Prince George of Wales

"Prince George of Cambridge" redirects here. Not to be confused with Prince George, Duke of Cambridge.

For other people named George, Prince of Wales, see George, Prince of Wales (disambiguation).

Prince George of Wales (George Alexander Louis; born 22 July 2013) is a member of the British royal family. He is the eldest child of William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales. George is the eldest grandchild of King Charles III and is second in the line of succession to the British throne behind his father.

Prince George
Prince George in 2022
Born	Prince George of Cambridge (2013-07-22) 22 July 2013 (age 10) St Mary's Hospital, London, England
Names George Alexander Louis^[a]
House	Windsor
Father	William, Prince of Wales
Mother	Catherine Middleton

George was born at St Mary's Hospital in London during the reign of his paternal great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II and was third in line before her death. His birth was widely celebrated across the Commonwealth realms due to the expectation that he will eventually become king.

Infancy

 

George leaving the hospital in the arms of his mother in July 2013

Prince George was born on 22 July 2013 in St Mary's Hospital, London, at 16:24 BST, during the reign of his paternal great-grandmother Elizabeth II, as the first child of Prince William and Catherine, then known as Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.^[1]

George's birth was announced by press release and followed by the display of a traditional easel in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace.^[1][2] Celebrations were staged for his birth in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms^[3] and the new-born widely hailed as a future king in the majority of British newspapers.^[4][5] On 24 July, his name was announced as George Alexander Louis.^[6]

George was third in the line of succession to the British throne at the time of his birth. For the first time since the reign of Queen Victoria, three generations in direct line of succession to the British throne were alive at the same time: George; his father, William; and his grandfather, Charles.^[7] George was christened on 23 October by Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, in the Chapel Royal at St James's Palace.^[8][9]

Upbringing

Prince George spent his first months at his parents' cottage on the grounds of Bodorgan Hall in Anglesey, Wales, before his family relocated to Kensington Palace in 2014.^[10][11] George embarked on his first royal tour with his parents in April 2014, during which the Cambridges spent three weeks in New Zealand and Australia. Although he appeared only twice, the BBC described the "nine-month-old future king" as "the star of the show".^[12] The then Prime Minister of Australia Tony Abbott predicted in the Parliament House, Canberra, that George would one day be welcomed there as King of Australia.^[12] Australian media called him "the republican slayer", after polls showed the lowest support for republicanism in the country for 35 years.^[13][14]

In June 2015, George made his first public appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace following the Trooping the Colour parade.^[15] From 2015 to 2017, the family lived at Anmer Hall in Norfolk, where George started at West Acre Montessori School Nursery in January 2016.^[16]

 

George with his father meeting then U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama at Kensington Palace in 2016

On 22 April 2016, George met then U.S. President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama. The encounter later prompted Barack Obama to joke that "Prince George showed up to our meeting in his bathrobe... a clear breach of protocol."^[17]

George started primary school under the name George Cambridge in September 2017 at Thomas's School in Battersea.^[18][19][20] In 2022, the family relocated to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor Home Park.^[21] Since September 2022, George and his siblings, Charlotte and Louis, have attended Lambrook, an independent preparatory school in Berkshire.^[22][23]

George took part in his great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebration in June 2022, including the Trooping the Colour carriage procession.^[24] She died on 8 September 2022 and was succeeded by George's grandfather as King Charles III. George moved up to second in line for the throne, behind his father.^[25][26] On 6 May 2023, George served as a page of honour at his grandfather's coronation.^[27][28] George and his siblings occasionally accompany their parents on royal engagements,^[29] tours, and diplomatic visits.^[30][31]

Public image

Clothing and other products used by George are often sold out, which has been termed as the "Prince George effect".^[32] His parents have been adamant about maintaining their son's privacy as he grows up.^[33] In August 2015, Kensington Palace stated that they wanted all global media to stop taking unauthorised photographs of George, saying that "a line [had] been crossed" in paparazzi methods of locating and photographing him, including surveilling the family and sending children to bring George into view.^[34]

In the British satirical sketch programme Newzoids, Prince George was depicted as a rebellious, foul-mouthed character with a lewd sense of humour.^[35] The 2016 children's book Winnie-the-Pooh Meets the Queen, written in honour of the 90th birthdays of both Queen Elizabeth II and the fictional character of Winnie-the-Pooh, features a cameo appearance from Prince George, to whom Piglet presents a red balloon.^[36] The 2021 animated sitcom The Prince stars a fictionalised eight-year-old Prince George (voiced by showrunner Gary Janetti) who makes life difficult both for his family and for the British monarchy.^[37] The show was cancelled in February 2022 after the first series drew criticism for satirising children.^[38]

Title and styles

George is a prince of the United Kingdom with the official style "His Royal Highness Prince George of Wales".^[39][40] During the reign of his great-grandmother, he was styled "His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge".^[41]

See also

• Family tree of the British royal family
• List of living British princes and princesses

Notes

1. As a member of the royal family entitled to be called His Royal Highness, George does not usually use a family name, but when one is needed, it is usually Mountbatten-Windsor.

References

1. Owen, Paul; Walker, Peter; Quinn, Ben; Gabbatt, Adam (22 July 2013). "Royal baby: Duchess of Cambridge gives birth to a boy – as it happened". The Guardian. from the original on 17 May 2021. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
2. "Royal baby bulletin displayed at palace (video)". BBC News. 22 July 2013. Retrieved 22 July 2013. A formal bulletin confirming that the Duchess of Cambridge has given birth to a baby boy has been displayed on an easel at Buckingham Palace.
3. Davies, Caroline (24 July 2013). "Prince of Cambridge's parents present him to the world at first photocall". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
4. Malkin, Bonnie; Johnson, Daniel (23 July 2013). "Royal baby: what the British papers said". The Telegraph. from the original on 29 April 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2018. News that the Duchess of Cambridge has given birth to the future king has been celebrated on the front page of every paper in Britain.
5. "A Future Monarch is Born". The Times. 23 July 2013. from the original on 4 June 2021. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
6. Davies, Caroline (24 July 2013). "Prince George: royal couple choose name fit for a king". The Guardian. from the original on 6 May 2021. Retrieved 24 July 2013. Sticking rigidly to royal tradition, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have announced that their baby son is to be called George Alexander Louis, to be known as His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge.
7. Johnson, Daniel (22 July 2013). "Royal baby: three generations of heirs in waiting". The Telegraph. from the original on 29 April 2021. Retrieved 14 September 2019. This is only the second time there have been three generations of heirs, the first being in 1894 when Edward VII, George V, and Edward VIII were all in line to succeed Queen Victoria.
8. . Duke and Duchess of Cambridge website. 27 September 2013. Archived from the original on 14 October 2013. Retrieved 27 September 2013. Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are pleased to announce the christening of Prince George will take place on Wednesday, 23rd October at The Chapel Royal, St James's Palace. / Prince George will be christened by The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby.
9. "Prince George christening: Godparents announced". BBC News. 23 October 2013. from the original on 10 February 2021. Retrieved 23 October 2013. The names of Prince George's seven godparents have been announced ahead of his christening later. / They are Oliver Baker, Emilia Jardine-Paterson, Earl Grosvenor, Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, Julia Samuel, William van Cutsem and Zara Tindall.
10. "Prince George Not Yet Sleeping Through the Night, Says His Dad". ABC News. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
11. "Kate Middleton, Prince William and Baby George to be Honoured by Anglesey". International Business Times UK. 3 September 2013. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
12. Witchell, Nicholas (25 April 2014). "Royal tour: Prince George steals the show as support for monarchy rises". BBC News. Retrieved 10 June 2021. 'From the moment he was carried down the aircraft steps... on their arrival in New Zealand on Monday 7 April... He has only appeared twice... On each occasion the appeal of a nine-month-old future king has upstaged even the glamour of a future queen consort and her husband.' & 'Australia's Tony Abbott is a particularly fervent supporter [of the monarchy], even going so far - in a speech in Parliament House in front of William and Catherine - to declare with confidence that their son would one day be welcomed to Australia as King George VII.'
13. "Prince George dubbed 'the Republican slayer' in Australia". The Independent. 16 April 2014.
14. "Prince George dubbed 'Republican slayer' as Royals touch down in Australia on their tour". Evening Standard. 17 April 2014.
15. . The Telegraph. 13 June 2015. Archived from the original on 23 August 2015. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
16. Hunt, Peter (18 December 2015). "Prince George to attend Westacre Montessori School Nursery". BBC News. from the original on 24 April 2021. Retrieved 10 June 2021. The two-year-old will go to the Westacre Montessori School Nursery in Norfolk from January.
17. Millward, David; Allen, Nick (1 May 2016). "Barack Obama jokes Prince George's pyjamas greeting was 'slap in the face' in his final speech at White House Correspondents' dinner". The Telegraph. from the original on 6 May 2021. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
18. Hunt, Peter (24 March 2017). "Prince George to attend Thomas's School in Battersea". BBC News. from the original on 11 November 2020. Retrieved 10 June 2021. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will send Prince George to a private south London primary school in September.
19. Hunt, Peter (7 September 2017). "Prince George starts first day of school". BBC News. from the original on 15 November 2020. Retrieved 10 June 2021. The four-year-old is attending Thomas's Battersea, an £18,000-a-year preparatory school in London.
20. Davies, Caroline (7 September 2017). "Prince George arrives for first day at £18,000-a-year prep school". The Guardian. from the original on 30 April 2021. Retrieved 10 June 2021. The newest and most famous pupil, who will be known as George Cambridge, was escorted into the reception class.
21. Wylie, Catherine (3 September 2022). "Cambridges have moved into new Windsor home, sources say". Evening Standard. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
22. Elston, Laura (22 August 2022). "Lambrook: Inside George, Charlotte and Louis' new £7,000-per term school". The Independent. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
23. Haq, Sana Noor (8 September 2022). "Royal children George, Charlotte and Louis arrive for first day at new school". CNN. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
24. Hallemann, Caroline (4 June 2022). "Prince George and Princess Charlotte Join Their Parents on a Visit to Wales". Town & Country. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
25. "Royal Family tree: William confirmed as Prince of Wales". BBC News. 9 September 2022. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
26. "Queen Elizabeth II has died". BBC News. 8 September 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
27. "Coronation invites issued by King Charles and 'Queen Camilla'". BBC News. 5 April 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
28. "Coronation order of service in full". BBC News. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
29. "Prince William and Kate make red carpet debut with royal children". BBC News. 11 December 2020. from the original on 23 December 2020. Retrieved 2 January 2021. Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis watched a performance of Pantoland at the London Palladium with their parents in the royal box.
30. Hunter, Justine (1 October 2016). "Prince William, Kate and children bid farewell to Canada as royal tour ends". The Globe and Mail. from the original on 5 May 2021. Retrieved 23 May 2017. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge ended their Canadian tour on Saturday in Victoria's inner harbour, greeted by delighted cheers as three-year-old Prince George peered out at the crowd and waved with both hands.
31. Hunt, Peter (17 July 2017). "George and Charlotte join Poland and Germany diplomacy tour". BBC News. from the original on 6 May 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2018. Kensington Palace said Prince George, three, and Princess Charlotte, two, would be seen 'on at least a couple of occasions over the course of the week'.
32. Thompson, Isobel (20 July 2017). "'The Prince George Effect': How a 4-year-old royal is changing the course of children's fashion". Vogue Paris. Condé Nast. from the original on 11 July 2021. Retrieved 11 July 2021. This was the first iteration of what has been dubbed the 'Prince George Effect', and since then, his continuous ability to deplete the shops of stock has become a national phenomenon.
33. Hunt, Peter (29 September 2016). "Prince George and Princess Charlotte in Canada play day". BBC News. from the original on 2 May 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2018. William and Kate are determined their children grow up in private and not in public.
34. "Prince George 'being harassed by paparazzi'". BBC News. 14 August 2015. from the original on 1 April 2021. Retrieved 14 August 2015. Paparazzi harassment of Prince George has increased and photographers' tactics are becoming increasingly dangerous, Kensington Palace has said. / The palace has issued an appeal to world media not to publish unauthorised images of the two-year-old. / Some paparazzi had gone to 'extreme lengths' to take pictures and 'a line has been crossed', the palace said.
35. Kimble, Lindsay (30 April 2015). "Royal Baby: Prince William and Princess Kate Puppets Spoof Upcoming Birth". People.com. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
36. Sulcas, Roslyn (26 May 2016). "Winnie-the-Pooh Meets Queen Elizabeth II (and Prince George) in New Release". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
37. "HBO Max Greenlights Animated Comedy "The Prince" from Creator Gary Janetti and 20th Century Fox Television". WarnerMedia (Press release). 21 January 2020. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
38. Andreeva, Nellie (16 February 2022). "'The Prince' Canceled: Animated British Royal Family Parody Won't Return For Season 2 On HBO Max". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
39. "A new photograph of The King and The Queen Consort". The Royal Family. 4 April 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2023. The King's Pages of Honour will be His Royal Highness Prince George of Wales, Lord Oliver Cholmondeley, Master Nicholas Barclay and Master Ralph Tollemache.
40. "Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis Receive New Titles". Retrieved 12 September 2022.
41. "Royal baby prince named George Alexander Louis". BBC. 24 July 2013. Retrieved 14 September 2022.

External links

 

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Prince George of Wales.

• Prince George at the official website of the British royal family
• Portraits of Prince George of Wales at the National Portrait Gallery, London  
• Prince George of Wales at IMDb

Prince George of Wales House of Windsor Born: 22 July 2013
Lines of succession
Preceded by The Prince of Wales	Succession to the British throne 2nd in line	Followed by Princess Charlotte of Wales
Orders of precedence in the United Kingdom
Preceded by The Duke of Sussex	Gentlemen HRH Prince George of Wales	Succeeded by Prince Louis of Wales