Latest news with #futureking
The Independent
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
William and Kate release new photo for Prince George's birthday
Prince George has celebrated his 12th birthday, with the Prince and Princess of Wales releasing a new photograph to mark the occasion. The image, taken by photographer Josh Shinner, shows the future king smiling and relaxed outdoors, leaning on a rustic wooden gate in Norfolk. Posted on Kensington Palace 's social media, the photograph depicts George wearing a white checked shirt, a dark green fleece gilet, and a blue and white friendship bracelet. George is one year away from being a teenager and has one year left at Lambrook prep school before moving to a senior school, with Eton or Marlborough College thought to be frontrunners. His birthday falls during his summer break, and he recently attended the Wimbledon men's final and the Trooping the Colour ceremony.
Daily Mail
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Royal fans gush over Prince George's resemblance to his father Prince William in charming 12th birthday portrait and say 'he'll make a fine King'
Royal fans have gone wild over Prince George's likeness to his father in his new portrait, shared to mark his 12th birthday on Tuesday. Looking as charming as ever, the future king, who was born on July 22, 2013 at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, London, was all smiles as he posed for the picture in the British countryside. Dressed in a white checked shirt layered with a khaki gilet, the prince leans over a wooden gate and smiles into the camera for the snap. After the portrait was shared online by the Prince and Princess of Wales, fans were quick to point out how the young royal bears a striking resemblance to his father at the same age. Photographs of Prince William aged 12 show a similar smile and hair as young George. 'Wow! His features so strongly resemble his dad,' wrote one royal enthusiast. Another said: 'What a fine young man he's going up to be. He looks like his Papa, Prince William, there.' Others agreed, writing: 'As Prince George grows older, his face becomes more similar to his father's,' while a fourth person added: 'Oh my word, he looks just like his dad. He will make a fine King.' After delighting fans with the new portrait of the young royal, taken earlier this year in Norfolk, Kensington Palace then released a sweet behind-the-scenes film of George's birthday photoshoot. Filled with laughter, the footage showed the future King walking hand-in-hand with his sister and brother, while another adorable moment saw George and Princess Charlotte lifting up a beaming Prince Louis. The clip and photograph, taken by one of the family's favourite videographers and photographers, Josh Shinner, echoed Prince Louis 's seventh birthday portrait, released in April. George, who is the eldest of the Wales children with younger siblings Charlotte, 10 and Louis, seven, was first introduced to the world when his mother Kate and father William stepped out of the Lindo Wing with him in their arms. Dressed in a summery powder blue frock, Kate glowed as she and William revealed their first child, George Alexander Louis, to the world. George, who currently attends Lambrook School in Berkshire, will move to secondary education when he reaches the age of 13 - although it has not yet been confirmed which institution his parents have chosen to send him to. Among the schools reportedly being considered were his father's alma mater; Eton College, and his mother's; Marlborough College. While nothing is confirmed yet, the Mail on Sunday reported last month that £63,000-a-year Eton was the frontrunner for Kate and William. A source told the paper: 'All roads lead to Eton.' Sport-loving George has delighted royal fans around the world with public appearances alongside his parents at sporting events; including Aston Villa matches with his father and, most recently, the men's Wimbledon final. Reaction: Royal fans have gone wild over Prince George's likeness to his father in his new portrait, shared to mark his 12th birthday on Tuesday The 12-year-old sat alongside his parents and sister Charlotte to watch defending champion Carlos Alcaraz take on World No. 1 Jannik Sinner - before the Italian smashed the Spaniard to lift the trophy. An animated George watched in apparent frustration as his favourite player dropped sets to Sinner, and appeared downcast at the final result. It has been widely reported in the past that George and Charlotte are huge Alcaraz fans, and the pair have rejoiced at the 22-year-old's Wimbledon wins in the last two years. Indeed the Princess of Wales revealed in 2024 that Princess Charlotte had been supporting Alcaraz as he beat Novak Djokovic to lift the Wimbledon trophy. Meanwhile, George looked solemn as his mother Kate, patron of the All England Lawn and Tennis Club, descended on Centre Court to award Alcaraz the runner-up dish while Sinner was awarded the winner's trophy. Earlier in the day, the future King revealed tennis is one of the sports he plays as an extracurricular activity; humbly suggesting he's 'alright' at the sport. Ahead of the men's final, George arrived with his family to the All England Club where he chatted to doubles champions Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool. Chatting to the royals, Cash asked George and Charlotte if they play 'tennis'. Prince George was first introduced to the world in 2013 when his parents the Prince and Princess of Wales held him in their arms on the steps of the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, London The pair both nodded, before Cash replied, 'Are you good?'. The future king then modestly quipped: 'I was alright'. While the Prince and Princess of Wales have gone to great lengths to protect George's privacy in childhood, they have previously revealed fleeting details of his interests and hobbies. Among them is his love of Aston Villa FC as he takes after his father Prince William in supporting the West Midlands-based side. George has long been attending matches with his father, looking the image of William as he goes through the rollercoaster of emotions of supporting a football team. The Prince and Princess of Wales also revealed insights into their eldest son's music taste in recent years, sharing that he's something of a rock fan. In 2023, during a Big Lunch event to celebrate the King's Coronation, William told a royal fan that George was a fan of classic rock bands. Caroline Mulvihill, from the Rock Choir in Windsor and Maidenhead, recounted a conversation she had with the Prince of Wales during the event. Little lion! Prince George captured by Kate in an England football shirt to mark his sixth birthday in 2019 'We were talking about the kind of music we do in Rock Choir and Will was telling us in their household they have a very diverse music taste and George is very much into AC/DC and Led Zeppelin,' she said. Queen singer Adam Lambert has also suggested the young prince is a fan of the classic rock band of which he is now the frontman, replacing founding member Freddie Mercury. Lambert previously recalled a conversation he'd had with the Princess of Wales at her Together at Christmas carol concert, in which she'd spoken to him about Queen's performance at the 2022 Platinum Jubilee concert. He said: 'It was such an honour. I got to meet Princess Kate, which was fabulous. She was absolutely lovely and down to earth and charming. 'She was talking about her son [George] recalling the performance with the Queen at the Palace for the Platinum Jubilee two years before. Adam continued: 'She was like, he said: "Oh is Adam going to play his guitar?" 'She said, "I think he was confused who was playing guitar and who was who but he remembered who you were." I was like, "Oh, that is cute".'
The Independent
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
William and Kate release new photo of George to celebrate his 12th birthday
Prince George has turned 12, with the Prince and Princess of Wales releasing a new photograph of their eldest child to mark the occasion. The future king – one year away from being a teenager – is pictured outdoors, smiling and relaxed as he leans on a rustic wooden gate in Norfolk. George is wearing a white checked shirt with rolled up sleeves and a dark green fleece gilet, and a blue and white friendship bracelet can be seen on his left wrist as he rests his folded arms on the gate. The image, posted on Kensington Palace's social media, was taken by photographer Josh Shinner earlier this year. It was accompanied by the message: 'Happy 12th Birthday to Prince George!' followed by a cake emoji. George, whose birthday falls during his summer break from school, has one year left at his prep school Lambrook before he moves on to his senior school – with either Eton or Marlborough College thought to be the frontrunners. The prince joined his parents and sister Princess Charlotte at the Wimbledon men's final earlier this month, where he used a fan to keep cool in the Royal Box in the blazing afternoon sun. In June, George was seen nudging his boisterous younger brother Louis on the Buckingham Palace balcony to wave more calmly at the crowd following the Trooping the Colour ceremony. Prince George Alexander Louis was born in the private Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital, Paddington, London, at 4.24pm on July 22 2013, weighing 8lb 6oz. He made his debut in front of the world's media on the hospital steps one day later, wrapped in a white merino wool shawl, cradled in his mother's arms.
Daily Mail
22-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
As Prince George turns 12, why Kate and William have been urged to ensure safety of future King after Charles's concerns: RICHARD EDEN'S DIARY
As Prince George turns 12 today, his parents have been urged to take care to ensure the safety of the future king. A former pilot of the royal helicopters has confirmed that George's father, Prince William, stopped travelling with the then-Prince Charles when he was 12.
CTV News
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Prince William at 43: The making of a modern monarch
Prince William, walks in the Parade Ring on the second day of the Royal Ascot horse race meeting at Ascot, England, Wednesday June 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali) (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali) Afua Hagan is a contributor to focusing on the Royal Family. Based in London and Accra, Hagan is a regular commentator on the royals across a variety of international outlets, and is a leading voice on diversity in Britain. Prince William turns 43 this week, and with each passing year, he grows more into the role he was born to inherit — that of the future king. The road to monarchy is rarely a smooth one, especially in an institution that is steeped in tradition yet increasingly under pressure to modernize. But as the Prince of Wales steps further into the spotlight, it's becoming clear: William is shaping a monarchy that is more attuned to the challenges of the 21st century, while staying rooted in its core mission of service. Prince William now plays the part of a steady hand in the monarchy. As King Charles deals with cancer treatment, William has taken on more duties tied to the country's constitution and important traditions. He hasn't been named as regent, but he helps steer the monarchy's path. He attends significant public events and takes part more and more in private meetings and state affairs showing someone who is getting ready to lead — not by making big statements, but by steady actions. This careful approach shows his support for his father and his sense of how crucial smooth transition is during this fragile time. Royals Trooping the Colour From the left, Queen Camilla, King Charles, Prince William Prince Louis , Prince George, Kate Princess of Wales and Princess Charlott on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping the Colour in London on June 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali) At the heart of this transformation is a shift in tone and priorities. William is more direct, more engaged, and more present than ever before. His recent engagements — from spotlighting the U.K.'s homelessness crisis to tackling environmental sustainability — are not just photo opportunities. They reflect a deeper commitment to using his platform for tangible, long-term impact. The Prince of Wales has started making practical changes to royal operations. He removed Queen Elizabeth II's long-standing 'no selfies' rule, often stopping to take loads of pictures with royal watchers and fans. On top of that, he's simplified communications by sharing his personal number with staff and uses WhatsApp for quick messages. 'If you want me, just get me, just message me,' William told one employee, according to former secretary and keeper of the records Alastair Martin in an interview with The Times. Over the last several years, Prince William has focused on meaningful initiatives rather than just ceremonial appearances. He launched housing projects to help the homeless and backed mental health programs for farmers. Prince William and Cate Blanchett Prince William, left, and Earthshot Prize Council Member Cate Blanchett, right, visit Earthshot Prize Finalist Colorifix, a UK based company which creates sustainable dye for clothing in Norwich, England, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (Eddie Mulholland /Pool Photo via AP) The Earthshot Prize stands as his major environmental achievement – a £50-million initiative spanning a decade to fund innovative climate change solutions. These efforts paint a picture of a future king who wants to guide with both empathy and decisive action. William faces the pressures of being the next monarch while dealing with concerns about the monarchy's popularity. His approach combines global influence with ground solutions to create an effective blueprint. His environmental work has brought him face to face with world leaders like former President Biden and President Macron at global summits. 'He wants it to be modern and meaningful,' reveals a royal insider. Britain VE Day Prince William and Kate, Princess of Wales attend a concert to mark the 80th Anniversary of V-E Day at Horse Guards Parade, London, Thursday May 8, 2025. (Toby Melville/Pool via AP) But this past year had been difficult for the Prince of Wales. He himself described it as the hardest year of his life. The emotional weight of the Princess of Wales's absence from public life due to her cancer treatment deeply affected not just the public, but William himself. He chose to pause some royal responsibilities to stay close to Kate and spend time with their children. That choice reminded people of the person behind the royal title. It made him more relatable. This period revealed a different side of William — one that focuses less on strict rules and more on care and understanding. Along with managing more royal tasks, he carries a visible emotional burden, yet handles it with dignity. Some transparency about Kate's health brought in a fresh wave of openness for the Royal Family breaking away from their long-standing tradition of keeping personal struggles hidden. Estrangement with Prince Harry Ukraine-Prince Harry Prince Harry waves as he leaves the Royal Courts of Justice in London on April 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali) Of course, the elephant in the room remains his relationship with Prince Harry. Their estrangement is no secret, and it continues to cast a long shadow over public perception. William has opted for silence and stability in contrast to Harry's more vocal critiques of royal life. To some, this stoicism enhances William's image as a man of duty, to others it can come across as cold. The lack of reconciliation also represents a missed opportunity — the future king wants to exude unity and maturity in his ascent to the throne. Still, William appears resolute in protecting the institution first, even if that means keeping personal wounds private. 'Strategic succession planning' A source confirms a report saying that the Prince and Princess of Wales have been quietly assembling a team that will help guide their eventual transition to King and Queen. It's a behind-the-scenes move that reflects both foresight and realism — an understanding that the demands of the modern monarchy require not just personal resilience, but the right people in the room. Trusted advisers, communications strategists, and private secretaries with a clear-eyed view of the challenges ahead are already in place, shaping everything from public engagements to long-term philanthropic strategy. This isn't palace intrigue — it's strategic succession planning. A source said that whilst there is no indication that King Charles II will abdicate anytime soon, it just makes sense for the Prince and Princess of Wales to get their ducks in a row for the next stage of their Royal life. William and Kate are not just preparing themselves, but building an infrastructure of stability that will serve the monarchy for decades to come. What we are witnessing is a royal heir coming into his own. No longer just 'Diana's son' or 'Charles' boy,' William is beginning to carve out a legacy that is distinctively his. He's forging a modern model of kingship — one that is less about grandeur and more about grounded leadership. As he turns 43, Prince William stands at the intersection of history and change. The monarchy he will one day lead may look very different from the one his grandmother or even his father shaped. But if his current trajectory is anything to go by, it will be one that strives to meet people where they are — his vision for his monarchy is royal with a small 'r'. And that might just be what secures the monarchy's place in the future.
