16 July 2023 , 01:34
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Prince George will be turning 10 on Saturday and will celebrate the same way most young children do.
Alongside a few close friends from school, the young prince will have a birthday party at home - although this will not be held at any ordinary home of course, but the Windsor estate.
Mum Kate will maintain her family tradition of staying up late on Friday to bake him a homemade cake as she does for all her children.
George was the first royal to attend a co-ed school at Thomas's in Battersea, before moving to Lambrook in Berkshire with his siblings when the family moved to Adelaide Cottage from Kensington Palace last year.
He looks set to follow in dad William's footsteps by attending Eton, having looked round with his parents a few weeks ago.
Kate's strict 'household rule' that George, Charlotte and Louis can't break
George lets loose when he plays sport (Getty Images)A serious soul, George is always on his best behaviour, proved when he served as a page of honour for his grandad King Charles in the Coronation service at Westminster Abbey.
And while this big responsibility signified him taking on more responsibility as the eldest sibling, he also does other things differently to his siblings.
A fellow member at the Hurlingham Club, the exclusive private-members sports club by the Thames in West London, says he is 'lots of fun but sensible', adding: "George isn't timid as such, but you will see him hang back while Charlotte and Louis rush forwards.
"He takes his time. He's more cautious."
But it seems he does let loose when practicing his electric guitar - which he chose over classical - and loves to play AC/DC and Led Zeppelin.
With sport, he 'gets stuck in' and has already graduated from tag rugby to the more injury-prone 'contact' version.
And he has been allowed to break from tradition in other ways. While most male heirs to the throne are expected to serve their country in some way, the usual stint of duty is reportedly not something George will not contend with unless he expresses a desire to join.
Historian Dominic Sandbrook said the tradition is changing within The Firm, and future heirs and other members of the royals could even go on to take on civilian roles.
A friend of Prince William reportedly said Kate and William will not stand in the way of George finding his own destiny and passion in life. He said: "In theory, there is nothing to stop George from pursuing a career as an astronaut, for example, if that’s what he wants, and then becoming King later.
‘The rules are different now, he wouldn’t necessarily have to follow the old formula of going into the military and then Royal life. ‘So, could Charlotte qualify as a doctor, for example? I don’t see why not. It’s less of a fishbowl now than when William and Harry were growing up."
'Annoyed' George left 'confused' after learning important lesson at school