Prince George is reportedly “ready to step up” in his role within the monarchy, as the youngster looks towards his future as King.
Royal expert Dr Tessa Dunlop has opened up about the young royal, who recently celebrated his tenth birthday, and how he may have “picked up on” some of the recent criticism to hit the Royal Family, including that of the ongoing feud with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Dr Dunlop said: “They’ve lost Uncle Harry and so forth and he realises he’s got to step up to it – 10-year-olds can often be quite mature.”
She noted that George may have noticed that the family have “pulled together” as of late, and is likely “helping mum and dad do their job”.
The royal expert also added: “A lot has happened in the last 18 months for the Royal Family and they can’t possibly protect him from all of it, there’s been huge events, the Queen has died and that has pushed William and Kate up a gear, up a rank and by definition George as well.”
Dr Dunlop told OK!: “He’ll be aware of that, and I get the impression that he’s almost accepted to an extent, that these aspects ‘come with my role being part of this unique family and I’m going to do that for mum and dad and for Grandpa’.
“We saw him embrace his role at the King’s Coronation and I expect one of the ways to help him was to have some of his friends alongside him, perhaps that was part of helping George normalise his experience.”
Speaking of typical traits of children at George’s age, Dr Dunlop said: “They’re flexible and they can be quite loyal at that age, they want to look after their parents at that age.”
The royal expert added: “He’s seen his parents under considerable pressure on several fronts, the Queen dying, the succession of Charles, the fallout and the criticism from Harry and Megan, which is on some level very personal.
“I expect George is a sensitive soul and will want to play to his role.”
George, who is currently second in line to the throne, is a student at Lambrook School in Berkshire.
Dr Dunlop added that the Prince and Princess of Wales are “probably not yet” doing anything to prepare George for his important future role.
She added that George may get “constitutional training at Eton”, if his royal parents decide to send him there.
