Prince George 'made huge decision' at VE Day event as plans become clear
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Prince George made an unexpected appearance at a VE Day event, earning praise from both experts and veterans.
The young royal joined his parents on the Buckingham Palace balcony for the anniversary fly past, but also accompanied his father, Prince William, to meet World War Two veterans - an engagement he wasn't originally scheduled to attend.
During this meeting, George interacted with individuals who served in a conflict that ended long before he or his parents were born.
Hello! magazine reported that one veteran warmly welcomed George's presence. They told the prince: "It's very important you're here today. It's days like this that we should use to talk about things like this, so the younger generation can have some understanding."
World War Two veterans weren't the only ones impressed by George. Author Robert Jobson also praised the strategy employed by his parents. He commented: "I thought it was a really good move by William and Princess Kate."
He added: "They are preparing him for public life. Kids can find it difficult to meet people, shake their hands and look them in the eye, but he does it very well."
Mr Jobson isn't alone in his observations as former BBC Royal correspondent Jennie Bond suggested that the entire outing was part of a smart strategy by the Prince and Princess of Wales, reports Cambridgeshire Live.
Speaking to The Mirror, she expressed her delight at seeing Prince George in a more relaxed setting. She said: "I love seeing [George] at football matches when he can let his hair down.
"But at big events like this, he looks as if he is taking it all in, and understanding that his life will be punctuated by national occasions where his will be a key role. And I'm sure his parents have schooled him in how to behave and what it all means.
"I think they had prepared him to sit down with some of the veterans, and he looked genuinely interested and concerned to hear their stories of the war."
Jennie pointed out the significance of George's interactions with the veterans, noting that it was an experience not shared by his younger siblings, Princess Charlotte, 10, or Prince Louis, seven, but one that is essential considering his future responsibilities.
She explained: "The VE Day commemorations may be the only opportunity George will ever have of speaking to men and women who served their King and country during the war.
"One day he will be Chief of the Armed Forces himself, and he may well look back at some of those conversations and be glad that he had the chance to meet some of the few remaining veterans."
Highlighting William's parenting approach, she observed: "It was noticeable that William sometimes put George first and foremost, letting him sit with veterans while he hovered behind. That was a clever and reassuring way for William to mentor his son."
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