Prince George’s relationship with King Charles is all about to change – here’s why
As second-in-line to the throne, Prince George will need King Charles to be a mentor for him as he navigates royal duties. The relationship between King Charles and Prince George will need to change and adapt as the royal youngster grows and takes his place as one of the most senior working royals.
When the King dies and Prince William becomes monarch, George will be the new Prince of Wales, a role Charles filled for many decades and knows better than most. Royal author Robert Jobson has laid bare the bond between grandfather and grandson, telling Hello! magazine: “It’s very much a grandfather relationship with George at the moment, but as he gets older, the King will take on that mentoring role, much as the late Queen did with William.”
William built up a strong relationship with the late Queen Elizabeth when he was studying at Eton, as he would often pop over to see her at nearby Windsor Castle for tea at the weekend. George was Charles’s first grandchild, and he was naturally overjoyed when William and Princess Kate’s first child arrived in July 2013. When George was born, then-Prince Charles began planting trees in his grandson’s name at Balmoral, with the area now touchingly named Prince George’s Wood after him.
He also refurbished the treehouses at his Gloucestershire home Highgrove, meaning George and his younger siblings Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis can now play where their father and uncle Prince Harry played. At the King’s Coronation George was given the role of Page of Honour to his grandfather, alongside Lord Oliver Cholmondeley, Master Nicholas Barclay and Master Ralph Tollemache. His Majesty has also spoken fondly about his other grandchildren, as according to Mr Jobson he “adores” Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte was even named in tribute to him.
In May 2015 when William and Kate welcomed their daughter Charles reportedly said: “I was hoping for a granddaughter – someone to look after me when I am very old.” The King has been spending time at Sandringham recuperating while he receives cancer treatment, but his grandchildren continue to provide him with much joy and entertainment. Over the February half-term holiday William and Kate took their family to Anmer Hall in Norfolk close to the King’s home, where they were able to cheer up their ‘Grandpa Wales’.
Mr Jobson added: “The King will be getting lots of positive energy from the little ones. He needs peace and quiet, but he will have been very happy to see his grandchildren and to spend a bit of time with them.” Sadly Charles has so far been unable to build such a close bond with his younger grandchildren Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet due to them living so far away in Montecito. But if Prince Harry reconciles with his father then hopefully his children can get to know their extended family better, something which is bound to please the King.
