Prince George's last summer before Eton: How William and Kate are making every moment count

The fun began in earnest on Sunday 12 July as George and his sister, Princess Charlotte, joined their parents for the final day of the All England Lawn Tennis Club's annual championships at Wimbledon at the start of their school holidays, showing their tight bond as siblings. George's departure for Eton in September will change the rhythm and dynamics of family life.

Although the young Prince, who becomes a teenager when he turns 13 on 22 July, will only be a short distance from the family's home at Forest Lodge in Windsor, his move to boarding full-time will mean that life as the family of five know it right now will never be the same again. Which is why this summer, more than ever before, will be significant for family bonding and crucial downtime away from royal duties. 

For William and Catherine, of course, as for any parents facing such a significant milestone in their children's lives, it is another reminder of just how quickly childhood passes. The couple have always made clear their desire to give George, Charlotte, 11, and Louis, eight, as normal an upbringing as possible, despite the extraordinary circumstances into which they were born.

With George set to embark on one of the biggest milestones of his young life, this summer carries even greater significance than previous holidays together. "George is about to become a teenager, so it's a huge moment for them as parents. And he is, of course, heading off to boarding school in September," says Simon Vigar, the author of The Four Wives of Windsor. "Eton is just around the corner from where they live, so they're going to be pretty near by, but it’s a big summer ahead for them."

Fellow royal author Robert Jobson agrees. "In the blink of an eye, George will be 18 and they must know that these years will fly by… They've done a very good job bringing up the children and focusing on their own family unit. Despite all the other drama going on in the family, they rise above it, and seeing them out there together at events like Wimbledon is just a really positive, lovely image."

© WireImage

A family affair

In contrast to the under-the-radar visits by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and their children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, to visit the King at Highgrove and to spend time with the Spencer family in Althorp that same weekend, the Wales family were the picture of unity as they attended the tennis championships. 

Despite a late night watching England defeat Norway in the World Cup quarter-finals the night before, George was Royal Box-ready for Wimbledon in a smart jacket and tie, while Charlotte wore a pretty cobalt blue dress, accessorised with a Ted Baker charm bracelet. The children followed their parents' lead in shaking hands with players, officials and ball boys and girls.

The family had brought a card for the British tennis sensation Arthur Fery, who turned 24 that day. "This is for you. Happy birthday," Kate said. Arthur, in turn, offered to play some tennis with George and Charlotte. "I told her if her kids ever wanted to hit, I'm free. It would be good to see them again," he said later.

As her children looked on, absorbing their parents' easy rapport with those in the line-up, William and Kate were on hand to guide and reassure them. "Are you OK?" Kate asked as they waited together in front of the cameras. It was a relatable exchange between a mother and her children in a moment when all eyes were on them.

There was a roar of approval from the crowds on Centre Court as the Waleses took their seats in the Royal Box to watch Jannik Sinner defeat Alexander Zverev in the men’s singles final, surrounded by A-listers including Nicole Kidman, Ben Stiller, Dustin Hoffman, Rami Malek, Raye and Dame Anna Wintour. As temperatures soared to 29°C, the royal children kept their cool with handheld fans and dashed out mid-match to collect sunglasses and hats.

A sweet sibling bond

George and Charlotte larked around with one another and shared sweet exchanges and laughter with their mother and father. It was a charming insight into the fun side of the young Prince, who has sometimes been characterised as more serious than his younger siblings. 

© WireImage

After presenting Jannik with the trophy on the court, Kate took her husband and children to meet him, telling the Italian player that it was "really inspiring" for George and Charlotte to watch tennis played at that level. When Jannik asked if he was still playing, George replied: "Yeah, very much so."

Moments like these offer a glimpse of how carefully William and Kate are preparing their children for public life. Whether cheering on sports stars or attending events such as Trooping the Colour, each outing allows the children to grow in confidence while enjoying the occasion alongside one another.

Prince Louis, who is still only eight, is thought to have spent time with his grandparents Carole and Michael Middleton, rather than sitting through the nearly four-hour-long match in the sunshine. But he enjoyed his own outing with Kate and Charlotte a couple of days earlier, visiting the Opera Holland Park to watch a performance by students of the Royal Ballet School to mark its 100th anniversary.

And he was not far from his mother's thoughts at Wimbledon, where, ahead of the ladies’ singles final on 11 July, she told Jenna Fontanilla, a court coverer, of his hopes of one day becoming a ball boy. "The conversation was just so lovely," Jenna said afterwards. "She's a people's princess. Everyone says she's one of the people, and I love it."

A sporting summer 

Sport will be high on the family's list of holiday activities in the coming weeks. Inspired by their visit to SW19, the children can perhaps play tennis on the courts at Anmer Hall, the family's country residence in Norfolk, and at the Middleton family's home in Bucklebury. There will no doubt be trips to the beach, swimming in the sea, picnics to enjoy and sandcastles to build. 

The family may also spend time cycling or horseriding, walking their beloved cocker spaniels, Orla and Otto, and enjoying the slower pace of life that the countryside offers them. Friends have often described Norfolk as the place where William and Kate can switch off, and before they moved from Kensington to Windsor a few years ago their country home gave the children a freedom that was impossible in central London.

On a holiday to Cornwall earlier this year, Louis was pictured digging into the sand, playing cricket and launching himself from the side of a boat in a wetsuit. The family are also likely to spend time sailing – a pastime Kate is passionate about and one she has encouraged her children to learn during previous summer holidays.

Balancing their public and private lives

Time spent in nature is at the heart of Kate and William's parenting style. They have provided their kids with an idyllic childhood, stemming from their own upbringings in the countryside. Indeed, family time is sacrosanct, and the royal couple will set their public duties to one side for much of the summer to focus on having fun with their children while they are off school.

There is, however, the possibility that the family could make an appearance at the Commonwealth Games, which take place in Glasgow from 23 July to 2 August. Charlotte previously joined her parents to watch swimming, gymnastics and field hockey during the 2022 Games in Birmingham.

© PA

Much as King George VI used to refer to his own family unit with his wife, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, and his daughters, Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret, as "We Four", the Waleses have adopted a similar approach, says Robert Jobson. He points out that the youngsters' good behaviour and the ease with which they’re learning the ropes of their public roles is a source of great pride for their parents.

"The children are the future royal family and they have a role to play, but it's a sort of 'We Four' – or 'We Five' – scenario when we see these moments of them out together," he tells HELLO!. "At Wimbledon, George and Charlotte behaved impeccably and did their parents proud. It's a way of showing us the future while also maintaining the children's privacy, which means they have plenty of freedom away from the cameras."

For all the time spent in formal clothing at public events, away from the public eye George, Charlotte and Louis are given as carefree a childhood as possible. This summer, as every year, that will include spending time with the King – "Grandpa Wales" – at his Scottish country retreat, Balmoral, where they often spend time with their cousins Mia, Lena and Lucas Tindall and Savannah and Isla Phillips, who may also be joined this year by their new stepsister, Georgina.

But despite the much-heralded reunion between Prince Harry and his father earlier this month, there is no expectation that Prince Archie or Princess Lilibet will join the family gathering this summer. Nor is there any prospect of a reunion between William and Harry on the horizon. They have had no contact for several years now and the once unshakeable bond of brotherhood has been shattered by their rift. "It will never go back to the way it was," Simon tells us. Instead, both brothers will continue to focus all their attention on their own family units.

For William and Kate, these precious weeks of the school holidays will offer a chance to savour the kind of ordinary family time they have worked hard to preserve alongside their public lives, and a chance to spend quality time with George before he takes the next big step in his education.

September will mark a new chapter for the young prince. Until then, the Waleses will make the most of every beach walk, tennis match, family barbecue and outing, creating memories to carry with them long after the summer comes to an end.