For the Prince and Princess of Wales, 2024 was surely their most difficult year to date.
Kate’s major abdominal surgery followed by her cancer diagnosis and subsequent chemotherapy treatment certainly made it 12 months to forget. But by the end of last year, the princess was able to join in with several high-profile royal duties as well as host her annual Christmas carol service.
And now as they enter 2025, it is likely the Wales will have to make some major decisions when it comes to their children, particularly Prince George. The 11-year-old, who is second-in-line to the throne, only has the rest of this school year and another school year at his current school Lambrook, before he will have to move on.
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Prince George turns 12 in July
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Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)
George with his siblings Charlotte and Louis
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UK Press via Getty Images)
George will turn 12 in July and it has been rumoured he could go on to attend Eton College like his father or Marlborough College like mum Kate. But with the three children all growing up, one royal expert doesn’t believe it means William and Kate will take on even more duties or that we will see George and his siblings Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis more often.
Speaking to Hello!, royal biographer Robert Jobson says: “William and Catherine have made it clear to the King that they are committed to balancing royal duties with family life and it will be the same this year. Their aim is for George — as well as Charlotte and Louis — to grow into well-adjusted adults, ready for the role when the time comes.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales had a tough 2024
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The decision for George will, of course, be one they feel is best for his future – but it will clearly not be easy. And fellow royal expert Katie Nicholl adds that the Prince and Princess, renowned for doing things their own way, could well surprise royal onlookers with their decision.
“There’s always the possibility of traditions being changed,” she argues. “William and Harry didn’t end up following in their father’s footsteps by going to Gordonstoun [in Scotland ], and it may be that George breaks the Eton mould and ends up somewhere else. “Whatever happens, it’ll be a decision made by William and Kate with George’s best interests factored in.”
Meanwhile, royal specialist Jennie Bond says that the Prince and Princess of Wales should be ‘proud’ of their children. So too should they be proud of themselves.
“I think William and Catherine should be rightly proud of their brood and proud of themselves for guiding them through this incredibly difficult year,” she explained. “I think a shout-out should also go to Carole and Michael Middleton, who have undoubtedly been a vital part of the family this year, both practically and emotionally. I’m sure William and Catherine leant on them very hard during their darkest days.
“And, as we know from Louis’ card on the tree at the carol service, Granny and Grandpa are great playmates for their grandchildren and have put in more than a shift or two playing games with them. I don’t think there’s any reason to suspect we’ll see more of them in 2025, but there will be the usual occasional public appearance as their parents gently acclimatise them to life in the public eye.”
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