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Prince & Princess of Wales

George at 10: The family of a king to be

For a young future monarch, those around you greatly influence who you become and the sovereign you will become one day. Who are the important and influential people around Prince George who are helping to guide him and keep him grounded? We explore below:

Mum and Dad – The Prince and Princess of Wales

Of course, the most significant influence on Prince George is that of his parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales. Prince William was raised in a tumultuous household and wants to ensure his children have a more structured and content upbringing. He also helps guide George, who is now second in line to the throne, for his future. He was in George’s shoes for most of his life, so he knows all too well the pressures the young royal will face and how to help him deal with them.

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Catherine was raised as a commoner in a very stable household. Her upbringing and influence give the Wales children a chance to be more normal and provide an opportunity to escape the royal fishbowl. The stability she brings to the family is paramount after her husband’s childhood was dominated by so much drama and despair.

Younger siblings – Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis

Prince George has two younger siblings: Princess Charlotte (8) and Prince Louis (5). The trio seems to have a strong sibling bond, and with George one day on the throne, the help of his younger siblings will be vital. He will need to rely on them to help represent the monarchy and to provide honest advice when needed.

Sgt Donald C Todd/ UK MOD © Crown copyright 2023

Royal grandparents – King Charles and Queen Camilla

George is now the grandchild of the monarch and second in line to the throne. He appears to be close with his paternal grandfather, King Charles, and watching his grandpa reign on the throne will give him a template of what to do and not to do when he eventually becomes monarch. Prince George can look to the hard work of both King Charles and Queen Camilla for influence on dedication to charitable endeavours and the country.

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Michael and Carole Middleton

Young George will get invaluable guidance from his maternal grandparents, Mike and Carole Middleton. They created their own business and turned it into a million-dollar company. They successfully raised three children of their own, who have accomplished much in their own lives. Prince George spends a lot of time in the country with Catherine’s family, where he can be a normal boy. He’s not a future monarch with the Middletons but just another one of their beloved grandchildren. This, in turn, will help keep him and his siblings grounded.

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Uncle James, Aunt Alizée, Aunt Pippa and Uncle James

The future monarch is not short on aunts and uncles on his maternal side. His mother, Catherine, has one younger sister (Pippa) and one younger brother (James). Pippa is married to James Matthews and has three children. James is married to the former Alizée Thevenet, and they are expecting their first child. These aunts and uncles are very present in George, Charlotte and Louis’s lives, as are their children. Like the Middleton grandparents, they provide stability and a sense of normalcy the children can’t get anywhere else. These will be moments they will cherish as they grow up and take on their royal roles – especially George, who will one day sit on the throne.

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Zara Tindall

Zara, the daughter of the Princess Royal, is Prince George’s only royal godparent. She is close with his father, William, and has children the same age as the Wales family. The Tindall and Wales children are close playmates and will be a family they can all rely on within the Royal Family. Zara has a no-nonsense attitude and is known for her hard work in her passions. She will help guide George with his passions, make sure he respects his future role and will be there for any questions the young royal may have.

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About author

Brittani is from Tennessee, USA. She is a political scientist and historian after graduating with a degree in the topics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in December 2014. She also holds a master's degree from Northeastern University. She enjoys reading and researching all things regarding the royals of the world. She's been researching, reading, and writing on royalty for over a decade. She became Europe Editor in October 2016, and then Deputy Editor in January 2019, and has been featured on several podcasts, radio shows, news broadcasts and websites including Global News Canada, ABC News Australia, WION India and BBC World News.