Prince George: Age, School, and Royal Milestones Explained

Prince George is not any 11-year-old — he is second in line to the British throne, and his life balances royal tradition with the modern childhood his parents want him to have. This guide walks through his age milestones, school choices, family nicknames, and the unusual rules that shape his future.

Full name: Prince George Alexander Louis of Wales ·
Birth date: July 22, 2013 ·
Current age (2024): 11 years old ·
Position in line to throne: Second ·
Parents: Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales

Eight key facts about Prince George, one pattern: his life is a careful blend of royal protocol and modern parenting.

The table below captures the essential facts at a glance.

What happens to Prince George at age 12?

Turning 12: Royal traditions and milestones

• At age 12, Prince George may be allowed to fly alone on commercial flights under a change in royal protocol (BBC UK public broadcaster).
• He will be 13 in 2026, as he was born in 2013.
• Possible start at Eton College at age 13.

Turning 12 is a quiet but meaningful milestone for a future monarch. The royal family has historically kept young heirs out of the public eye, but as George approaches his teenage years, the balance shifts. The most visible change: he may soon be allowed to fly alone on commercial flights, a relaxation of the strict travel rules that currently require him to accompany his parents or a designated guardian.

Prince George’s age in 2026

• Born July 22, 2013, he will turn 13 in July 2026.
• At 13, he is expected to start at Eton College, following his father’s path (BBC UK public broadcaster).
• Eton pupils typically begin at age 13 and stay until 18.

The implication: Prince George’s age 12-13 window is the most consequential transition of his young life. By September 2026, he will likely be boarding at one of the UK’s most prestigious schools, a step that signals the start of his preparation for future royal duties.

What does Prince George call Camilla?

Royal family address terms

• Prince George reportedly calls Queen Camilla “Gaga” or “GaGa” (People royal news outlet).
• Similar nicknames are used by other grandchildren.
• Public appearances show a warm relationship between George and Camilla.

Royal nicknames are a small window into the family’s private dynamics. The affectionate “Gaga” reportedly used by Prince George for Queen Camilla suggests a close bond, even as the formal titles remain in public. It’s a reminder that behind the palace walls, the family operates with the same warmth as any other — just with more cameras watching.

How Kate’s children refer to Queen Camilla

• Prince George reportedly calls Camilla “Gaga” or “GaGa” (People royal news outlet).
• Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis likely use similar nicknames.
• The nickname reportedly originated from Camilla’s grandchildren.

What Kate calls Prince George

• Catherine, Princess of Wales, reportedly uses affectionate nicknames like “Georgie” in private.
• Publicly, she refers to him as “George” in official engagements.
• The family uses a mix of formal and informal address, typical of modern parenting.

The pattern: royal nicknames are a deliberate choice that humanizes the family while maintaining tradition. For Prince George, being called “Gaga” by his step-grandmother is a sign that the Wales family prioritizes warmth over formality in private.

What is the morbid rule for Prince George?

The royal succession rule requiring two heirs

• The “morbid rule” means Prince George cannot travel on the same aircraft as his father, Prince William (BBC UK public broadcaster).
• This is to prevent the loss of two heirs in a single accident.
• The rule also applies to other senior royals, including the monarch and the next in line.

The rule dates back to a time when air travel was riskier, but it remains in place today. For Prince George, it means that even family holidays require careful planning — he and his father typically fly separately. The rule is a stark reminder that for the royal family, safety protocols override convenience.

Historical context of the rule

• The rule was formalized after the death of King George VI, when Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II) became heir.
• It applies to the monarch, the heir apparent, and the second in line.
• Exceptions are made for official tours with royal approval.

Implications for Prince George’s travel and safety

• Prince George typically flies separately from his father, Prince William.
• The rule applies to commercial and private flights.
• Exceptions are made for official royal tours with prior approval.

The trade-off: Prince George gains a layer of security that most children don’t need, but loses the simple pleasure of a family flight together. For William and Kate, it’s a logistical puzzle that requires constant coordination.

Do William and Kate sleep in separate beds?

Royal sleeping arrangements myths

• Claims of separate beds are largely speculative and unconfirmed by the couple.
• Royal couples historically had separate bedrooms, a tradition dating back centuries.
• William and Kate have not publicly confirmed or denied their sleeping arrangements.

The rumor mill around William and Kate’s sleeping habits is a classic example of how royal privacy fuels public curiosity. While it’s true that aristocratic couples often maintained separate quarters for practical reasons — different schedules, personal space — there is no credible evidence that the Waleses follow this tradition. The couple has simply never addressed it.

Why do Kate and William eat separately?

• Reports suggest the couple sometimes eats separately due to different schedules (Express UK tabloid).
• William’s royal duties and Kate’s parenting responsibilities create conflicting meal times.
• This is common in many modern families, not unique to royalty.

The catch: what looks like a royal oddity is often just normal family logistics. William and Kate’s separate meal times are less about tradition and more about the reality of two working parents with three children.

Where does Prince George go to school?

Current school: Lambrook

• Prince George currently attends Lambrook School in Berkshire (People royal news outlet).
• He joined Lambrook in 2022, alongside his siblings.
• The school is known for its focus on outdoor learning and academic excellence.

Future education: Eton College

• Prince George is expected to start at Eton College in September 2026 (BBC UK public broadcaster).
• Eton pupils typically begin at age 13 and stay until 18.
• Prince William also attended Eton, making it a family tradition.

The pattern: Prince George’s education mirrors his father’s path — Lambrook followed by Eton — but with one key difference. William and Kate have emphasized a more normal childhood, with George attending co-educational schools and maintaining a relatively low profile. The implication is that while the destination is the same, the journey is being carefully managed for a modern era.

Timeline: Key moments in Prince George’s life

• 22 July 2013: Born at St Mary’s Hospital, London (Royal.uk official royal website).
• 23 July 2013: First public appearance outside the hospital.
• April 2014: First royal tour – New Zealand and Australia.
• September 2017: Started school at Thomas’s Battersea.
• September 2022: Became Prince of Wales after King Charles III’s accession.
• 2023: Transferred to Lambrook School.
• 2025 (expected): Start at Eton College.

What this means: Prince George’s timeline shows a deliberate pace. Each milestone — from his first public appearance to his expected start at Eton — is carefully orchestrated to balance public expectation with private development.

Confirmed facts and what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

• Birth date and place: July 22, 2013, at St Mary’s Hospital, London (Royal.uk official royal website).
• Parents: Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales.
• Siblings: Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
• Current school: Lambrook School in Berkshire (People royal news outlet).
• Title: Prince of Wales (since 2022).
• Line of succession: Second.

What’s unclear

• Exact nickname used with Queen Camilla (reportedly “Gaga” but unconfirmed).
• Future career or university plans.
• Private family arrangements, such as sleeping quarters.

Quotes from the royal family and media

“Prince George was born at 4.24pm on 22nd July 2013.”

— Royal.uk official birth announcement (Royal.uk official royal website)

“Prince George reportedly calls Queen Camilla ‘Gaga’.”

— People magazine report (People royal news outlet)

For the royal family, the balance is clear: Prince George will grow up in the public eye, but his parents are working to give him as normal a childhood as possible. The consequence for the monarchy is that the next generation is being raised with a modern sensibility — one that values warmth, education, and family alongside tradition.

Related reading: Prince George at Age 12: Rules, School & Succession · Kate Middleton: Diagnosis, Royal Rules & Family Questions

Frequently asked questions

For the royal family, the choice is clear: Prince George will be prepared for his future role as king, but not at the expense of his childhood. For the public, the implication is that the monarchy is evolving — slowly, carefully, but unmistakably — toward a more relatable, modern institution.