mark his 12th birthday this week?
The image of William and Catherine’s eldest son, taken by Josh Shinner, was followed by delightful behind-the-scenes footage of him larking around with his younger sister Princess Charlotte and brother Prince Louis in the great outdoors.
George is seen giggling as he lifts Louis around the chest and Charlotte picks up his feet, then walking hand in hand with his siblings down a track, their wide smiles all at full wattage.
This is the royal children at their most relaxed, in an environment they know and love, (the images were captured in Norfolk back in April) and the footage gives us an endearing glimpse into their idyllic family life away from the cameras.
It's a life that William and Catherine have worked hard to protect and keep as private and normal as possible for their brood.
At 12, Prince George has a big year ahead – he’ll finish his time at Lambrook, the prep school he attends with Charlotte and Louis, and set out for senior school (more on which in a moment) as he finally becomes a teenager.
But while his parents’ focus for now is rightly on George’s education (is this his perfect next school?)and ability to enjoy a relatively carefree childhood, we are starting to see signs of how the second in line to the throne is very gently being introduced to royal duties (including one unambiguous signal I will address later in the newsletter).