Why this week has been so important for Prince George and the Royal Family

When Prince George joined his parents at Buckingham Palace for a tea party for veterans following the VE Day commemorations earlier this week, it marked a new chapter for the second in line to the throne. Although the young prince is only eleven years old, he has slowly been building his royal resume over the years and this was another step. 

The VE Day events had begun with a military parade which George attended alongside his parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales and his siblings, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. Alongside King Charles and Queen Camilla, they watched a ceremonial procession down the Mall.

It was already an important appearance for the young royals as they had joined their parents in greeting the World War Two veterans who were the main guests at the procession.

The Royal Family all then made an appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for the flypast. George, Charlotte and Louis have often appeared on the balcony. But the day took on an extra significance for Prince George when he walked into the tea party with his parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales.

The 11 year old accompanied them as they chatted to some of the veterans who had been invited to tea and cake with the Royal Family to mark 80 years since VE Day. And George thoroughly embraced this first big engagements, chatting away to those he met and asking lots of questions. One veteran told Prince William that he had a lot to be proud about.

As the second in line to the throne walked through the party, he and his parents were photographed next to a huge Union Jack, an image that perfectly summed up his further step into royal life.

Prince George has, of course, been at big royal events virtually from the get go. He made his first appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in 2015, just weeks before he turned two. In a sweet nod, his parents dressed him in a hand me down blue outfit once worn by his dad.

Since then, George has appeared at Trooping the Colour many times. But here have been other big appearances. The young royal was on the balcony in 2022 during Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. 

In May 2023, he not only appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after his grandfather’s Coronation, he actually served as one of King Charles’ Pages of Honour during the Westminster Abbey ceremony. 

The Prince and Princess of Wales are keen to let their children experience as much of a normal childhood as they can. Both George and his siblings are largely out of the limelight with few official appearances. 

However, William and Catherine have slowly been easing George into his future role. One day, he is set to be king. This week’s step is one towards the royal destiny he was born for.